Louisville Miami Football

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — The University of Louisville football team is about to discover which teams truly are the best ones in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Starting Saturday against the Miami Hurricanes at noon at L&N Cardinal Stadium, the Cardinals will play three of their next four against opponents that sit ahead of them in the ACC standings.

Miami, Clemson (Nov. 2) and Pitt (Nov. 23) are a combined 8-0 in league play. The Hurricanes, Tigers and Panthers are ranked in the Top 20 of the Associated Press poll. The only time any of the trio slipped was Clemson’s season-opening stumble against Georgia.

Here’s my weekly snapshot ratings of the ACC 17-team scrum.

1. Clemson (5-1, 4-0) — The human polls say Miami is better than Dabo Swinney’s team. Jeff Sagarin’s computer predictor formula says the Hurricanes have played the fourth-easiest schedule in the ACC and ranks Clemson slightly better.

2. Miami (6-0, 2-0) — ESPN’s matchup predictor puts the Hurricanes’ win probably at 90% or greater in three of its last six games and at 70% or more in two others. The one exception: A 55.5% chance at Louisville Saturday. A tasty one for both teams.

3. SMU (5-1, 2-0) — After an off week, the Mustangs have another off week booked at Stanford Saturday night.

4. Pitt (6-0, 2-0) — The Panthers are winning the close games they kicked away last season, beating Cincinnati, West Virginia and California by a combined 7 points. Whatever works.

5. Louisville (4-2, 2-1) — If the Cards are going to make their move in the ACC race, they have to start Saturday against Miami, which has given up a lot of points in its last two games.

6. Georgia Tech (5-2, 3-2) — With Notre Dame in town, the Yellow Jackets moved their game from campus to Mercedes Benz Stadium. Tech has the third-best rushing defense in the ACC and is capable of delivering an upset as an 11 1/2 point underdog Saturday afternoon in Atlanta. If Notre Dame can lose to Northern Illinois (4-2), the Irish can lose to anybody.

7. Syracuse (5-1, 2-1) — The Orange are a 2-point home loss to Stanford (ouch) from being undefeated and have a chance for their third win against a Top 25 opponent Saturday night at Pitt. Giving them their respect.

8. Virginia Tech (3-3, 1-1) —Sagarin’s formula says the Hokies are the sixth-best team in the league but losing three games by a touchdown or less has not helped their cause.

9. Duke (5-1, 1-1) — Only Boston College is allowing fewer points per game than the 17.5 the Blue Devils are giving up.

10. Virginia (4-2, 2-1) — The Cavaliers played Louisville to the wire but four of their next five games are against ranked opponents, starting with a painful trip to Clemson Saturday.

11. Boston College (4-2, 1-1) — The Eagles, lost at Virginia by 10 points and were fortunate to survive Western Kentucky by a point. They visit Virginia Tech Saturday before returning home for next Friday’s visit from Louisville. Bill O’Brien’s team is a tough one to figure.

12. California (3-3, 0-3) — Lost by 5 to Florida State. Lost by 1 to Miami. Lost by 2 to Pittsburgh. Anybody sensing a trend?

13. Wake Forest (2-4, 1-2) — After getting thrashed by Clemson last weekend, the Demon Deacons are set up to get well against UConn and Stanford.

14. Stanford (2-4, 1-2) — The Cardinal have the worst passing offense in the ACC, averaging less than 166 yards per game with 9 scoring passes and 7 interceptions. Remember: Louisville makes a trip to Palo Alto.

15. North Carolina State (3-4, 0-3) — Losing to Tennessee and Clemson? Sure. Losing to Wake Forest and Syracuse? Nothing to see here.

16. Florida State (1-5, 1-4) — To become bowl eligible, the Seminoles must beat either No. 6 Miami or No. 12 Notre Dame on the road. Check, please.

17. North Carolina (3-4, 0-3) — The sagging Tar Heels carry a four-game losing streak into this off week. Who do you think will be the next North Carolina coach?

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