2017 ACC Football: Coastal Division Power Rankings week 2

CHAPEL HILL, NC - SEPTEMBER 09: The against the North Carolina Tar Heels prepare to take the field for a game against the Louisville Cardinals during at Kenan Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC - SEPTEMBER 09: The against the North Carolina Tar Heels prepare to take the field for a game against the Louisville Cardinals during at Kenan Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI GARDENS, FL – OCTOBER 08: Miami Hurricanes head coach Mark Richt tries to calm the fans after throwing debris on the field during a game against the Florida State Seminoles at Hard Rock Stadium on October 8, 2016 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FL – OCTOBER 08: Miami Hurricanes head coach Mark Richt tries to calm the fans after throwing debris on the field during a game against the Florida State Seminoles at Hard Rock Stadium on October 8, 2016 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

Just Dropped In (To See What Condition my Condition was In)

Miami did not play this week because of the looming effects of Hurricane Irma. They dropped this week not because they cancelled the game, but because the next team looked better while the Hurricanes were off.

I know there are some who think the Hurricanes canceled this game because they were afraid to face Arkansas State on the road. I get that the Red Wolves are a dangerous trap game the week before playing rival Florida State and how one might come to that conclusion.

However, I don’t think this was the case.

I have never experienced a Hurricane or had family members in danger of being swept up in one, so I really can’t say to what degree that might have been weighing on the minds of the players and coaches who come from that area.

Regardless it had to be rough. I know that as competitors they all wanted to play and compete and show everyone how Miami has returned to national relevance. But as human beings they did the right thing.

They needed to do what was necessary to make sure they and their families were safe and out of harm’s way. Football can wait. This wasn’t about extra practice or trying to preserve a perfect record. It was about doing the right thing.

Plus, if you believe Mark Richt would ever back out of a game because he was scared, you clearly don’t know the coach at all.

Miami’s game this Saturday against Florida State was moved to October 7, giving the Hurricanes another week off.