MIAMI GARDENS, FL - NOVEMBER 04: Christopher Herndon IV #23 of the Miami Hurricanes rushes for a touchdown during a game against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Hard Rock Stadium on November 4, 2017 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Playoff contender will head into conference championship weekend without a top playmaker

Terrible news.

After Miami's miserable loss to Pitt, the Hurricanes are looking at a must-win situation to even have any semblance of hope at getting into the College Football Playoffs.

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They'll have to battle Clemson without a top playmaker, as the school announced on Sunday that tight end Christopher Herndon had suffered an MCL injury in the loss and will be done for the season.

Herndon has 40 receptions for 477 yards and four touchdowns this year, and he's the second-leading receiver for the program.

Miami fell to No. 7 in the most recent AP Poll, while their ACC Championship opposition, Clemson, jumped to No. 1.

The ACC title game is at 8 p.m. ET Saturday night on ABC.