Miami kept control of the ACC standings in Week 8 with a 52-23 win over Pittsburgh, extending a run that has put the Hurricanes firmly in charge of the league race. The result also helped preserve a season-long trend that has made Miami difficult to slow down: it has scored at least 33 points in every game.
The Hurricanes did most of their damage early and often. Miami scored on seven of its first eight possessions and finished 10 of 15 on third downs, showing the kind of offensive efficiency that has separated it from the rest of the conference. Quarterback play was sharp as well, with 31 completions on 37 attempts for 387 yards, four passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns.
Malachi Toney sets a program record
The biggest individual performance came from Miami receiver Malachi Toney, who broke the program's single-game receptions record with 16 catches for 194 yards and three touchdowns. In a game that already had major ACC implications, Toney's production turned it into a statement win.
Miami's Week 8 result also came after a narrow victory over Florida State, which kept the Hurricanes unbeaten in ACC play and at the top of the league hierarchy. That combination of consistency and explosiveness has made Miami the clear team to beat heading into the final stretch of the regular season.
Wake Forest stays No. 2, SMU moves back into the top three
Wake Forest did not play in Week 8 but remained No. 2 in the ACC standings. That ranking is backed by the Demon Deacons' only loss coming against Miami, followed by a four-game winning streak. SMU also moved back into the top three after Week 8, tightening the race behind the Hurricanes.
The next two weeks will bring more clarity. Miami is scheduled to play at North Carolina on Oct. 31 at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC, while Wake Forest visits Virginia the same day at 3:45 p.m. ET on ESPN2. Miami then has a showdown at Notre Dame on Nov. 7, a matchup that could carry major weight in the ACC race depending on how the standings look after Week 9.
