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,

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.