ACC Overview

Is it me or has the ACC become somewhat predictable? After a crazy 2008 season, when an unranked ACC team beat a ranked conference team a whopping 14 times, and then turbulent start to this season with Georgia Tech, Miami, Virginia Tech and then Georgia Tech again occupying the spot as ACC's best team on a weekly basis and up-and-down performances by everyone else, the conference has settled down a bit.

Georgia Tech (7-1, 10-1) has won eight straight games and the talent-packed Coastal Division as coach Paul Johnson's ambitious plan of what could be accomplished at the program once the players fully learned his schemes has become a reality. The Yellow Jackets have averaged 39 pts per game in that stretch, despite it consisting of games against six ACC teams and 2 members of the SEC. With upcoming games against Georgia, Clemson most likely in the ACC title game and then a possible BCS game opponent, the presence of WR Demaryius Thomas (39/950y, 6 TDs) may be most important to Tech's chances of remaining in the nation's top 10. With QB Josh Nesbitt (218/847y, 16 TDs) and back Jonathan Dwyer (183/1203y, 11 TDs) pacing the rush attack, Thomas's play gives the O a dimension that is truly frightening. Thomas, who will be the rare 1,000y receiver produced by an option attack, is so physical at 6'3, 228 lbs that a defense already worried about the run cannot fully guard him with one DB. Seven times this season he has hooked up with Nesbitt on pass plays of more than 50y as the big play capability of the offense now stems from both passes and pitches (if not Nesbitt keepers).

Clemson (5-2, 7-3) must win this Saturday against Virginia, or hope Boston College loses to either North Carolina or Maryland, to clinch the Atlantic Division. Assuming that happens, the Tigers will be very confident against Georgia Tech in the ACC title game due to their play in a narrow 30-27 loss to Tech in Atlanta early in the season. Clemson trailed 24-0 in that game before rallying behind a dominant 2nd H performance in the trenches. Add to that mix the play of exhilarating RB C. J. Spiller, who has the rare ability to score a TD every time he returns a kick, takes a hand-off or receives a pass, and continued development of QB Kyle Parker, and the Tigers should give the Yellow Jackets all they can handle on December 5th in Tampa.