College Football Rankings 2016: Projected AP Top 25 after Week 7
By Zach Bigalke
After losing their undefeated status in a heartbreaker against rival Florida State, Miami seemed to have no answers when North Carolina visited Hard Rock Stadium this Saturday. The defense adjusted well and pitched a shutout in the second half, but by then the damage had already been done as the Tar Heels were ahead 20-3 at the intermission. Brad Kaaya threw for 224 ineffectual yards and neither Joseph Yearby nor Mark Walton were able to top 100 yards rushing. On the day the hosts were just four of 15 on third downs, as they failed to sustain drives all game.
The Hurricanes now have just five days to prepare for their Thursday night road game at Virginia Tech. A third straight loss would likely knock Miami completely out of the Top 25 as well as out of the ACC Coastal race. If they survive the Hokies, Miami plays Notre Dame in South Bend to conclude October. Home games against Pittsburgh and Duke open and close the November schedule, with a road swing at Virginia and NC State in between. Mark Richt’s team no longer has control over its own destiny in the conference race.