Miami football has precipitious drop in ESPN FPI
Following its 45-31 loss to Middle Tennessee State on Saturday at Hard Rock Stadium the Miami football team dropped 17 spots in the ESPN Football Power Index. Miami is now 32nd in the FPI, one spot ahead of Texas A&M who defeated the Hurricanes 17-9 in College Station last week.
Miami which was ranked second in the ACC in the FPI is now fourth in the conference. Clemson which is fifth overall in the FPI has the highest ranking among ACC teams. Florida State which is 22nd overall and North Carolina State at 31st is one place ahead of Miami. Miami has the highest ranking among ACC Coastal Division teams.
The loss to Middle Tennessee State dropped the probability of Miami defeating Florida State on November 5 at Hard Rock Stadium to 49.7 percent. Miami has a better than 50 percent chance to win in each of its remaining games according to the FPI. The FPI also projected Miami to defeat Texas A&M and Middle Tennessee State.
Miami is projected with a 37.2 percent chance to win the ACC Coastal and 10.2 of winning the conference according to the FPI. The Hurricanes were given a 60 percent chance to win the Coastal in recent weeks. Miami is still favored to win the ACC Coastal slightly over Pittsburgh who has a 35.8 chance to top the division.
After a bye this week the Miami football team will host North Carolina on October 8 to begin ACC play. Miami is given a 74 percent chance to defeat North Carolina. The Tar Heels are given a 15.5 percent chance to win the Coastal. Miami will be challenged by a North Carolina offense averaging 502 yards per game.
The Tar Heels are allowing 495.3 yards per game. Miami allowed 507 yards and four plays of 69 or more yards in the loss to Middle Tennessee State. Miami can put the non-conference losses behind finishing the rest of the season strong. The Hurricanes still have a chance to win their second ACC Coastal Division title.