When the dust settled after Virginia stunned No. 8 Florida State 46-38 in double overtime, the College Football Playoff picture within the ACC shifted dramatically. What once felt like a three-horse race has now morphed into a one-team mission: Miami must carry the conference’s hopes forward.
A Blow That Reverberates Across the ACC
Florida State’s defeat didn’t just drop them from the undefeated ranks — it exposed how fragile expectations were built. They entered the season buoyed by an opening upset of Alabama, drawing national attention and optimism. But one loss laid bare that they weren’t quite elite just yet.
The ACC, already struggling to prove its strength against other Power Five conferences, lost one of its marquee contenders overnight. With FSU crashing back to earth, the spotlight now fully turns to Miami.
Why Miami Stands as the Last Hope
Before that Friday night bout, the ACC looked as though it might have multiple national title contenders. Florida State, Miami, and even Georgia Tech had brief glimpses of aspiration. But those hopes faded fast:
- The ACC’s nonconference track record has been weak — with far more losses than wins against Power Five or Notre Dame opponents.
- Florida State’s loss underlined a critical truth: a contender can’t afford to falter in September.
- Miami remains undefeated and retains the positioning needed to chase a playoff berth, unlike many of its conference rivals.
Now Miami doesn’t just carry its own season — it carries the ACC’s legitimacy on the national stage.
The Stakes Ahead
Miami’s upcoming game against FSU becomes even bigger. A Hurricanes win would not only boost their résumé — it would bury any lingering doubts about who leads the conference.
For Florida State, redemption is still possible, but the margin for error vanishes. They’ll need near-perfect performances the rest of the way to reclaim their place among the contenders.
The ACC, meanwhile, now has a narrow window to validate its strength. If Miami can succeed where FSU faltered — in high stakes, late season matchups, and against elite opponents — the league may once again earn respect. But failure would confirm that it lacks top-tier depth in this era.
If you like, I can also sketch out Miami’s schedule and challenges from here or how the ACC stacks up against other conferences for 2025 playoff strength. Do you want me to do that?
