We are down to the nitty gritty here for Miami’s chances to play in Charlotte. Many things still need to happen this week and next. At the same time, the ACCCG matchup can be decided by Saturday night
if a few matchups go a certain way. As usual, we will root accordingly.
Week 13 bye teams: Boston College, Virginia.
Let’s do some rooting.
FSU @ NC State – 11/21 at 8:00 PM EST, TV – ESPN
How funny would it be if the Wolfpack to put up a spirited effort at home on a Friday night after getting demolished last week at Miami? I’d say pretty funny. FSU administration might want to hold on to Mike Norvell for one more season. But if the Seminoles lose tomorrow night, I don’t see how he comes back. Florida State has to beat the Wolfpack or the Gators simply to be bowl eligible. That’s a shame. Let’s go NC State.
Louisville @ SMU – 11/22 at 12:00 PM EST, TV – ESPN2
The Cardinals are coming off back-to-back upset losses that have tempered a once promising season. The Mustangs are coming off a bye and watching multiple conference foes fall below them in the standings. I genuinely think Jeff Brohm is a really good football coach, but losing to a Cal team that hadn’t done well on the road and a down Clemson squad in consecutive weeks is just bad. He needs to pull out his Miami game plan this week. Let’s go Louisville.
Delaware @ Wake Forest – 11/22 at 12:00 PM EST, TV – ACCN
Early in the season I tend to root against non-Miami ACC teams playing against small schools because I think it would be funny if they lost. I don’t care that much about overall conference performance. Although with how the CFP committee seems to use whatever metrics they want to determine their rankings, maybe I should. Anyway, the Demon Deacons have been a great story all season and I’m rooting for them. I hope they keep the good times going tomorrow. Let’s go Wake Forest.
Syracuse @ #9 Notre Dame – 11/22 at 3:30 PM EST, TV – NBC
I haven’t watched more than the highlights of any Notre Dame game since the Miami matchup to open the season. The national media and CFP committee’s love for the Fighting Irish is absolutely frustrating, especially as a Canes fan. I try not to think about it, but then Cam keeps retweeting statistics, metrics, facts, opinions, etc. that show Miami should clearly be the higher ranked team (no complaints about the retweets, I like to be informed). I am going to do my best not to hate all that is modern college football if Notre Dame remains ahead should both teams finish 10-2. Come on Fran Brown! Let’s go Syracuse.
Duke @ UNC – 11/22 at 3:30 PM EST, TV – ACCN
Well, at least Blue Devils coach Manny Diaz can get back above .500 with a rivalry win over one of the greatest football coaches of all time. That might lessen the sting of three non-conference losses and a blowout home loss to Virginia just a tad. On the other end, a win by the Tar Heels over a talented Duke team would be a nice victory for Belichick as he tries to get his team to six wins and a bowl game. Does Belichick want to coach the extra few weeks and travel to a low-tier bowl game? Probably not. Let’s go UNC.
Furman @ Clemson – 11/22 at 4:30 PM EST, TV – CW
Why does Clemson get to play Furman at home in late November? That’s some SEC stuff. I’m not mad; I’m jealous. Miami should play Virginia Tech or NC State in Week 2 or 3, then play Bethune Cookman in Week 13. I know the Hokies aren’t good this year, but an easy warmup home game (no offense Bethune) would be great before a tough road trip to Pitt to close the season. Calling Miami AD Dan Radakovich. Make this happen! There’s no way Furman beats Clemson in Death Valley Lite, but what the hell. Let’s go Furman.
Matchup of the week
Pitt @ #15 Georgia Tech – 11/22 at 7:00 PM EST, TV – ESPN
These two teams are coming off bad performances, yet only one ended up losing. I sure hope Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi has his team much more prepared than they were vs Notre Dame last Saturday afternoon. On the other side, Georgia Tech is happy to be coming home with a close win at Boston College instead of a two-game losing streak. The Yellow Jackets’ defense has gotten torched lately. Hopefully Mason Heintschel and the Pitt offense can get back on track and pull off the upset. Let’s go Pitt.
Cal @ Stanford – 11/22 at 7:30 PM EST, TV – ACCN
The Big Game in the mid 2020s is an ACC matchup. Honestly, what are we doing? Oregon vs USC is a Big Ten game. Come on man. This can’t continue. Or maybe it can and I’m just naive. NIL combined with the transfer portal has made college football a professional sport for the players. Conference realignment is making college football lose its regionality. Conferences were different and unique in their teams’ roster buildup and style of play. Now, many teams look and play very similarly, especially on offense. It stinks and I don’t like it. Let’s go Cal.
See you next week!
