But in the end, the No. 8 Miami Hurricanes found a way to beat Wake Forest 42-14 on Saturday at Hard Rock Stadium. And in the end, the Hurricanes’ hopes of making the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship Game and hopes of getting a spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff remain alive going into the final week of the season.

Clemson Tigers fans, you are not out of it yet. In fact, you’re far from out of it and a handful of scenarios puts you right back where you thought you’d be at the beginning of the season: In the ACC Championship Game.

The Hurricanes’ offense, led by Cam Ward, has been the story of this season. But the defense, which has been maligned in recent weeks, came up big when Miami needed it most. The No. 8 Hurricanes’ (10-1,