ACC Football's Mid-Season Report

The College Football season is just about halfway over, and the ACC has had it shares of highs and lows. The Atlantic Division looks awful but is up for grabs. The Coastal Division has three top 20 teams, but could be virtually decided by the end of the weekend.

So how did the first half look?

Best Team: Virginia Tech Hokies

They led Alabama in the second half. They beat a good Nebraska team, and they are the only team to beat Miami.

The Hokies are still the class of the ACC, and now there are whispers of being a darkhorse national title contender. A road game at Georgia Tech is probably all that stands in the way of winning the ACC Coastal.

Biggest Surprise: Miami Hurricanes

If you thought Miami could go better than 2-2 in their first four games raise your hand. If you did, chances are you're a Hurricane fan, because no one else did. A season that started with Randy Shannon on the hot seat now looks like it could end with 10 or 11 wins.

Biggest Disappointment: Florida State Seminoles

At the start of the year, I thought Florida State was the second best team in the ACC behind Virginia Tech. In the first half no team lost more ACC or total games.

The Bobby Bowden saga is actually kind of sad to watch. Defense is merely suggestion. This was the school that produced the likes of Derrick Brooks and Deion Sanders. Times have changed.

Best Win: Miami Hurricanes 21, Oklahoma Sooners 20

This was one of the ACC's best wins in years. In prime time, playing a premier collegiate program, the Canes defeated the No. 8 ranked Sooners.

Miami fell behind 10-0 early, but never lost their poise, and stormed back for what could be a landmark victory for the Cane's program.

Worst Loss: William & Mary 26, Virginia 14

This loss wasn't just bad. It was humiliating for Virginia and the ACC.

William & Mary isn't even one of the historically better FCS programs. The Cavs committed seven turnovers in the double-digit defeat.

Give credit to Virginia though. They are on a nice little two-game winning streak, when it looked like they could have ended being one of the worst ACC teams ever seen.

Offensive MVP: Jacory Harris, Miami Hurricanes

Harris has been the catalyst behind Miami's resurgence. Last year he was a skinny freshman that couldn't win the starting quarterback job. This year he could be leading the best Canes team in years.

Best Newcomer: Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech Hokies

With the season ending injury to Darren Evans, the Hokies were looking for someone to fill in. They found that someone in Ryan Williams.

He's already gained 764 yards on the ground and is first in the ACC and sixth in the nation in rushing. Can you imagine him and Evans in the same backfield next year?

Defensive MVP: Robert Quinn, North Carolina Tar Heels

On the ACC's number one defense, Robert Quinn has really stood out. He leads the ACC in sacks and tackles for loss. He also already has 20 solo tackles, nearly equalling his total of last year. Now if the Tar Heels could just find an offense.

Most Improved Player: Josh Nesbitt, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

At the end of last season, Josh Nesbitt seemed to get a handle on Paul Johnson's triple option offense, but questions remained about his passing ability.

If you've watched Georgia Tech this year, you've seen Nesbitt become a real threat throwing the football. He is second in the ACC in passing efficiency, and leads the ACC with 11 yards per completion.

Coach of the First Half: Randy Shannon

It was behind Shannon's leadership that the Canes navigated a brutal start to the season to become a top 15 team. I've said it before. Parting ways with offensive coordinator Patrick Nix and hiring Mark Whipple were great moves.

Coastal Division Winner: Virginia Tech Hokies

It's pretty simple for Virginia Tech. If they win at Georgia Tech, they will hold the tiebreaker over Miami and Georgia Tech. North Carolina could push the Hokies, but that game is in Blacksburg, where the Hokies have been outstanding.

Atlantic Division Winner: Boston College Eagles

The Atlantic is a wide-open mess of mediocre teams. Clemson has a win over BC, but already has two ACC losses and has to play at Miami.

FSU and NC State are a combined 0-5 in the ACC, and does anyone really think Maryland can go on a run?

Wake Forest still has Miami and Georgia Tech to play.

The Eagles win this by default, because they have the easiest schedule left. Atlantic Division teams should be shooting for a 5-3 finish, as that will be conference record that wins the division.

ACC Winner: Virginia Tech Hokies

Virginia Tech, Miami, or Georgia Tech will be favorites playing any team from the Atlantic Division, and the Hokies are the best of the bunch.

Williams leads the rushing the attack, and Tyrod Taylor has really improved at quarterback. Bud Foster still coaches the defense, and Frank Beamer is still the head coach. What's not to like?

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