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If there were an award for routinely looking better on paper than your opponent and losing anyway, Miami would have that thing wrapped up. And minted, probably. The Hurricanes have been better on a per-play basis than their opponent in six of seven games this season, and all they have to show for that is a lousy 3-4 record.
And I would have figured losing to Georgia Tech at home was beyond the reach even of these Hurricanes. Whoops!
Overall, the Canes are averaging 6.2 yards per play while allowing only 4.7—that kind of differential normally leads to decidedly positive results. But this Miami team is intent on bucking all logic so that it can be here for you, the grieving ACC football fan, as you attempt to cheer yourself up after another rough week. Had a disappointment at Boston College, did you? Well here’s Miami losing at home to the league’s worst team. You’re welcome.
ACC Standing by SP+ Rating
| Team | Wk 9 SP+ Rtg (Rank) | SP+ Rank Change | Offense Rank | Defense Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | Wk 9 SP+ Rtg (Rank) | SP+ Rank Change | Offense Rank | Defense Rank |
| Clemson | 26.2 (6) | 2 | 12 | 3 |
| Miami | 11.8 (31) | -1 | 57 | 20 |
| Virginia | 8.1 (35) | 11 | 95 | 14 |
| Wake Forest | 4.6 (45) | 4 | 39 | 67 |
| Pitt | 3.5 (52) | 1 | 110 | 15 |
| UNC | 2.6 (55) | 1 | 43 | 72 |
| Duke | 2.6 (56) | -8 | 88 | 40 |
| Florida State | 2.6 (57) | 1 | 42 | 73 |
| Virginia Tech | 2.1 (59) | 8 | 60 | 60 |
| NC State | 2.0 (60) | -8 | 84 | 45 |
| Boston College | 1.1 (62) | 7 | 32 | 94 |
| Louisville | 0.9 (63) | -6 | 31 | 100 |
| Syracuse | -0.1 (67) | -1 | 90 | 49 |
| Georgia Tech | -6.6 (95) | -9 | 111 | 52 |
I prefer to think that SP+ has given up on attempting to gauge the idiot middle of this league, which is why there’s seven teams ranked between 55 and 63. Who wants to be No. 59 next week? Louisville? Sure, what the hell, why not.