ACC Recap

Thanks to some wild early season games and crap reporting, the ACC is quickly being presented as Florida State and, well, everybody else.  But with so much football still to be played let's see what the rest of the conference is up to, especially with FSU playing out of conference this weekend (at USF, who is 1-0 lifetime against the Noles).
There is a lot of interesting action Saturday, with Miami looking to go 3-0 in conference and clemson hoping to bounce back after their loss to FSU last weekend.  And can Duke finally snap a long winless streak against Wake, now sitting at 12?
After being blown out September 8th at Kansas State, Miami has disappeared off the national radar--not counting reports of further allegations against the program.  But being that as it may, this Saturday's game against North Carolina State has major implications for the Canes in the Coastal division and to see if the Wolfpack can remain contenders in the Atlantic (even if everyone else is conceding that race).  Miami's triumph over Georgia Tech may have been crazy, but they are now 2-0 in conference play with both victories coming on the road.  Their next four conference games are at home and with FSU and Virginia Tech included in that span the game Saturday is a must win.  Unfortunately Miami no longer has the death grip on opposing teams that it once enjoyed and with a young team it will be hard pressed for them to continue to win wacky games.  Get that W tomorrow, go 3-0 in conference and dream big.  Just do not look ahead to Notre Dame as the Wolfpack are much too good for that.  The key may be the Wolfpack line's ability to keep QB Mike Glennon safe and sound as he has been sacked 12 times this year and thrown four picks.  He and his line are better than that.
Can Clemson bounce back on the road against BC without Sammy Watkins?  The last time they traveled to Boston they fell 16-10 two years ago despite being favored by 7.  Somehow the Eagles D needs to limit the big play capability of QB Tajh Boyd et al, while the ever-struggling BC offense must continue to show improvement.
Can Duke finally beat Wake Forest?  QB Sean Renfree has already thrown for 9 TDs and 1,078y this season as the Blue Devils are 3-1.  But so too is Wake and they have played better competition.  So this one should go down-to-the-wire.
The rest of the intrigue this weekend in the ACC is with the continuation of an unofficial Big East-ACC competition as FSU plays at USF, which could be interesting as that game comes between the big clemson win and next week's match against NC State.  The veterans will remember the USF upset win of 2009.  Hopefully this game will be exciting.  Virginia Tech, meanwhile, plays Cincinnati in Landover.  The Hokies must win to keep their slim hopes of relevance this season while the Bearcats need to prove they are a legitimate 2-0 team.  Based solely on their games against Pitt, won easily by Cincy while Virginia Tech laid an egg, and you would favor the Bearcats.  But it is not as easy as that.  Still cincy can supply pressure, which Virginia Tech will need to prove that they can handle.