The Hurricanes finished their non-conference schedule with a perfect 4-0 record before their bye week.
After looking at what has worked well in their first four games, we can look ahead to Miami’s ACC schedule, which begins next week with a home game against Georgia Tech.
The Hurricanes, who are ranked 18th in this week’s AP poll, have eight games left on the schedule, and if all goes well, they could be playing a ninth at the ACC title game in Charlotte, North Carolina, at the end of the year.
Here is a preview of the upcoming ACC schedule:
Oct. 7: vs. Georgia Tech (2-2)
This is not the same Yellow Jackets team that has been among the ACC’s worst teams the last few years. In the first full season under Brent Key, Georgia Tech has gotten off to a decent start, beating Wake Forest on the road and playing undefeated Louisville closely to start the year. The Yellow Jackets’ losses are to the Cardinals and to Ole Miss.
Georgia Tech will likely be 3-2 entering its game against UM; the Yellow Jackets are 22-point favorites over Bowling Green this week. Miami should be heavy favorites in the 8 p.m. home game, but Georgia Tech won’t be an easy foe.
Oct. 14: at No. 15 North Carolina (4-0)
The Tar Heels are one of three ACC teams ranked ahead of the Hurricanes, and like UM, North Carolina is off this week. The Tar Heels host Syracuse (which is also undefeated) on Oct. 7 before welcoming the Hurricanes to Chapel Hill.
North Carolina features likely first-round pick Drake Maye at quarterback, but the star signal-caller is off to a slow start. He has thrown for 1,187 yards with five touchdowns and four interceptions. Last year, Miami held Maye and UNC to 27 points, which was tied for their second-lowest point total of the season. UM will have to perform similarly this year.
The Tar Heels, who have beaten UM four straight times, are the next major challenge on the Hurricanes’ schedule. If Miami can beat UNC on the road, it could be a signal that this could be a special season for Miami.
Oct. 21: vs. Clemson (2-2)
The schedule does not get easier after UM plays North Carolina. The Hurricanes come back home to face Clemson, who they have not beaten since 2010.
The Tigers have routed Miami in their last four matchups, winning by an average of 37 points. But this could be the most beatable Clemson team in years. The Tigers have already suffered losses against Florida State and Duke. But Clemson still has plenty of talent on its roster, led by former five-star quarterback Cade Klubnik and star running back Will Shipley.
With games against Syracuse and Wake Forest coming up, the Tigers will have a chance to right the ship before facing the Hurricanes, and this could be Miami’s second straight top-25 matchup.
Oct. 28: vs. Virginia (0-4)
To put it bluntly, the Cavaliers are not very good. The Athletic currently ranks Virginia as the No. 102 team in the nation. The Cavaliers showed fight when they battled back against N.C. State last week — too much, in fact, as back-to-back unsportsmanlike conduct penalties likely cost them the game after they tied it up in the last minute.
Even if the Hurricanes are licking their wounds after potential back-to-back losses against North Carolina and Clemson, they should be able to take care of business against Virginia for their homecoming game. Keep an eye out for Cavaliers freshman quarterback Anthony Colandrea, who is more than capable of making exciting plays.
Nov. 4: at N.C. State (3-1)
The Wolfpack are 3-1, but they have not done it very convincingly. They beat UConn by 10 to open the year, but that win does not look so impressive after the Huskies dropped games against Georgia State and FIU. They added a win against FCS Virginia Military Institute and narrowly escaped a struggling Virginia team. N.C. State also suffered a three-touchdown loss to Notre Dame.
The Wolfpack’s schedule between now and November is difficult. First, they face Louisville and 3-0 Marshall, which just beat Virginia Tech, at home. Then N.C. State goes on a short road trip to face Duke before hosting Clemson and Miami in back-to-back weeks.
UM has won four straight games against N.C. State.
Nov. 11: at No. 5 Florida State (4-0)
Prepare yourselves. This contest has the potential to be the game of the year in the ACC. Of course, both teams have to hold up their ends of the bargain between now and November, which won’t be easy.
The Seminoles are a potential playoff team after their rout of LSU to open the year. They survived road trips to Clemson and Boston College and are one of the top teams in the country. Led by quarterback Jordan Travis, running back Trey Benson, wide receivers Johnny Wilson and Keon Coleman and defensive end Jared Verse, Florida State has the current claim for the best team in the conference.
FSU’s schedule before playing Miami is not exceedingly difficult. The Seminoles play struggling Virginia Tech and undefeated Syracuse at home before hosting No. 17 Duke, which should provide a tough test. Then FSU goes on the road to face struggling Wake Forest and Pittsburgh. The Seminoles should be favored in all five of those games.
If neither team slips up before this rivalry game, this could live up to some of the great FSU-Miami games of the past.
Nov. 18: vs. Louisville (4-0)
Under new coach and former Cardinals quarterback Jeff Brohm, Louisville has gotten off to a 4-0 start. Six games separate Louisville from its road trip to South Florida, and the Cardinals have a few tough matchups, including home games against Notre Dame and Duke.
Louisville, who is one of Miami’s three permanent ACC opponents, seems to be improved from last year’s team. Of course, plenty of football will be played between now and mid-November, but this could be a trap game following UM’s rivalry contest against FSU.
Nov. 24: at Boston College (1-3)
The Eagles have been a strange team early this season. They lost a close game to Northern Illinois and barely escaped a home game against FCS Holy Cross. Naturally, you would expect a playoff contender like Florida State to blow out a team like that, but that’s not what happened. The Eagles nearly beat the Seminoles before a late penalty cost them a shot to win the game.
Boston College did not turn that near-victory into momentum, though, suffering a blowout loss to Louisville. Barring a major turnaround for the Eagles, the Hurricanes should end the year on a high note against Boston College.
