The Miami Hurricanes have made an unexpected leap into the College Football Playoff (CFP) Final Four, transforming from long shots to contenders in just a few weeks. After a remarkable run, Miami is now a 2.5-point favorite against Ole Miss in the upcoming semifinal. In the other semifinal, Indiana is favored by 4 points over Oregon.
On December 7, 2023, just one week before the final CFP rankings were released, the Hurricanes were seen as 10-1 to make the playoff and approximately 150-1 to win the national championship. However, they managed to secure their playoff spot by edging past Notre Dame, and have since achieved consecutive upsets, including a significant victory over the defending champion Ohio State.
The loss for Ohio State was particularly impactful for the betting public. Throughout the season, more bets had been placed on Ohio State to win the national championship than any other team at various sportsbooks. Despite this, the Hurricanes remained a popular choice among Florida bettors, especially following their recent performance.
A noteworthy event occurred on November 30, when a bettor placed a $2,500 wager on Miami at 150-1 odds for a potential net win of $375,000. Hard Rock Bet, the only licensed sportsbook in Florida, reported a surge in action on the Hurricanes throughout the season. Miami’s upset victory against Ohio State generated more betting activity than any other game this season at Hard Rock Bet, with the earlier matchup against Notre Dame being the second most bet on.
Neil Walsh, senior vice president of Hard Rock Bet, noted the significance of Miami’s popularity: “When it comes to national title liability, it’s all about the U. Miami has been our most popular team all year, and because futures were written at much longer prices than past Florida title runs, the liability is on another level.”
As the Hurricanes prepare for their semifinal clash, their journey serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of college football. Fans and bettors alike will be keenly watching as Miami attempts to continue their remarkable run and solidify their status as a formidable contender in the CFP.
