Key Week Four Games Will Prove Pivotal In the ACC Coastal Race

When the 2009 season is complete, college football fans may look at two Week Four ACC Coastal matchups as the games that turned the Coastal division title chase into the most competitive four-team race in college football.

The Tar Heels have been flying under radar during the early part of the season, but they are 3-0. I'm not sure if the nation is quite yet sold on Butch Davis's squad. A win on the road at Georgia Tech would establish UNC as a legitimate ACC Title threat. They would also have a likely 6-0 start and top 15 ranking before a major showdown with Florida State. After the Jackets the Heels face a struggling Virginia team, and FCS team Georgia Southern, so you see Georgia Tech is all that stands between the Heels and their best start since Mack Brown roamed the sidelines. Even with a loss, the Tar Heels will hardly be out of the Coastal race. They will still have the opportunity to play Virginia Tech and Miami later in the season.

This is the season for Georgia Tech. As I wrote on the Raycom Sports Georgia Tech blog, This is an absolute must win for the Jackets. A week ago Georgia Tech was ranked in the top 15 and this week they are fighting for their Coastal division lives. Last year Virginia Tech won the Coastal Division with three losses. It's a long season, but I simply don't see a three-loss division champion this year. Miami, Virginia Tech and North Carolina are too good of teams to have that happen. If Georgia Tech loses Saturday that will drop them to 1-2 in the ACC, with losses already to Miami and UNC. Even if they beat Virginia Tech, that's just too much to overcome. If Jackets can defeat UNC, then throw them right back in the thick of the ACC. Paul Johnson and Defensive coordinator Dave Wommack are already working on switching defensive schemes from the 4-2-5 to the simpler 4-3-4. After the Miami offense ripped the Georgia Tech defense apart something had to be done. If the Jackets lose, they can start making reservations to a middle to lower tier ACC bowl, because there won't be any ACC Title.

Virginia Tech has been the ACC's dominant team the last several years. They are coming off a last-second win over a good Nebraska Cornhusker team and putting the Alabama loss behind them. For the Hokies the game with Canes is one of the few really tough ones they play. While Virginia Tech played a strong OOC schedule, they get a break in the ACC. They avoid both Clemson and Florida State from the Atlantic Division, and get Miami and North Carolina at home. Miami is coming in red hot, and will really challenge a Bud Foster defense, that is uncharacteristically ranked 77th in the nation, and is 107th in the nation against the run. The Hokies give up almost 200 yards rushing a game. If the Hokies win, they remain the team to beat in the ACC.

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Vote Now! - Author Poll

Who will win the ACC's Coastal Division?

• Virginia Tech Hokies
• Miami Hurricanes
• North Carolina Tar Heels
• Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

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Results - Author Poll

Who will win the ACC's Coastal Division?

• Virginia Tech Hokies

  15.4%

• Miami Hurricanes

  41.0%

• North Carolina Tar Heels

  7.7%

• Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

  35.9%
• Total votes: 39

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