Hurricanes Aim for ACC Title as They Prepare for Wake Forest
The Miami Hurricanes are on the cusp of a historic achievement, with the possibility of reaching the ACC Championship game for the first time since joining the conference two decades ago. Currently ranked No. 8, the Hurricanes (9-1, 5-1 ACC) need to win their next two games to secure a spot in the title matchup, which could also lead to their first-ever appearance in the College Football Playoff and a chance at their first national championship since 2003.
Coach Mario Cristobal emphasized the team’s focus, stating that the "1-0 mentality" has been central to their preparation. As they gear up for their final home game of the season against Wake Forest (4-6, 2-4), Cristobal insisted that the players remain concentrated on immediate tasks rather than external distractions.
After a bye week to regroup from their first loss of the season—a narrow 28-23 defeat to Georgia Tech—the Hurricanes are keen to regain momentum. Quarterback Cam Ward highlighted the urgency in practice, noting the importance of being coachable and adaptable. "We’ve got to come out and have high urgency. That’s something we didn’t have two weeks ago," he stressed.
While the Hurricanes’ offense underperformed against Georgia Tech, they now face a struggling Wake Forest defense that concedes over 32 points per game. Conversely, Miami’s defense requires improvement, particularly after allowing Georgia Tech significant rushing yards. Wake Forest’s unique “slow mesh” offense poses a challenge, requiring Miami to stay versatile in their defensive strategy.
With their season’s goals on the line, the Hurricanes are focused solely on defeating Wake Forest, as a loss would jeopardize their path to the ACC title and playoff aspirations. As Ward stated, "We’re going to be locked in regardless…at the end of the day, you’re going to win or lose football games."
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