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ACC Football Power Rankings, Week 8: Pitt pushing for No. 1 spot

By Dante Pryor

Nov 21, 2020; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) passes against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the second quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2020; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) passes against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the second quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 16, 2021; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Mack Brown and Miami Hurricanes head coach Manny Diaz after the game at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2021; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Mack Brown and Miami Hurricanes head coach Manny Diaz after the game at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

team. 825. . 3-4, 0-3. Previous: . Blue Devils . 14

The Cutcliffe hot seat talk began a year ago. After a solid 3-1 non-conference start, the Cutcliffe hot seat began to cool. There were three straight ACC losses, two by a combined score of 86-7, and the hot seat talk resumed.

Duke hasn’t looked good in conference play. The offense has made tons of mistakes, and the defense has not stopped anyone. The Blue Devils have lost a lot of talent in the last couple of years, and it might take that long to develop that much talent again.

However,   with Athletic Director Kevin White retiring, change might come whether Cutcliffe (66 years old) wants it or not.

team. 834. . 2-4, 0-2. Previous: . Hurricanes . 13

Miami has had some tough luck this season. The offensive line has had to endure injuries, and graduate quarterback D’Eriq King and running back Cam’Ron Harris are both out for the season with injuries. That and a 2-4 record has coach Manny Diaz on the hot seat.

If kicker Andres Borregales does not hit the crossbar (or it hits the crossbar and goes through) and quarterback Tyler Van Dyke does not have his pass batted down, is Diaz still on the hot seat? Probably not with a 4-2 record.

The Miami brass has to figure out whether this season is tough luck with injuries and bad bounces or if the program is not progressing the way the administration wants.

team. 826. . 4-2, 0-2. Previous: . Eagles . 12

Boston College’s 33-7 loss to North Carolina State is more of a regression toward the mean of who they are without starting quarterback Phil Jurkovec. The Notre Dame transfer was responsible for the flow of the offense.

Without Jurkovec, the Eagles’ offense does not have the bite with Dennis Grosel at quarterback. Can the Eagles find two wins and make it to the postseason?

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