Javarris James had a huge game against OU to vault the Canes to 3-1.
ACC! ACC! ACC! (lol) Miami gets the banner win the conference so desperately needed in eliminating the Sooners from the national title scene and therefore vaulting the Canes into that position. Georgia Tech continued the conference pride with dominating a solid Miss State team. The Atlantic Division flipped upside down, Duke and North Carolina went opposite ways in losses, and Virginia Tech just keeps winning. Yes, we are in week five–and we still know nothing about how this will all end up.
Rank (LW)….Team……………………..Record
1)…(2)…Virginia Tech Hokies…………………4-1(2-0 ACC)
Is there really any excuse for Duke going toe-to-toe with Virginia Tech, Saturday? Yes, it’s called Thad Lewis going all Thad Lewis on them Hokies. Good news is that Tyrod Taylor matched him step-for-step(with way less attempts) and the Hokies would recover from trailing early to gain control of the game. Hokies have offense now.
2)..(2)..Miami Hurricanes………………………3-1(1-1 ACC)
***Look away those who do not like the “s-word”***
Swagger. Miami has it. They also have a balanced offense that can steam-roll any team not in a driving rain, a defense that is solid, and special teams that are pretty awesome too. It is really hard to put into words how far advanced the Canes are above everyone else(outside of VT) in the ACC. It’s not even close. With the right focus, Miami should cruise to 11-1.
3)..(4)…Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets…………..4-1(2-1 ACC)
In part two of the ACC’s OOC smackdown this week, Georgia Tech went into Stark-vegas in SEC country on SEC Network and gave the Mississippi State Bulldogs an ACC beatdown. Tech’s offense was in high gear running…and throwing. GT’s Nesbitt was an amazingly efficient 11/14 for 266 yards and a TD. He continues on this path and the Jackets are staying in the conference picture.
4)..(5)..Boston College Eagles………………….4-1(2-1 ACC)
Atlantic Division favorites. What is the Boston College Eagles? Yeah, we were wrong, again. But it’s not our fault, those dadgum Eagles threw us so many curveballs in the off-season. Oh, yeah, the game, the Eagles would have a similar game to last week in getting an early lead and coughing it up to a tie. The difference would be a missed chip shot FG by FSU’s kicker that jump-started a nearly 3 minute, 80 yard TD drive capped off by a 42 yard Montel Harris game-winning TD. This game can be dwelled on to about…now, road game to Virginia Tech awaits the Eagles next week.
5)..(9)..Wake Forest Demon Deacons…3-2(1-1 ACC)
With no rushing game to speak of, Wake Forest rode the arm of Riley Skinner and he performed. He would have 361 yards passing and 3 TDs in the 30-24 home win over NC State. The Deacs would take the lead in the 2nd quarter and never relinquish in the big divisional win. Those undefeated(ACC) Terps come to town next.
6)..(7)..North Carolina State Wolfpack………….3-2(0-1 ACC)
NC State moves up a spot even with the loss. They did not play terrible though Russell Wilson’s streak of attempts without an INT would be broken up on an attempt to win the game late. They missed a few key opportunities down the stretch that could have swung this game in the other direction. Overall, it is hard to win on the road in your division as we saw in all the Atlantic’s games today.
7)..(3)..Clemson Tigers………………2-3(1-2 ACC)
There are a million ways I could start this recap, but you know the drill. Clemson is favored. They lose. Fans are upset. Coach is under fire. It is your regular formula recap for Clemson around this time of year(which is every football season). It’s the same song, but just a different verse and the kicker was heavily involved as Richard Jackson would miss some key FGs. Yet, that’s not what lost Clemson the game. The coaching staff is making a number of head-scratching moves that are just inexplicable. To a fanbase who thought they got rid of their target of frustration for an offensive coordinator, Tiger nation is less then enthused with Clemson OC Billy Napier.
8)..(6)..Florida State Seminoles……………2-3(0-2 ACC)
FSU evidently has made up their minds to send their season into the tank. Looking at their remaining seven games, they lose atleast four of them which would put them at 5-7 for the season–that’s right–not even the GMAC Bowl. I think it rests on the defense–they are just not good at all. They have not been championship-worthy for years in the ACC. It’s a shame for a player of Christian Ponder’s ability to be stuck on such a poor team.
9)..(8)..North Carolina Tar Heels………………………3-2(0-2 ACC)
When do the flames of the hot seat start to get turned up on Butch Davis? I hope North Carolina isn’t paying someone big bucks at offensive coordinator because there are avid NCAA Football 2010 players that could command a real live offense better than the Tar Heels. Nine first downs, 174 total yards, 39 rushing yards, and 3 turnovers. I did not buy into them being ranked preseason and we can see clearly why they are nowhere near a top 25 team now.
10)..(10)..Duke Blue Devils…………………………2-3(0-1 ACC)
Thaddeus Lewis is a baller. He has not shown it all season, but his 359 yards and 2 TDs kept the Blue Devils in a game they had no business being in. The defense is what would do the Devils in as they are mediocre-to-terrible at best.
11)..(11)..Maryland Terrapins……………………2-3(1-0 ACC)
Maryland strikes again. They do this to me all the time–I think they’re dead, but then, they come back and make me look a little ridiculous. Chris Turner was an efficient 19/26 and 215 yards with 2 TDs. Two years in a row, Clemson did all they could to give the Terps the game, but hey, the Terps are opportunistic with their wins.
12)..(-1)….Virginia Cavaliers…………………..1-3(1-0 ACC)
You see that(or rather, not see that?)? That’s right, Virginia is back with the big boys again and undefeated in the ACC in week 5. The ‘Hoos fed their most talented skill player in RB Mikell Simpson with 146 total yards and a TD to the 16-3 win in Chapel Hill. They will continue their ACC Coastal chances with another winnable road game at Maryland in two weeks.
Where is this thing going? Is BC the team to beat? Are Clemson/FSU out? Will GT and Miami catch VT? Is UVA going to storm to Tampa? Would love to see your thoughts…
Whoa :) “They also have a balanced offense that can steam-roll any team not in a driving rain…”
I think that Virginia Tech pass rush would have been around in any weather and the #Canes still would not be ready for it.
Good column, Brandon.
@hokieguru
True, the Hokies did come to play that Saturday. I just wonder if the game would have been a little tighter with better weather. Thanks for the comment!
UVa isn’t ready to be crowned but neither should they be written off. They won’t beat Miami or Virginia Tech but stand a good chance of winning 5, or maybe 6, more games this season barring no injuries to quarterback Sewell. They looked pitiful their first 3 games and are still not a real good team but neither are they a real bad team. Maybe they’ve repaired some glitches. I’m sure coach Al Groah is breathing a little easier even after only one win but the situation really does look better.
@Wampum
A road ACC win always looks good and that’s great for Groh, but is Groh turning it around–a good thing? Pre-UNC, it seemed like Groh being gone would be a positive development. I wonder if 5/6 wins is really enough, but he has an uphill climb in that division. Thanks for stopping by!