Rule number one in college football: Upsets are always possible.
It doesn’t matter if you’re in the rankings or not at home. You never know when some brave underdog will try to prey on you.
On Friday night, the Miami Hurricanes started college football with that warning. The Virginia Tech Hokies were a weak team that scored a lot of touchdowns, and they almost suffered their first loss to Cam Ward and the team.
In fact, a Hail Mary touchdown would have to be reversed on the final play of the game for the Hurricanes to get the W.
College football rule number two: Just win.
It looks like Miami could advance to the College Football Playoff if they win the ACC. Fear of Virginia Tech isn’t going to change that.
However, your ranking may drop slightly.
Let’s take a look at the rankings assuming the top teams win each matchup this weekend…
Georgia Bulldogs (Previous standings: 2) Texas Longhorns (1) Ohio State Buckeyes (3) Tennessee Volunteers (5) Ole Miss Rebels (6) Penn State Nittany Lions (9) Alabama Crimson Tide (4) Miami Hurricanes (7) Oregon Ducks (8) Utah Utes (10) Missouri Tigers (11) Michigan Wolverines (12) Louisville Cardinals (15) USC Trojans (13) LSU Tigers (14) Clemson Tigers (17) Iowa State Cyclones (18) Oklahoma State Cowboys (20) BYU Cougars (22) Texas A&M Aggies (24) Boise State Broncos (25) Illinois Fighting Illini (19) Notre Dame Fighting Irish (16) Washington State Cougars (NR) Indiana Hoosiers (NR)
Miami made it through the game against Virginia Tech unscathed. But the Hokies proved that the ACC slate is no easy feat.
At home, the Hurricanes almost lost to a team that, frankly, hasn’t been playing very well this season. Cal and Louisville will be licking their lips. And who’s to say Florida State won’t be ready by the end of October?
Miami still has a clear path to the ACC title and an undefeated record, but it leaves the door open for teams like Alabama and Penn State to climb higher in the rankings.
If Alabama were to lose to Georgia (without a blowout loss), the loss would be greater than most top-10 teams’ wins. Don’t fall too far.
Meanwhile, Penn State will have a chance to pick up a quality win against Illinois on Saturday. If they win there, the Nittany Lions have room to rise.
Fortunately for Miami, Oregon State has looked shaky in too many games this season. It’s impossible for the Ducks to take that spot until they win against Ohio State in a few weeks.
