Syracuse entered Hard Rock Stadium as a 21-point underdog but stunned the Miami faithful with a relentless offensive performance. Quarterback Garrett Shrader threw for 258 yards and three touchdowns, while running back Sean Tucker rushed for 118 yards and another score. Miami’s vaunted defense, which had been ranked among the top 10 nationally, was unable to contain Syracuse’s high-octane attack.

Prior to the Syracuse loss, Miami was considered to be a borderline CFP contender. Oddsmakers had the Hurricanes as high as a 25% chance to make the four-team playoff. However, after the defeat, Miami’s CFP odds have plummeted to near zero, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.

“This is a major setback for Miami’s season,” said ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit. “They have to find a way to regroup quickly and focus on winning the ACC Coastal Division. But even that may not be enough to salvage their CFP hopes.”

The loss to Syracuse is likely to have far-reaching implications for Miami. Head coach Mario Cristobal is now facing increased scrutiny, and the team’s morale may be shaken. Furthermore, the defeat could damage Miami’s recruiting efforts and make it more difficult to attract top-tier talent in the future.

Miami still has five regular season games remaining, but their chances of reaching the CFP are effectively gone. They now need to focus on finishing the season strong and winning the ACC Coastal Division to earn a berth in the ACC Championship Game. However, even a victory in Charlotte may not be enough to salvage a disappointing season for the Hurricanes.