ACC Update

Roughly midway through the college football season and Clemson and Florida State appear to be, once again, the cream of the ACC. They do not meet until November 7 however but each host interesting opponents this Saturday. FSU hosts a Louisville team that has lost three games but that was against a tough schedule. The Cardinals can score points and it will be interesting to see them against a Noles defense that has generally bent but not broken this season. Louisville must find a way to contain back Dalvin Cook and force QB Everett Golson into obvious passing situations. That's easier said then done. On offense the visitors will rely on freshman QB Lamar Jackson and his rushing ability against an athletic defense. Good luck. Clemson must face a Boston College team that cannot score, but does not give up many points either. Much has been made of the team's 3-0 loss to Wake but they have now played consecutive games in which neither team reached 10 points (9-7 loss at Duke). They will do their best to frustrate a Tigers offense that is inconsistent. The big game in the Coastal division may be Pitt at Georgia Tech, a game that has taken on a much different meaning than it was expected to in preseason. Tech was the preseason pick in the division but sit at a shocking 0-3. They can turn things around although the offense still looks broken. A tough Panthers defense won't help, although it needs to play the run better than it did against UVA. And the Pitt offense has room for improvement too, but if it protects the ball (unlike last year versus Tech) than it should have a close win to remain unbeaten in ACC play. There are some interesting games among the other ACC teams but those are currently for positioning.

ACC Football Update

The sound you heard throughout ACC country today was champagne corks popping as the conference swept four games against the dreaded SEC (well, SEC East) and in doing so firmed up Florida State's presumed spot in the final four playoff. Of course FSU still has to beat Georgia Tech in the ACC title game, something that looks tougher now than expected at the beginning of this season. The ACC is the little brother to their SEC neighbors and any sweep like this is sweet even if three of the four SEC victims are struggling and the fourth, Georgia, is inconsistent. The ACC will take what they get and build upon today's results, hoping to sway a recruit or two. All four of the ACC teams in question are ranked--while just one of the SEC teams was--but that helps those programs in the eyes of voters for the future. This is especially true for a Clemson team that always struggles against South Carolina and a Georgia Tech program that is supposed to struggle with athletic defenses like the one they saw today in Georgia. It is just another sign that the rest of the college football world is closing the gap with the SEC, although we will need a lot more key wins to confirm that.

ACC Update

The national focus regarding Florida State football seems to be on anything but tomorrow's game against a slid Louisville squad. From the controversy over the second to last play in the Notre Dame game to continued off-the-field problems for FSU players and the recent unveiling of the playoff rankings, there are plenty of distractions for the undefeated defending national champs. Say what you want about Jimbo Fisher, and he is giving plenty of fodder to critics, he has proven the ability to keep his players available, when perhaps some of them should not be, and focused when there is a task at hand. Beating Louisville will go a long way toward wrapping up the ACC Atlantic Division while solidifying the Noles' placement near or at the top of the rankings. Of course the Cardinals have something to say about that. Their defense will pose a challenge to FSU, especially when FSU runs the ball. Well, tries to run the ball. This game should come down to how well the Cardinals defense stops the FSU passing attack. If they can prevent Jameis Winston from getting into a groove they had an excellent chance of pulling the upset. As for the Louisville offense, you have to wonder if they can keep up. There really is no previous game to look back on from this season as the offense is at its healthiest now in time for the biggest game of the year. Expect coach Bobby Petrino to pull out all stops as he must see this game as a way to return to his past glory. The game should be fun and I feel will go down the wire. Can FSU hold on as they barely did against ND?

ACC Update

Whether the ACC is truly Florida State and a bunch of other teams--as the media seems to spin it--will be played out this fall. In the interim the games have to be played so let's go. North Carolina State, with Florida State transfer QB Jacoby Brissett having already cracked the 1,000 yard mark with 1,005 yards plus a 10-1 TD-INT ratio, is surprisingly 4-0 but that comes with a caveat. Well two. They deserved to lose at least one game earlier this year and they host FSU this weekend. The Wolfpack used to be the occasional thorn in the side of the Seminoles back in the Chuck Amato days but that won't help them now. The Noles are entering a three-game stretch (State, Wake, Syracuse) that will test their focus and while Brissett will be inspired to play well against his former team, the visitors will seek to prove that they are as good as last year. And yes I just wrote about FSU without mentioning their QB. Another undefeated team with an intriguing match-up is Duke, which begins a gauntlet of four conferences road games over their next five contests with a trip to Miami. While the Canes have been underachieving they can get their season straightened out with a win over a team they once owned. The Blue Devils need to begin to claim the Coastal Division as their own and to do so they need to continue to showcase a balanced offense, led by senior QB Anthony Boone, and improve on a weak run defense. The Canes may be hard-pressed to exploit that weakness as poor line play has prevented them from running the ball consistently. But back Duke Johnson, who missed last year's game with an injury, will be looking to break out and the Blue Devils will be hard-pressed to fully contain him. I am looking at the over. A game that was supposed to be intriguing in August, UNC at Clemson is now a survivor game as the loser will be tagged as a disappointment. Another team looking to bounce back after a tough weekend is Syracuse, who draws Notre Dame in New Jersey. An Orange win would be nice for the ACC but the Irish are coming off a bye. Both programs need to make a statement in talent-rich New Jersey.

ACC Update

The attention this weekend in the ACC, justifiably, is centered on the huge game between Clemson and Florida State.  That one should be a good one although only if both teams display the newly re-discovered abilities to, well, not play below their high talent levels.  The loser of Saturday night's game may not be too thrilled that the winner has figured out the not choking thing but hey if you want the national attention to come the ACC's way you do need as many good to great teams as possible.
Which brings us to the rest of the conference.  Thanks to the seasons Clemson and FSU have enjoyed Miami has slid somewhat under the radar.  That seems odd being that it is Miami and they have their SEC pelt in Florida.  But the bulk of the Canes' work in conference still needs to be done, headlined by the back-to-back games in November against FSU and Virginia Tech.  They will have to hold serve tonight at North Carolina in what will be their first real road test of the season (with all apologies to South Florida).  The Tar Heels have been major disappointments but could earn back some swagger tonight.
Virginia Tech sits at 3-0 in conference and is off this weekend.  They also do not play both FSU and Clemson, which puts more pressure on fellow Coastal member Miami.
The others are all jockeying for bowl position or hoping, like UNC, to turn their season around.  Maryland-Wake, Duke-Virginia and Syracuse-Tech all have potential to be good games.

ACC Update

The first broadside this season against the BCS from a college football coach is the dominant story in the ACC.  Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher is mad that his Seminoles are 10th in the BCS standings despite sitting at 9-1 on the season.  Three two-loss SEC teams sit directly in front of FSU and if we include the three one-loss SEC teams directly in front of them, the BCS considers Florida State as no better than the seventh best team if we combined the two conferences.  That is ridiculous.  But the Noles are a victim of their schedule which includes a good win against Clemson and, well, that's it.  Fisher knows this but hides behind the infamous "eye test" saying that anyone can see that his team is better than some of those ranked higher.  But what exactly does that mean?  These dopey eye tests have aided SEC teams for a decade now and it is ironic that someone is trying to use it against the SEC.  But eyes can lie--the eye test said that Alabama was better than Texas A&M.  Until the game began.  Fortunately for Fisher he still has one more game to change the way his team is perceived and that is when the Noles host Florida on 11/24.  Win that game and you make you point.  Ditto Clemson hosting South Carolina on the same day.  The ACC has been awfully quiet since September but can make a lot of noise on that day (Georgia Tech also plays Georgia and Wake butts head with Vandy on that day).
As for the ACC race Florida State should have no problem clinching the Atlantic this weekend when playing Maryland.  The Coastal is more confusing and probably will not be decided this weekend since Miami is playing out of conference.  Duke traveling to Atlanta is the game of the week and the Yellow Jackets should win to put pressure on Miami to beat Duke the following weekend.  The other game to watch is North Carolina State traveling to Clemson.
To repeat, the ACC is not getting any respect but can change that--to a degree--with a big day next weekend.

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.

ACC Update

It is time to celebrate all things Wake Forest! They have the crazy nickname and are located in a city that is unabashed about its love of tobacco. The QB's name is Tanner Price, which sounds like a character from To Kill a Mockingbird. And they are 2-0 in the ACC!

Ol' Tanner has a 152 rating for season, having thrown for 1,119y and 7 TDs. He is from Austin and, therefore, has to be good. Price's main target, Chris Givens, also hails from Texas (Wylie) and has 27 catches for 498y and 4 TDs. So, second tier Texas recruits are flourishing in Winston-Salem.

Umm, Wake plays Florida State and Virginia Tech the next two weekends. All hail Wake!

By the way, Virginia Tech plays Miami this weekend. Remember when that game was important?

2010 ACC Preview

There is a great desire on the part of the media to have Miami and Florida State return to past glory. I assume that the majority of these folks came of age during the 1980s and to them college football would make more sense with national powers rolling out of Coral Gables and Tallahassee on an annual basis. And so this August the talent on both of these squads look pretty good to a large number of writers who I feel are combining sound analysis with a little wishful thinking.

Which is not say that both of these teams stink. They do have talent and will be factors in the race for the Coastal and Atlantic Divisions this year. But they will not win either and will have to settle for non BCS bowls.

Who will instead meet in the ACC title game? I am sticking with the two other former Big East programs who have each been more successful than the Hurricanes--much to the displeasure of those hoping for another Miami national title run--Boston College and Virginia Tech.

Picking the Hokies is a bit boring I do admit as they usually do capture the Coastal Division or at least come very close. Last year they finished second to Georgia Tech, thanks in large part to a 28-23 loss to the Yellow Jackets in mid-season. The rematch this year is November 4, a game that begins a November run of three crucial games (at UNC and at Miami follow). While the Hokies took some losses on the defensive side, they will be sound there in 2010. What is particularly exciting about this year's Virginia Tech team, however, is on the other side of the ball where all of their skill position player return, led by quarterback Tyrod Taylor and back Ryan Williams, and they get running back Darren Evans back from injury. They ended 2009 with four straight blowout wins and I predict that romps will be the norm this season. Beat Boise in week one and the Hokies will be in the top 3 once the first BCS standing come out. Helping their case for a spot in the BCS title game will be an easy win in the ACC championship tilt.

For second place in the division I will go with the Yellow Jackets to edge out Miami. No one seems to like coach Paul Johnson, but the guy is a magnificent coach. Yes the team lost some of their most famous players from last year's squad but the offense will hum behind QB Josh Nesbitt, a solid line now experienced at this style of play and plenty of talented backs. Look for Anthony Allen to more than double his total of 618 yards rushing from last season. Meanwhile the defense is now in the hands of Al Groh, who is as excellent a coordinator as he was mediocre as a head man.

Miami will once again pay the price for a difficult schedule. among their six road games are killers at Ohio State, Pittsburgh, Clemson and Georgia Tech. I may be devaluing them because of the poor performance the team turned in against Wisconsin last January. This is a talented team and if they can consistently play at a high level they can win this division.

As for North Carolina, they can go one of two ways. Use the outside forces swirling around the program as a motivational tool to make a run for the ACC title or be overwhelmed by all of the negative publicity and possibility of some significant suspensions to fold their tent. Being that the Tar Heels have not managed to overwhelm anyone with this talent before, I think folding is much more likely. And in doing so they may not even finish fourth in this very tough division as Duke is good enough to edge them out. The Blue Devils are now experienced and look to pull an upset or two in coach David Cutcliffe's third season at the helm. As for Virginia? Well the campus is pretty.

It was difficult picking Boston College to win the Atlantic Division as they have the must unsure QB situation of the big three contenders with FSU and Clemson. But the Eagles have a sound defense, excellent run game and most favorable schedule. They also have the motivation of the return of linebacker Mark Herzlich from his successful bout with cancer. Herzlich is not only a great backer but a team leader and his return, the ability to run Montel Harris behind stud tackle Anthony Castonzo and a good coaching staff will make the difference in a tight race. And yes I am purposely not mentioning their passing game.

Losing the distraction that became the coaching situation last year has got to be a boon for the Seminoles. But can Jumbo Fisher be a good head coach? We'll see on September 11 when the Noles travel to Norman to take on Oklahoma. I think he will be fine but the true story is how good the defense can improve under Mark Stoops, who comes from Arizona to fix a unit that gave up a ton of big plays in 2009. If they cannot greatly improve the 30 points per game they surrendered last season, the offense will be forced to win shootouts over and over again.

Clemson rode the tremendous abilities of back C.J. Spiller to the division crown last year and will have to make huge adjustments with him now in the pros. But there is talent on both sides of the ball to make some hay but not enough to overcome road games at both BC and FSU.

Of the remaining three teams in the division, Maryland, North Carolina State and Wake Forest, the team with the best shot to force their way in title consideration is Wake Forest--but only if their passing attack is not truly abysmal. Their schedule is much, much better than the Wolfpack's, who probably have the most talent of the three. NC State also welcomes back linebacker Nate Irving from injury. Maryland will be better than last season's 2-10 club but not by enough to save coach Ralph Friedgen's job.

Devils Days

I do not often get the chance to remember the history of Duke football, but will now follow Bob's profile of former Duke player Sonny Jurgensen by honoring new college Hall of Famer Clarkston Hines of the late 1980s Blue Devils. Hines rewrote the Duke record book as an outstanding target for Duke quarterbacks during a brief golden period of football in Durham, ushered in by coach Steve Spurrier in 1987. With the help of Hines, Spurrier led Duke to 20 wins in three seasons, capped by a shared ACC crown--their first since 1965--in 1989 and spot in All American Bowl. That game, a 49-21 loss to Texas Tech, did not go so well, but with Hines--who topped 1,000y receiving for final three seasons--and Spurrier departing the program would return to mediocrity.
One of Hines's greatest performances occurred on Veterans Day, November 11, 1989 in a key conference match-up with rival North Carolina State. As written in The USA TODAY College Football Encyclopedia, Hines had a record-breaking day while leading Duke to a win that earned them the no. 25 spot in the ensuing AP Poll:
DUKE 35 North Carolina State 26: Arm-weary NC State (7-3) QB Shane Montgomery attempted NCAA-record 73 passes, but could not rally his charges. Duke (7-3) was led by record-setter of its own in WR Clarkston Hines (6/131y), who caught 2 TD passes from QB Dave Brown to set mark for career TD catches at 35, although his record was tied later in same day by WR Terance Mathis of New Mexico. Brown threw for 374y and 4 TDs, while TB Randy Cuthbert added 158y rushing as Blue Devils O outlasted Montgomery's constant aerial barrage. WRs Reggie Lawrence (5/129y) and Al Byrd (5/126y) were NC State's leading targets as Montgomery ended his game with 37-73/535y.

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.

ACC Overview

The build-up to the September 26 Virginia Tech-Miami game was that the winner would be in the driver’s seat for the ACC Coastal crown and the heavy favorite for the ACC title and BCS game berth. But as we look at the division one month later we see another squad, red-hot Georgia Tech (5-1, 7-1) in the leader’s seat thanks to a five-game winning streak including a win over Virginia Tech (3-1, 5-2). Miami (2-2, 5-2) has contributed to the suddenly good fortunes of Georgia Tech, a team they beat by 16 in mid September, by losing twice since that win. The Canes fell all the way to fifth in the division, although they have played a much tougher schedule to date than either Duke (2-1, 4-3) or Virginia (2-1, 3-4).

The Yellow Jackets have become the class of the conference at mid-season by running their offense superbly and doing just enough on defense. Quickly QB Josh Nesbitt is winning over his critics with his brilliant decision-making on the team’s various option reads. In Saturday’s win in the rain at Virginia, Nesbitt was far better than his numbers suggest. He completed 4-8 for 85y and rushed 21 times for 82y with 2 TDs. But his pitches were uncanny in their timing and accuracy. And the much-maligned Georgia Tech defense has come around, playing exceptionally well on third down Saturday in holding the Cavs to 2-11 conversions.

Commentators always remind us about how difficult it is for an offense like Tech’s to rally when trailing, but never seem to mention that it may be the best offense in the country with a lead. Take the past game. Ahead 13-6 at the start of the second half, the Yellow Jackets unleashed an 18-play, 82y drive that sapped both 10:47 from the clock and the will of the Virginia defense. The team was now winning by only two scores, yet it may as well have been five. Keep up this level of play Yellow Jackets and you can achieve big things this season.

Remember When

K Scott Sisson celebrates game-winning FG

The University of Virginia’s Scott Stadium is not considered one of the tougher places to bring a college football team, yet Georgia Tech had been stymied there eight straight times since winning one of the biggest games in recent school history. The date was November 3, 1990 and coach George Welsh’s Cavaliers were 7-0 and ranked no. 1 in the country. Into Charlottesville arrived a talented bunch of Yellow Jackets, whose only blemish on the season was a tie with North Carolina two weeks prior. As told in the USA Today College Football Encyclopedia, the game proved to be a classic and was our choice as Game of the Year:

Georgia Tech 41 VIRGINIA 38: Virginia (7-1) QB Shawn Moore set school record with 344y on 18-28 passing, WR Herman Moore caught 9/234y, including fake-reverse 63y TD bomb in 3rd Q. All seemed in order for no. 1 Virginia in taking 10-0 lead in 1st Q, 28-14 lead by H. But, resourceful Georgia Tech (7-0-1) took advantage of 2 3rd Q errors to tie it at 28-28. Tech scored four plays after recovering FUM on opening possession of 3rd Q. LB Calvin Tuggle’s INT at Jackets 10YL stopped ensuing Cavs drive; and Georgia Tech gained field position for QB Shawn Jones’ (17-29/257y, 2 TDs) 26y scoring pass to WR Emmett Merchant. Virginia’s Moores then countered with their long TD bomb, but RB William Bell tied it 35-35 with 8y run late in 3rd Q. Tech took its 1st lead on K Scott Sisson’s 35y FG with 7:17 left. Back came Virginia, gaining 1st-and-goal 6 inches from GL, a move sparked by 48y Moore-to-Moore pass. But, Cavs were penalized twice in next 5 plays, once nullifying TE Aaron Mundy’s TD catch. Virginia had to settle for K Jake McInerney’s tying FG with 2:30 to go. Jackets went 56y in 5 plays to position Sisson for game-winning FG with 7 secs left, keys being Jones-to-Bell 23y pass, Bell’s 13y run on which he fell on own FUM, and Jones-to-WR Greg Lester 15y pass.

With Georgia Tech winning yesterday, perhaps they can dream of history repeating itself with another national championship. While that is unlikely, very few people thought that the 1990 team could win a share of the crown as they did after beating Nebraska in the Florida Citrus Bowl on January 1, 1991.

ACC Overview

With the media focus for the ACC centered on the nightmarish situation with Florida State, we at Sunday Morning Quarterbacks want to keep our eyes centered on the on-field action. FSU’s most recent opponent, Georgia Tech, has enjoyed a mini resurgence after losing to Miami in September. The Yellow Jackets have won three straight including the past two on the road. In the wins at Mississippi State and Florida State, Tech has scored a combined 91 pts. QB Josh Nesbitt escalated his play, completing 11-14 passes for 266y and a TD against the Bulldogs and then throwing for 131y and a TD while rushing for 140y and 3 TDs against the Seminoles. Nesbitt has to somehow maintain a high level of play despite the huge jump in D talent he will encounter this Saturday against Virginia Tech. What does bode well for Georgia Tech is that the Hokies have done their impressive work this season in Blacksburg. They have only played two games so far away from home, losing easily to Alabama on a neutral field to open the season and then playing poorly at Duke on October 3rd. The Hokies only won one of four conference road games last season and need to prove that they can handle a hostile environment for what should be their toughest road game remaining.

ACC Overview

While many teams open conference play this Saturday, the Miami Hurricanes play their third key ACC game of the young season when traveling to Blacksburg, Virginia for their annual showdown with Virginia Tech. The undefeated Canes are certainly the lead story of the ACC so far this season as the swagger has returned to “The U” thanks to the continued development of the team’s talented young roster. With a win this weekend, Miami can establish itself as the clear frontrunner in the ACC Coastal Division. Win a win this weekend and a win in their next game against Oklahoma, the Canes can establish themselves as a top five team nationally.

If not Virginia Tech, the program that can best derail Miami’s return to glory is coached by a former key component of their past glory, North Carolina. Like Randy Shannon at Miami, coach Butch Davis is in year three of his time in Chapel Hill and he has built a program ready to make some noise this season. Like Miami, North Carolina relies on a talented group of underclassmen, led by QB Tyler Yates who played well last week against East Carolina. Davis is already 2-0 versus Miami and gets the Canes at home on November 14 in a match-up that just may decide the Coastal Division. The Tar Heels open conference play on the road against Georgia Tech this weekend.

As for the Atlantic Division, we will know a great deal more about these teams after this weekend. Although there is only one ACC game scheduled, with Wake Forest traveling to Boston College, the four other Atlantic teams all take on quality non-conference opponents. Florida State hosts South Florida, Clemson hosts TCU, North Carolina State hosts Pittsburgh and Maryland hosts Rutgers as the Atlantic Division has ACC pride on the line this Saturday. A win by Clemson could stamp the tigers as early season division favorites, but we have been down that slippery road before.

The ACC has already had a player set an individual NCAA record as Wolfpack QB Russell Wilson threw his 326th straight pass without an INT to break the record held by recent Kentucky QB Andre Woodson. Wilson pushed his mark to 329 in the game against Gardner-Webb and amazingly has thrown 25 TDs to 1 INT for his young career. Wilson now faces a Pitt team that returned seven of its top eight DBs from last season.

Uggggh!

Well at least I have my health. After posting a 0-5 record for picks yesterday, I have lost a great deal of pride. Right now I feel like James Patton, the offensive line coach for Oklahoma. We both feel crummy this morning, but can turn things around in the future with some hard work. I get back on the horse Monday with Cincinnati against Rutgers in a game that I am attending. Perhaps a live appearance can change my fortunes.
At least my picks were for fun. The ACC has to live with their play all season. Already considered a weak sister to conferences like the SEC, the ACC did nothing this week to suggest that those opinions need to be changed. Four conference members took on opponents from BCS conferences and all four lost. Virginia Tech had the marquee appearance and hung around with Alabama thanks to some big plays. But, the Hokies were clearly the weaker team and began to get pushed around by the Tide in the 4th quarter. Maryland really had no chance against a team, California, that has national title aspirations. The Terps had to fly cross-country to take on a team with more talent that was pissed off about their loss when these teams played last season. North Carolina State and Wake Forest laid eggs in contests that they played at home against beatable opponents. The Wolfpack offense got pounded into submission by South Carolina, while the Deamon Deacons surely missed linebacker Aaron Curry and the other three defenders drafted off their 2008 team while chasing Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin.
Making matters worse for the conference were the losses suffered by lesser lights Virginia and Duke against two members of the Colonial Conference, William & Mary and Richmond respectively. Losing to defending FCS national champion Richmond is not something to be too embarassed by, but the fact that two members of a lesser regional conference beat ACC teams is not a good thing.
On Monday an ACC team has to beat someone from a big conference as Miami and Florida State tussle in Tallahassee. The conference does need an exciting game and not one of the offensively-challenged match-ups we have seen from them of late.
Having one of their better days in recent memory were the now three-team collection of independents playing major college football. Notre Dame happily took advantage of Nevada's suspect secondary in beating the Wolfpack 35-0. Navy came within a whisker of stunning Ohio State on the road as the Buckeyes clearly had their eyes on Southern Cal next weekend. And finally, Army picked up a nice road win over Eastern Michigan as the Cadets seemed to have easliy picked up new coach Rich Ellerson's triple option offense.