Syracuse, New York – In a stunning upset that shook up College Football Playoff contention, the Syracuse Orange handed the No. 6 Miami Hurricanes a devastating 42-38 loss at JMA Wireless Dome on Saturday.

The game saw Miami fall short of their ACC title aspirations after a closely fought battle that ultimately ended with Syracuse securing the win by running out the clock in the closing minutes. A pivotal moment came when a defensive mistake by Ahmad Moten allowed Syracuse to seal the victory with a critical first down.

The loss for Miami means that Clemson will now face SMU for the ACC title, with the winner earning a spot in the coveted College Football Playoff. Despite the Hurricanes taking a commanding 21-0 lead early in the game, Syracuse mounted a remarkable comeback in the second half to snatch the lead and secure the win.

Quarterbacks Kyle McCord of Syracuse and Cam Ward of Miami put on impressive performances, but it was McCord who shined with 380 yards and three touchdowns. Miami’s hopes took a hit, particularly for Ward’s Heisman candidacy, as the Hurricanes suffered a second loss in November.

Miami’s decision to kick a field goal instead of going for a touchdown in the final minutes has sparked debate and scrutiny. The choice to settle for three points when a touchdown was needed to take the lead left many questioning the strategy employed by Miami’s coaching staff.

With Miami now relying on an at-large berth to potentially make it to the playoff, their path remains uncertain. Should Clemson emerge victorious in the ACC title game, it could leave Miami on the outside looking in, facing the possibility of missing out on the playoff entirely.

The outcome of this game has not only altered the ACC landscape but has also injected a sense of unpredictability into the race for the coveted spots in the College Football Playoff. As teams jostle for position and opportunity, the aftermath of this upset will undoubtedly reverberate throughout the college football landscape.