For the last few weeks, ESPN FPI models have indicated the Miami Hurricanes had the best chance to unseat Florida State atop the ACC. Tyler Van Dyke was finally playing like a first-round pick, they had a multi-score Power 5 victory over Texas A&M, and their defense was well-rounded.
Then, Week 6 happened.
The power structure was likely bound to change even before the final minute on Saturday. Miami was in a one-score game with an unimpressive Georgia Tech squad, whom they trailed for a decent chunk of the second half after three interceptions from Van Dyke. But they had the lead with 37 seconds left and Georgia Tech out of timeouts, the game seemingly theirs. But they ran instead of kneeling out the clock, fumbled, and allowed the Yellow Jackets to go more than 70 yards in 30 seconds for the game-winning score.
Farther up the Atlantic coast, North Carolina threw their hat in the ring. The Tar Heels beat the Syracuse Orange, who started the season with four impressive wins in a row, 40-7. Suddenly, UNC was the obvious second-best team in the ACC. Nor could we forget Louisville, who stayed close behind after a huge upset of Notre Dame.
Now, the Tar Heels and Hurricanes play in Chapel Hill on Saturday to settle once and for all who should have the inside track at a title game appearance.
Here are the best Week 7 games in the ACC.