Miami Still Has Small Shot At ACC Championship Game

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The Miami Hurricanes started out the season as hot as any team in the country at 7-0 before losing three straight. After last weekend's victory over the Virginia Cavaliers, the Canes still have a very outside shot of getting to the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship game.

The Canes' shot is based first on Duke losing to North Carolina on Saturday. If Duke wins, the Blue Devils will play FSU in the ACC Championship Game.

If Miami beats Pittsburgh on Friday and Virginia Tech loses to the Virginia Cavaliers, there would be a four-way tie atop the ACC Coastal Division. Miami and Georgia Tech would have 2-1 records against the other two teams in the tie.

Because Miami beat Georgia Tech, the scenario would send the Hurricanes to the ACC Championship Game in Charlotte for a rematch with the Seminoles juggernaut.

But wait, there's still a smorgasbord of other possibilities for the Coastal Division.

On the other hand, if Duke loses, Miami wins, and Virginia Tech wins, there would be a five-way tie atop the Coastal Division. Based on a 3-1 record against the other teams involved, Virginia Tech would win the tiebreaker and play in the ACC Championship game.

If Miami and Virginia Tech both lose this weekend, a three-way tie between Duke, North Carolina, and Georgia Tech would end up with the Yellow Jackets going to the championship game. Finally, if Miami loses and Virginia Tech wins, it would send the Hokies to the championship game as well.

Miami's opponent on Friday, the Pitt Panthers, are 6-5 on the season (3-4 in the ACC). Virginia Tech plays Virginia, who is 2-9 (0-7 in ACC). Duke's opponent, North Carolina, has a 6-5 record (4-3 in ACC play).

Still, whoever comes out of the Coastal Division is likely to be the lambs for FSU to slaughter. The Noles played both Miami and Pittsburgh this season and won by an average score of 41-14.