The Miami Hurricanes stood up to a tougher-than-expected test, outlasting Bill Belichick's defense at North Carolina. And their reward: Maintaining an undefeated record and the top spot in the US LBM Coaches Poll.

Miami (8-0, 6-0 ACC) bested the Tar Heels, 38-35, in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, which sets up a monster matchup in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame, ranked sixth in the new poll that was released on Nov. 1, will likely need to beat Miami in order to improve what is an otherwise underwhelming resume for the College Football Playoff.

Speaking of the CFP, the first set of rankings will be unveiled on Nov. 3. Last year, the Hurricanes opened the rankings 18th. The clawed their way up to 10th, got into the tournament and reached the final before falling to Indiana "at home."

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Georgia, who took down rival Florida in Atlanta, moved up one spot to No. 2 in this week's rankings. Indiana, which needed overtime to defeat Minnesota, is No. 3, followed by Utah and UCLA. Ohio State was second, but after losing at USC, they dropped to 10th.

Here is the full preseason US LBM Coaches Poll:

College football rankings

US LBM Coaches Poll

1. Miami (Fla.)
2. Georgia
3. Indiana
4. Utah
5. UCLA
6. Notre Dame
7. Kentucky
8. BYU
9. Alabama
10. Ohio State
11. Texas
12. Ole Miss
13. Texas Tech
14. Wake Forest
15. LSU
16. Tennessee
17. USC
18. Houston
19. Missouri
20. Iowa
21. Boise State
22. Arizona
23. Northwestern
24. SMU
25. New Mexico

Others receiving votes: South Carolina 91; Florida 81; UTSA 76; Duke 76; Virginia Tech 53; Oregon 41; Minnesota 10; Oklahoma State 9; Liberty 6; North Texas 4; Wisconsin 3; Memphis 2; North Dakota State 1; Nebraska 1; Cincinnati 1.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Hurricanes still No. 1 in Coaches Poll with Notre Dame looming

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