Rece Davis Picks Program That Looked Like a College Football Playoff Team in Week 1

In the past, the College Football Playoff has not had many ACC teams make it. The Clemson Tigers and Florida State Seminoles were the only ACC teams in the four-team format era.

Clemson made playoff appearances from 2015-18, winning two national titles in 2016 and 2018. The Tigers also went to the playoff in 2019 and 2020. Florida State last made the playoff in 2014 and lost to the Oregon Ducks in the first round.

Rece Davis discussed the top games in Week 1 on a recent " College GameDay Podcast " episode. One of the games he discussed was the matchup between the Miami Hurricanes and Florida Gators in Gainesville. Miami throttled its in-state rival and won 41-17.

Davis called the Hurricanes a playoff team after seeing Miami and quarterback Cam Ward dismantle the Gators. Miami has never made the playoff since its first season in 2014.

"...In one weekend, they're at crisis stage because you can't turn in a performance like that," Davis said. "Even if Miami proves to be national champion. Which Miami, by the way, looked awesome. They looked really good. Cam Ward was sensational, and that looked like a playoff team."

Miami almost made the playoff in 2017. The Hurricanes were 10-0 and ranked third, with the Pittsburgh Panthers in the regular season finale and Clemson in the ACC Championship. However, Miami lost both games and dropped to 10th, missing the playoff.

Ward shined in his debut for Miami. He finished the game with 385 passing yards and three touchdowns. Ward has another chance to shine in Week 2.

Miami faces the Florida A&M Rattlers next. Kickoff from Coral Gables is on Sept. 7 at 6 p.m. ET on ACC Extra and ESPN+.

Related: Rece Davis Points to Root of Florida State's Struggles After 0-2 Start