Miami in College Football Playoff peril after SMU loss that is part of another collapse

No. 9 Miami Hurricanes suffered a setback, losing 26-20 to SMU in overtime, complicating their College Football Playoff prospects. The defeat marks their second loss in three games under head coach Mario Cristobal, who has struggled with November performances. Miami, which started the season strong with wins over teams like Notre Dame and Florida State, stumbled against Louisville two weeks ago before rebounding against Stanford. In the SMU game, a late-game penalty for unnecessary roughness and a controversial timeout call contributed to their downfall. Quarterback Carson Beck's interception in overtime sealed their fate. With a 6-2 overall record and 2-2 in the ACC, Miami's path to the conference championship and a playoff spot is now uncertain.