Miami Hurricanes fans who thought The U was on the Ohio State University Buckeyes' level found out they were sorely mistaken after a 24-21 loss to the Louisville Cardinals at Hard Rock Stadium on Friday night.
Carson Beck's four interceptions were the main story, but the long-term story arc in Miami Gardens became clear: the Hurricanes are not head-and-shoulders above the large majority of the Power 4. Louisville is a well-coached team under Jeff Brohm, but they were a two-touchdown underdog coming into Week 8. If the Cardinals can beat the Canes, Miami may be vulnerable to the SMU Mustangs, NC State Wolfpack, and Pitt Panthers.
The U might not be a College Football Playoff contender after all. And if they are, they certainly don't qualify as a prospective top dog like OSU does.
X was in agreement with that assessment following the Canes' ugly loss on their home field.
"Miami fans have been serving up topics like who they most want to play in the national title game. Tonight was the latest wake-up call. Win a meaningful, compete in your own conference first before even thinking about challenging Ohio State and Georgia," The Voice of College Football's Mark Rogers wrote.
"I will repeat: It is laughable to think that Ohio State wouldn’t beat the brakes off of Miami," another poster wrote.
"I believe I surprised (another X user) when I made the hypothetical line Ohio State -10 on neutral ground vs. Miami. Maybe that's too low now," one knowledgeable poster wrote.
"WHERE ALL YALL AT THAT SAID MIAMI WAS BETTER THAN OHIO STATE?! COME TO THE FRONT OF THE ALTER!! REPENT!" exclaimed one virtually screaming Buckeye fan.
"Don’t compare Miami to Ohio state again," said another poster, plainly and clear as day.
It was commonplace to group Ohio State and Miami together in college football's abstract tier rankings.
No more, until the Buckeyes lose as a double-digit favorite this season. While Ryan Day has been susceptible to that kind of letdown in the past, Ohio State's defense is operating at peak levels, and the offense is efficient with redshirt freshman Julian Sayin running the show.
The U cannot match OSU on either side of the ball right now. It shouldn't be a conversation unless the Buckeyes prove otherwise.