Miami Hurricanes are rising in ACC Power rankings

The Miami Hurricanes win and upset losses suffered by Boston College and Virginia Tech have vaulted UM in the ACC Power Rankings.

When the season began the Miami Hurricanes were the clear second best team in the ACC. Miami’s loss to open the season against LSU sent them plummeting in the national rankings and the ACC Power Rankings.

Everyone but North Carolina and Virginia Tech have played four games. Clemson, Duke, NC State and Syracuse are the only undefeated teams in the ACC. Miami is one of three ACC teams ranked in the AP top 25 and four in the USA Today Coaches poll.

Clemson is the only ranked team in the ACC Atlantic. The Tigers are third in the AP and second in the Coaches Poll. Clemson received first-place votes in both polls. Miami is 16th in both polls. Virginia Tech dropped out of the AP Poll but barely hung on and is ranked 24th in the Coaches Poll.

Behind their 4-0 start, Duke is ranked 22nd in the AP Poll and 23rd in the Coaches Poll. It’s the first time the Blue Devils are ranked since 2015. They were knocked out of the polls that week by the Miami Hurricanes Miracle in Durham eight lateral kickoff return for a touchdown on the last play of the game.

Sports Illustrated’s power rankings are not specifically for the ACC. Their Power Rankings are for the top 25 overall. SI has Clemson third behind Alabama and Georgia. The Hurricanes are 16th. Miami is one behind number 15 Central Florida. UM moved up three spots from last week.

Syracuse.Com writer Chris Carlson pens their ACC Power Rankings. Carlson has the Hurricanes back to where they were when the season started four weeks ago. Miami is second in his ACC Power Rankings. They are obviously behind Clemson. Carlson summed up the Hurricanes outlook for the season going forward.

"“A lot of people felt that the traditionally-talented Hurricanes were limited by the inconsistency of quarterback Malik Rosier…It looks like we’re going to find out if that was true.Redshirt freshman N’Kosi Perry came on during the third series against FIU and completed his first 10 passes, finishing 17-for-25 with three touchdowns and an interception. It seems as if the Hurricanes are going to opt for the younger option moving forward.Miami’s defense gave up just 187 yards and recorded 11 tackles for loss. Most of those came in the fourth quarter, when FIU scored all 17 of its points after the outcome had been decided.”"

ACCSports.Com agreed with Carlson and also has the Miami Hurricanes second in the ACC. N’Kosi Perry mania has taken over more than South Florida. It seems like the media has begun to believe in the Hurricanes again with Perry under center.

"“After two years of hype, welcome to the N’Kosi Perry Show. Perry replaced Malik Rosier at quarterback on the team’s third series; immediately, he started to deal, completing 12 of his first 13 passes for 170 yards and two touchdown(s).Perry, who finished the day 17-of-25 (68 percent) for 224 yards and three touchdowns in Miami’s 31-17 win over FIU, looked in rhythm with Mike Harley, who caught all seven of his targets. Miami’s offensive line gave him time to throw and he picked FIU apart.”"

SB Nation’s Clemson site Shakin the Southland has Miami third in the conference behind Clemson and Duke. The Hurricanes host Duke on November 3 at Hard Rock Stadium. Their analysis of the Hurricanes follows.

"“Miami knocked off in-state foe FIU this weekend 31-17…They switched to QB N’Kosi Perry in the first quarter and he performed well. Their QB situation is worth watching. The Canes have looked better since their opening week debacle vs LSU and may again be the favorite for the Coastal.”"

The final ACC Power Rankings we examined this week came from the Mothership, ESPN. They also have Miami second behind Clemson. ESPN asked the question that Miami Hurricanes fans have wanted to know for over a year.

"“Is N’Kosi Perry the answer for Miami’s offense? He certainly looked like it against FIU. And if the Canes have a real threat at QB, there’s every reason to think they’re back at the top of the Coastal Division heap.”"

Miami should be a significant favorite in every game until they play at Boston College at the end of October. Although the Eagles were blown out 30-13 at Purdue this weekend with A.J. Dillon running the football they will pose a challenge on the road. Miami is likely to be favored over BC but not by as many as the games that preceed it.

Three weeks after Miami plays the Eagles they travel to Blacksburg, Virginia to play Virginia Tech. Its tough to know where the Hokies will be at then. They were impressive in their season opener with a 24-3 win over Florida State in Tallahassee.

After their inexcusable loss to Old Dominion over the weekend Virginia Tech dismissed defensive lineman Trevon Hill. Hill was leading the Hokies in tackles for loss and sacks and was fifth in tackles. That was followed up with an announcement on Monday that quarterback Josh Jackson is out indefinitely with a broken left fibula.