Even on the off chance we are 5-3 going in to that game, they really can’t be talking. There’s a legit chance they have a losing record going into that game.
I don't understand this whole "they will be 5-3 going into the F$U game" nonsense.
Presumably, the losses are to Florida, VaTech, and Virginia.
But think about this...prior to playing VaTech, we will have had 2 bye weeks and 3 cupcakes (UNC is widely expected to be the worst team in the Coastal). We will be safely ensconced in a 5-game homestand. And this will be October. So anyone dinged up from the summertime or the Florida game will have (essentially) 6 weeks of rest. Literally, there is no reason to play Nesta until October.
So, sure, VaTech and Virginia are expected to be good. Barring any season-ending injuries for Miami, I do not see any possible way that we do not win both of those games. That's not overconfidence. I have given a lot of thought to which games we might lose, because I highly doubt we go 12-0.
I mean, if you told me "yeah, UM is at home, but it's Clemson", then I would say it's a probable loss. But even the writers who have chosen VaTech or UVa to win the Coastal have only done so with a 1-game margin, and nobody is picking either of those teams to go undefeated in the ACC.
VaTech and UVa are not world-beaters. I think that VaTech just had a player suffer a season-ending injury and UVa has a lot to replace from last year. I don't make a lot of predictions, but I can't see losing to either of these teams at home with 6 weeks to prep.