In our ACC projections earlier this year, I opined (once again) that if the ACC wanted to become more nationally relevant, it needed to happen through Florida State and/or Miami.
There’s a chance this year’s ACC championship game could have both.
While Florida State is up near the top of the BCS rankings with an 8-1 record, the Hurricanes are still building under second-year coach Al Golden. But UM got a necessary 30-12 win over Virginia Tech Thursday night, moving the ‘Canes one step closer to getting to their first ACC championship game and wow it feels weird just typing that.
It won’t be pretty if Miami does win the ACC Coastal Division this year since the best regular season record the Hurricanes can hope for is 8-4. As of tonight, Miami needs to win two more crucial division games against Virginia (winless in ACC play this year) and Duke, both on the road. Although North Carolina defeated Miami last month 18-14, the Tar Heels are serving a bowl ban this season thanks to the NCAA and therefore not eligible for the ACC championship game.
Virginia Tech, meanwhile, drops to 2-3 in ACC play and 4-5 on the season, easily becoming one of the most disappointing teams of 2012. The Hokies need serious help to get back to the ACC title game, but this Virginia Tech team might just be shooting for .500 and a bowl appearance at this point. The Hokies will have a chance to rebound at home next week against Florida State, however.