Canes crack AP poll

It's been a long time, but the Miami Hurricanes are finally going to have a number next to their name when they play at Georgia Tech this week. The Hurricanes moved into the 23rd spot in the Associated Press poll Sunday, the first time Miami has been ranked since Sept 16, 2006. The Hurricanes were just outside of the rankings in the ESPN USA Today poll, but led all other teams in receiving votes.

It's been a long journey for the Canes since the last time they were ranked. UM was 15th in the nation when they were knocked out for good after losing at Louisville 31-7. Miami's streak of 107 straight appearances in the rankings ended with the loss. After that, Miami went 13-14 before starting a five-game winning streak. Georgia Tech has won three straight games against the Canes by a combined 14 points. They ended UM's last long winning streak in 2005 with a 14-10 win at the Orange Bowl.

Miami controls its own path to the ACC Title game in Tampa Dec. 6. UM leads the Coastal Division in the Atlantic Coast Conference with a 4-2 record. Maryland, ranked 22nd in the AP poll, leads the Atlantic Division at 7-3, 4-2.

> By the way, while critics may bash the ACC because it doesn't have a top-tier team, the computers at least say the ACC is the second best conference in the country. The Big 12 is tops. But the ACC is actually ahead of the SEC. Check out Jeff Sagarin's rankings.

> Here's a link to Randy Shannon's press conference Friday after the Virginia Tech game.