ACC Football: Week 7 Recap, Things We Learned, and ACColades
A week after things started clearing up a little in the conference, things got hazy again.
Strong performances by Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech, North Carolina AND Miami put us right back where we were in the preseason - not knowing who the team to beat really is. Now let's keep it in perspective, they didn't exactly play the toughest competition, but aside from the Hurricanes, everyone looked great. I think the Tar Heels are quickly becoming the number two team on this division. They have a key game in Miami this weekend that's a must-win for both squads. Georgia Tech is in the same position when they head to Clemson. A loss to the Tigers would likely eliminate the Jackets from the ACC picture with two losses.
Speaking of the Tigers, they righted the ship somewhat with a 31-7 win over Maryland, moving them to 1-2 in conference play. Year in and year out they seem to lose a game or two then go on a winning streak to salvage the season. While it's feasible they could roll off five straight ACC wins, they would need some help along the way. Florida State is halfway through their conference schedule and is undefeated. The only ACC left that look to challenge the Noles will be Clemson and NC State. But judging from the Wolfpacks loss to East Carolina, they may be losing that early season promise they shocked everyone with. With a win against NC State in two weeks, the Seminoles will likely wrap up a trip to the title game.
Week 7: ACC Football Game Quick Hitters
1 of 7
(Week 7 Predictions HERE)
Florida State 24, Boston College 19
If Christian Ponders CP7 Heisman campaign wasn't dead before, it is now. The preseason ACC Player of the Year had four turnovers on the day, nearly handing Boston College a major upset win on the road. The Seminole defense deserves the praise in this one. They didn't allow the Eagles an offensive TD and racked up four sacks.
Florida State is now sitting at 4-0 in ACC play for the first time since 2003 and appears to have a firm grip on the Atlantic Division lead with Boston College at 0-3, reigning Atlantic champ Clemson at 1-2 and upstart NC State looking vulnerable in a loss to East Carolina today.
Prediction: Florida State 38, Boston College 13
Clemson 31, Maryland 7
The Terrapins came into this one sporting one of the better overall records in the ACC but still wasn't receiving any respect, namely because other than a loss at West Virginia, they hadn't really been tested. The Tigers were the polar opposite. They were at 0-2 in the ACC and 2-3 overall, they were coming off three straight close losses to difficult competition (two of which were in the Top 25).
Former Clemson star CJ Spiller was in town getting his #28 retired, and RB Andre Ellington (the guy Spiller calls his lil brother) highlighted the day with a great imitation of his NFL playing mentor when he took a kickoff back 87 yards for a TD. He also had a rushing TD. Great special teams play took some of the pressure off the Tiger offense, which didn't even hit 300 yards.
The Terps on the other hand managed decent yardage but simply couldn't catch a rhythm against an aggressive Tiger defense. DE DaQuan Bowers was responsible for a majority of the pressure on Marylands QB, registering 3 sacks and 4 tackles for loss.
The match-up against Georgia Tech has now become a must win if Clemson wants to repeat as Atlantic champs.
Prediction: Clemson 24, Maryland 14
East Carolina 33, NC State 27
A first glance at this game and you'd think the teams traded QB's before hand. NC State signal caller Russell Wilson was far from his normal, Heisman like self only completing 50% of his passes and throwing three interceptions. His final pick sealed the Packs loss in overtime.
ECU QB Dominque Davis torched States defense for 376 yards, 2 TD's and scored the eventual game winning TD run in overtime.
This was a game for NC State that gave them an opportunity to move to 6-1, and likely slide back into the Top 25. With Florida State up next, they need to find a way to refocus. That game is will probably decide who represents the Atlantic in this years conference title game.
Prediction: NC State 59, East Carolina 24
Miami 28, Duke 13
This game had trap written all over it for the Canes. They were coming off a huge loss to in-state rival Florida State and are headed into a battle with suddenly thriving North Carolina next week.
Miamis offense, while not putting many points on the board, was methodical and effective enough to rack up nearly 450 yards. QB Jacory Harris only completed 50% of his passes but did go for over 200 yards, a TD and more importantly no INT's. RB Damien Berry provided the ground game, rushing for over 100 yards for the third straight game.
The defense is the unit that deserves the game ball. They shut down one of the best passing offenses in the conference and forced seven turnovers on the day. It has to be a slight concern to Coach Shannon though that his team winds up +5 on turnovers on the day but only wins by 15.
Prediction: Miami 41, Duke 24
Georgia Tech 42, MTSU 14
Prediction: Georgia Tech 38, MTSU 17
Only up 14-7 at the half, Georgia Tech faithful had to be thinking 'WTF'. Apparently QB Joshua Nesbitt and company got felt the vibe. The Jackets outscored the Raiders 28-7 in the second half to go from a close call to a blowout.
Tech had a typical, dominating rushing attack, rolling up 329 yards on the ground. Nesbitt topped 100 yards and RB Anthony Allen had 2 TD's.
GT's defense gave up a decent amount of yardage but stopped MTSU where it counted - the scoreboard. That due in part to forcing six turnovers on the day.
Virginia Tech 52, Wake Forest 21
This one went as expected. The Hokies continued to show they are getting better and better every week. Their offense was clicking on all cylinders as they racked up over 600 yards. Even more important was the balance: 314 through the air, and 291 on the ground.QB Tyrod Taylor was on the entire game. The times of him scrambling every play are gone. He's proven he really is a true dual-threat.
Wake was overmatched coming in but had one BRILLIANT bright spot in this game - the play of RB Josh Adams. He ran for 241 yards on just 20 carries. And this came against one of the better rushing defenses in the conference.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 42, Wake Forest 17
North Carolina 44, Virginia 10
This was a hard one to gauge coming in. Virginia has shown flashes of improvement coming in. North Carolina was coming off a hard fought win and hadn't won at the Cavs in 29 years.
Well, T.J. Yates put all Tar Heel doubters to rest. He finished 17/22 for 325 yards and 3 TD's. It's amazing the transformation he has made from INT happy last year to having an 11-to-1 TD-to-INT ratio in 2010.
The Heels racked up 44 points and nearly 500 yards of offense, utilizing five turnovers from Virginia. Cav QB Marc Verica, who came in as one of the better ranked QB's in the ACC, was picked off three times.
On a positive note for Virginia, RB Keith Payne went over 100 yards again and had his eighth TD of the year.
Prediction: North Carolina 24, Virginia 14
Week 7: What We Learned in ACC Football
2 of 7
- The Coastal Division picture is still a bit murky. Virginia Tech seems to be the team to beat but North Carolina is looking better and better each week. Georgia Tech and Miami are still hanging around, but look a step behind the Hokies and Heels.
- If the NC States loss to East Carolina is any idea of how they'll look against Florida State, then the Atlantic race is already over. Clemson looked light years better than previous weeks, but they already have two ACC losses. If they manage to run the table in conference play, Florida State would still have to lose another game - but to whom?
- North Carolina is getting better and better and may now have the upper hand on Miami and Georgia Tech.
- NC State QB Russell Wilson is human after all. He threw 3 INT's against a horried East Carolina defense.
- Clemson DE DaQuan Bowers is hands down one of the best defensive linemen in the country. He was 4th in the nation in sacks coming in and added three to his total against the Terps.
- Virginia Tech QB Tyrod Taylor is simply getting better and better throwing the ball. The ACC's leader in passing efficiency completed 19/27 passes for almost 300 yards and 3 TD's.
- The CP7 Heisman campaign is officially over (if it even had any life coming into today).
- Boston College RB Montel Harris is a 5-Diamond player stuck on a 1-Diamond team. He went for 191 yards in the Eagles close loss to Florida State.
- Clemson RB Andre Ellington really is a mini-CJ Spiller. On a day in which Spiller was getting his #28 retired, AE did his best Spiller-esque imitation on an 87-yard kickoff return for a TD.
- Wake Forest redshirt freshman RB Josh Adams is a true running threat, as he went for 241 yards against Virginia Tech.
Week 7: ACC Football ACColades
3 of 7
Offensive Team of the Week: Virginia Tech
The Hokies rolled up 605 yards of well balanced offense, 314 passing and 291 rushing in route to 52 points.
Defensive Team of the Week: Miami
The Hurricanes held a potent Duke offense to under 300 total yards and forced seven turnovers, including 5 interceptions from QB Sean Renfree.
Offensive Player of the Week: RB Josh Adams, Wake Forest
The redshirt freshman tallied 241 yards rushing on just 20 carries, an eye-popping average of 12.1 yards per carry and had 2 TD's. This came against the #3 rushing defense in the ACC.
Defensive Player of the Week: DE DaQuan Bowers, Clemson
Bowers entered the game against Maryland tied for fourth in the nation in sacks. He added to that total with 3 sacks, and also had 4 tackles for loss to go along with constant pressure on the Terp QB all day.
Specialist of the Week: K Nate Freese, Boston College
The freshman kicker went 4-4 on field goals and 1-1 on PAT's against Florida State. He was the main reason the Eagles nearly pulled off the upset.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Week 7 ACC Football: By The Numbers
4 of 7
(- 4) - Turnover ratio by overcome by Florida State in their win against Boston College.
0% - Miami was 0-4 on 4th down attempts against Duke.
2 - The Miami defense is now averaging 2 interceptions per game after 5 against Duke.
3 - Sacks by Clemson DE DaQuan Bowers. He now has 9 on the year.
5 - INT's throw by Duke QB Sean Renfree in a loss to Miami.
5 - Number of turnovers forced by North Carolina against Virginia.
6 - Number of turnovers forced by Georgia Tech.
6 - 300 yard passing games by NC State QB Russell Wilson.
7 - Number of turnovers Miami forced against Duke.
10 - Maryland RB Da'Rel Scott is the 10th Terp to reach 3,000 all-purpose yards.
12.1 - Average yard per rush for Wake Forest RB Josh Adams.
14.7 - Yards per pass for North Carolina QB T.J. Yates.
15-0 - Georgia Tech is undefeated with Coach Johnson when scoring 30 points or more.
19 - Consecutive games Miami WR Leonard Hankerson has made a catch.
21 - Career rushing TD's by Virginia Tech QB Tyrod Taylor, tied for most in school history.
26 - The total first down advantage Virginia Tech (35) had over Wake Forest (9).
29 - Years since North Carolina last won at Virginia.
49 - Points by Virginia Tech in just the first half against Wake Forest.
55 - Consecutive PAT's made by North Carolina K Casey Barth.
90% - Clemson is now scoring a TD in 90% of its' red-zone appearances (18 of 20).
137 - Number of yards Maryland outgained Clemson by in a 31-7 loss.
191 - Yards rushing by Boston College RB Montel Harris in their loss to Florida State.
241 - Yards rushing by Wake Forest RB Josh Adams against Virginia Tech.
605 - Total yards by Virginia Techs offense in their route of Wake Forest.
972 - Total yards amassed between NC State and East Carolina.
Updated 2010 ACC Football Standings
5 of 7
Florida State is running away with the Atlantic Division. They are off next week, giving them ample time to prepare for their showdown with NC State.
At this point, there are realistically only 3 other teams that can win the division aside from the Seminoles - NC State, Maryland and Clemson. The Terps will likely be dropped from that list very soon, as they have just begun facing tough ACC competition.
The Coastal is Virginia Techs to lose at this point. Georgia Tech is nipping on their heels, but they have a crucial game AT Clemson next week. That match-up and the Miami/North Carolina one will settle the dust some.
I started to go into a scenario of what needs to happen for each team to win, but quite frankly it's a little too early to be getting into that. Week 8 action will hopefully help a bit.
Week 8: What's On Tap
6 of 7
Week 8 features two key ACC showdowns. Georgia Tech, the reigning ACC Champ hits the road to take on the team they defeated in last years ACC Title Game, the Clemson Tigers. The Jackets are chasing Virginia Tech for first in the Coastal and can't afford another loss. The Tigers are sitting at 1-2 and have to run their conference slate for ANY chance at a return to the title game.
Georgia Tech isn't the only Coastal team facing a crucial game, with North Carolina heading down south to Miami to take on the Canes. Both squads have a 2-1 mark in ACC play, and both still have yet to play Virginia Tech. A win here is a MUST.
Full Slate of Games
- Duke @ Virginia Tech 12:00 - ACC Network
- Maryland @ Boston College 1:00 - ESPN3.com
- Georgia Tech @ Clemson 3:30 - ABC/ESPN
- Eastern Michigan @ Virginia 6:00 - ESPN3.com
- North Carolina @ Miami ??:?? - ESPN2
Until We Meet Again...
7 of 7
I'll be back tomorrow with some analysis of standings, and poll and BCS rankings.
Keep an eye as well for "Blitz Pickz: Week 8".
- Harlon Jordan
ACC Blitz
Website
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
