ACC power rankings: Miami’s resurgence comes at the perfect time
When the ACC expanded to get Miami, it expected a football juggernaut.
Thirteen years later, Miami has delivered. Better late than never. A sluggish performance in a 24-19 win at North Carolina aside, the Canes are 7-0 and ranked No. 9 in the country.
With Florida State and Louisville in the tank, the ACC needs another name-brand program in the national title race. Clemson (7-1) is right there, again, and Virginia Tech (7-1) is lurking. But the Hokies, only in the ACC after some political bargaining by the Virginia governor in 2003 when the league went after Miami, haven’t been a problem for the ACC.
Miami, which joined the ACC with Virginia Tech in 2004, has. The Hurricanes went 11-1, 12-0, 12-1 and 11-2 in the four years prior to joining the ACC and have not won 10 games in a season since. They also have yet to play in the ACC title game. A home win over Virginia Tech on Saturday would change that.
Wins over Virginia Tech and Notre Dame the next two weeks would kick off a nostalgia tour for “The U” by the national media.
The ACC has been fine without Miami being great. Thanks to Clemson and FSU. But it would help the league, this season and beyond, if Miami would finally hold up its end of the bargain.
That Miami is also part of the one of the most unique storylines in college, all the better. Second-year coach Mark Richt has his current team unbeaten and in the top 10 and so is former team (No. 2 Georgia). Given most successful college coaches have an NFL stop in between college jobs, this might be a first. It’s certainly comes at the best possible time for the ACC.
Joe Giglio: 919-829-8938, @jwgiglio
ACC Power Rankings
1. Clemson
Record: 7-1 (5-1 ACC)
Last game: vs. Georgia Tech, W, 24-10. Next game: at N.C. State.
A healthy Kelly Bryant makes a big difference for the Tigers.
2. Miami
Record: 7-0 (5-0 ACC)
Last game: at UNC, W, 24-19. Next game: vs. Virginia Tech.
Avoided a pitfall in Chapel Hill, can all but clinch first Coastal title with a home win over Hokies.
3. Virginia Tech
Record: 7-1 (3-1 ACC)
Last game: vs. Duke, W, 24-3. Next game: at Miami.
Justin Fuente has the magic touch with quarterbacks. Josh Jackson has 17 touchdowns and 4 interceptions in his first eight college starts.
4. N.C. State
Record: 6-2 (4-0 ACC)
Last game: at Notre Dame, L, 35-17. Next game: vs. Clemson.
Didn’t look like the same team in South Bend. The Fighting Irish had a lot to do with that.
5. Georgia Tech
Record: 4-3 (3-2 ACC)
Last game: at Clemson, L, 24-10. Next game: at Virginia.
For whatever reason, the Jackets almost always struggle in Charlottesville. They are 2-10 there since 1992.
6. Wake Forest
Record: 5-3 (2-3 ACC)
Last game: vs. Louisville, W, 42-32. Next game: at Notre Dame.
Season-ending injury to standout freshman receiver Greg Dortch (53 catches, 722 yards, 9 TDs) is a killer.
7. Boston College
Record: 3-3 (5-4 ACC)
Last game: vs. Florida State, W, 35-3. Next game: vs. N.C. State (Nov. 11).
Unbelievable midstream turn-around for Steve Addazio’s crew. They get a week off before a visit from their favorite ACC opponent.
8. Syracuse
Record: 4-4 (2-2 ACC)
Last game: Off. Next game: at Florida State.
Just as we all expected in August: that four-game closing stretch is going to be a bear for the Orange with two winnable games (FSU and Louisville) and two tough ones with red-hot division powers (Wake and BC).
9. Louisville
Record: 5-4 (2-4 ACC)
Last game: at Wake Forest, L, 42-32. Next game: vs. Virginia (Nov. 11).
It’s not Lamar Jackson’s fault. He leads the ACC in rushing yards (1,029) and passing yards (2,808).
10. Florida State
Record: 2-4 (2-5 ACC)
Last game: at Boston College, L, 35-3. Next game: vs. Syracuse.
Brutal effort in Boston College loss. Jimbo Fisher needs to hit the reset button for 2018.
11. Pittsburgh
Record: 4-5 (2-3 ACC)
Last game: vs. Virginia W, 31-14. Next game: vs. UNC (Nov. 9).
The Panthers are feeling froggy with two straight wins. They get a week off and then a visit from UNC.
12. Virginia
Record: 5-3 (2-2 ACC)
Last game: at Pittsburgh, L, 31-14. Next game: vs. Georgia Tech.
Perfect spot on Georgia Tech’s schedule: after Clemson, before Virginia Tech. This feels like the Wahoos’ Super Bowl.
13. Duke
Record: 4-5 (1-5 ACC)
Last game: at Virginia Tech, L, 24-3. Next game: at Army (Nov. 11).
Five straight losses for Duke. David Cutcliffe gets a week off to try and fix the offense.
14. UNC
Record: 1-8 (0-6 ACC)
Last game: vs. Miami, L, 24-19. Next game: at Pittsburgh (Nov. 9).
Nobody needs the bye week more than Larry Fedora’s beat-up team.
This story was originally published October 30, 2017 at 11:22 AM with the headline "ACC power rankings: Miami’s resurgence comes at the perfect time."