Miami football falls to lower third of week 3 ACC power rankings
The Miami football team that began the season ranked in the top 15 nationally has fallen to the bottom third of the ACC Power Rankings. A 38-17 loss at home to Michigan State put Miami at ninth or 10th in the consensus ACC Power Rankings. The Hurricanes host Central Connecticut State on Saturday.
The ESPN Football Power Index ranks the Miami football team highest in the ACC at seventh. Miami had the biggest fall in the FPI among ACC teams from 20th to 35. Several national sites publish ACC power rankings. After ESPN, 247 Sports ranks Miami ninth in the ACC in their week three power rankings.
Miami had the third-most votes to win the ACC during the preseason. Clemson was the prohibitive favorite behind Clemson and North Carolina. The Hurricanes were picked second in the ACC Coastal behind the Tar Heels. Miami is now fifth in the ACC FPI rankings in week three. North Carolina is currently second behind Clemson.
Virginia Tech is fourth, Pittsburgh fifth and Virginia sixth in the ACC FPI. The Miami football team plays all of the ACC teams ahead of them in the FPI except Clemson. The Hurricanes open ACC play at Hard Rock Stadium on September 30 against Virginia. Miami has a bye following their game against the Cavaliers.
"247 Sports ACC Power Rankings9. MIAMI HURRICANES (1-2)This is not a promising start to Year 3 for Manny Diaz. The loss to Alabama was fine, expected even, but the Hurricanes are a late comeback away against Appalachian State from being 0-3 and Diaz facing tremendous pressure after the first quarter of the season.Miami is giving up 5.7 yards per play and ranks last in the ACC in total defense. And through three games, the Hurricanes are minus-5 in turnover margin, second-worst to Florida State in the conference.D’Eriq King has to play better, Miami’s offensive line has to block and the rushing attack — which has been non-existent — needs to wake up."
Brad Crawford of 247 hits on most of the problems ailing Miami this season. The Hurricanes are also last in FBS in tackling according to Pro Football Focus via Inside the U. Diaz assumed control of the Miami defense for the 2021 season after Miami collapsed against North Carolina last year. Little has gone right for Miami.
In the CBS Sports rankings, Miami fell 25 spots to 55th overall. CBS ranks all of the FBS teams from 1-130. Miami is seventh in the ACC Power Rankings according to CBS. Clemson tops the ACC at 11th via CBS and North Carolina is first in the Coastal at 21st. Miami had the fourth biggest fall of the week.
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The Hurricanes are not going to move up much this week. Hosting FCS Central Connecticut State, Miami has to come out and play like a different team against the Blue Devils on Saturday. A loss would be disastrous. Miami has a chance to reassert themselves with a victory over Virginia in the ACC opener on September 30.