Miami football picked second in ACC Coastal by 247 Sports

The Miami football team is picked second in the ACC Coastal Division by 247 Sports in an article posted on Monday. North Carolina was picked to win the Coastal with 133 points and 15 first-place votes to 124 and five for Miami from 21 247 experts who voted. Miami plays at North Carolina on October 16.

Clemson as expected is the unanimous favorite to win its seventh straight ACC Championship. Manny Diaz received three votes for ACC Coach of the Year behind Jeff Hafley of Boston College, seven and Mack Brown of North Carolina. Brown has owned Diaz, his former defensive coordinator winning both games.

Miami at North Carolina was named the ACC Game of the Year with 13 votes among the 21 voters. Before Miami can focus on North Carolina, the Hurricanes open the season against Alabama on September 4. The Hurricanes also host Appalachian State, Michigan State and Central Connecticut State in non-conference.

Virginia plays at the Miami football team on September 30 before the Hurricanes have a bye week in between playing the Cavaliers and Tar Heels. Miami could have a path to winning the Coastal without winning in Chapel Hill. The Tar Heels had questionable losses against Florida State and Virginia in 2020.

"Coastal Division1. North Carolina, 133 (15)2. Miami, 124 (5)3. Pitt, 83 (1)4. Virginia Tech, 775. Virginia, 696. Georgia Tech, 507. Duke, 26"

North Carolina was not the unanimous selection in the Coastal. Cory Smith who writes for North Carolina State 247 site Pack Pride picks the Miami football team to win the Coastal. North Carolina needs more consistency in 2021 and lost most of their skill position players on offense except for quarterback Sam Howell.

"Miami the team to beat in Coastal DivisionMiami’s early tests will lead to winning the ACC Coastal crown. While the Hurricanes were smacked around at home last season against UNC, this year could be much different. The Tar Heels return Sam Howell, but have a completely different offense around him.With D’Eriq King and his group getting tested early on against Alabama and Michigan State — I’d put Appalachian State in that mix, too — this team will know a lot about itself heading into ACC play.Mack Brown’s teams have also lost some games they shouldn’t in recent years like Florida State and Virginia last season, so the Canes might not even need to win the matchup in Chapel Hill to take home the Coastal division. — Cory Smith, Pack Pride"

Miami won 44-41 at North Carolina State in 2020 in a game King threw for 430 yards and five touchdowns and ran for 105. It was only the second 400/100 yard game by a QB in the last five years. The other was by King when he played for Houston. Miami plays at North Carolina State on October 23 in 2021.

Miami will be tested throughout the season. Appalachian State finished the 2020 season ranked 18th. Michigan State will be improved in their second season under Mel Tucker. Central Connecticut State is a good FCS team. The 247 article projects the ACC to be the deepest it has been recently.

Virginia returns dual-threat QB Brennan Armstong. Miami needs to be focused with North Carolina the next game. Miami cannot afford to take Florida State lightly after dominating the Seminoles 79-20 the last two seasons. The Hurricanes won the games they were expected to in 2020, which needs to continue in 2021.