By BJ Bennett
SouthernPigskin.com

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Five week nine storylines in the ACC.

1. What’s Next for Miami?
Al Golden was fired after the Hurricanes’ 59-0 home loss to Clemson. Interim head coach Larry Scott takes over a team that is 4-3 overall and has a road game with nationally-ranked Duke set for Saturday. It will be interesting to see how Miami responds after the past few days, especially with starting quarterback Brad Kaaya injured. Redshirt freshman Malik Rosier, who played against the Tigers, will likely make his first career start. It’s tough to know what to expect from the Hurricanes moving forward.

2. A Conclusion in the Coastal
We may be starting to figure things out in the wild and wacky ACC Coastal Division. Though things can always change, North Carolina’s Thursday night win at Pittsburgh, coupled with Duke standing at 6-1 overall and 3-0 in league play, puts the late October focus on Tobacco Road. The Blue Devils play Miami on Saturday; with a win, 7-1 Duke would play at the 7-1 Tar Heels next weekend. Mathematically, a number of teams are still in the mix. As the season hits the home stretch, however, a hierarchy appears to be forming.

3. Clemson in Raleigh
A week before hosting Florida State, the Tigers have a tough road game at North Carolina State. The Wolfpack, led by quarterback Jacoby Brissett, are 5-2 overall. Clemson, currently one of the contenders for a spot in the College Football Playoff, has won its last three games by a combined score of 135-41. This could be a difficult road test. The Tigers lead the ACC with 38.4 points per game, while NC State ranks third at 35.1.

4. Energized Georgia Tech
The Yellow Jackets broke their five-game losing streak in miraculous fashion, blocking a potential game-winning field goal attempt and running it back for a touchdown in a win over Florida State. Georgia Tech, boasting a long bowl streak it hopes to continue, finally has something to feel good about. Playing at Virginia, the Yellow Jackets will look for more positive momentum and more offensive productivity.

5. FSU Minus Cook
Dalvin Cook, the nation’s second-leading rusher at 148.14 yards per game, will miss Florida State’s contest with Syracuse with an ankle injury. Top reserve Mario Pender has been recovering from a collapsed lung. After just 16 points in a loss to Georgia Tech, the Seminoles will have to get back on track offensively without its best player and with limited depth at running back.