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Miami Hurricanes Ranked in Both Polls Top 25

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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For the first time since November 16, 2013, the Miami Hurricanes are in the top 25 in both polls. The Hurricanes made their 2016 debut in the USA Today Coaches’ Poll at 25 and maintained their 25th ranking in the AP Writers Poll. The Hurricanes blew out Florida Atlantic 38-10 at Hard Rock Stadium Saturday.

The Hurricanes moved into the AP poll after Big 12 members Oklahoma State and Texas Christian lost Saturday. The ‘Canes have moved into the rankings feasted on teams they should blowout. They took care of business and now have their first real test of the season this week. They received 137 points in the poll. Arkansas who also are in the poll for the first time this season.

They received 137 points in the poll. Arkansas who also is ranked for the first time this season is 24th with 170 points. The Razorbacks moved up eight spots from last week, while Miami moved up just one. TCU is the highest ranked team outside the poll with 110 points.

Miami travels to Boone, North Carolina to face Appalachian State in their first road game of the season this Saturday. The Mountaineers were among those “also receiving votes”. App St received three points which placed them 40th in the poll.

Saturday’s game is the first time the teams will meet. The game was set up by a series of events that Appalachian State only agreed to play the Hurricanes in a home and home series. App State doesn’t return the game until 2021. Players that will be freshmen by then are only in eighth grade now.

This marks the second year in a row for Miami to play on the road at a non-power five conference school. Last season they played at Florida Atlantic and Cincinnati. Prior to that, they had not played a non-five school on the road since they played at South Florida in 2013.

Appalachian State is in their third year back in the Football Bowl Subdivision. They had previously been in college football’s top Division from 1973-81. The NCAA split Division I into subdivisions, then known as I-A and I-AA in 1978. In their latest incarnation as an FBS team, the Mountaineers are 24-9. They won the Camellia Bowl last year.

Last year’s game at FAU should prepare the ‘Canes for the game at App State. FAU Stadium seats 29,419 and the Mountaineers’ Kidd Brewer Stadium seats 24,050. K-B has exceeded that at least ten times, if not more. The stadium’s attendance record is 31,531 against Elon in 2010. If Boone Fire Marshal Ronnie Marsh allows it, Saturday’s game will set the program’s all-time attendance record.

Miami at Appalachian State will kickoff at Noon ET Saturday on ESPN.