Bowl games are not merely final destinations where players get awesome personalized tags for their backpacks – they are critical evaluations of a college football program and the direction it appears headed. Making it to a bowl game means your university gets showcased on national television, undecided recruits receive a lasting image prior to signing day, and fan bases have the opportunity to travel in a large block of pride. Six teams from the ACC have already clinched postseason spots, four desperately need wins to keep their hopes alive and two will soon be singing Christmas carols and drinking egg nog by the fireplace – either way, whether it’s the Orange Bowl, Chick-fil-A Bowl, or something in between, Technician is “Bowling for Soup” down the stretch.
Atlantic Division
Boston College (2-7, 1-5 ACC) – “Sad Sad Situation” by Bowling for Soup
“You took my heart like they towed my car/And they’re both still broken down/But while it looked pretty good on paper/And I come to find out later/That you’re insane.”
The Eagles have been lingering amidst rock bottom the whole season, and it’s not exactly a secret as to how they got there – a team ranked No. 103 in total offense and No. 83 in total defense has a tough time finding wins.
Bowl Projection : No Bowl For You
Clemson (8-1, 5-1 ACC) – “Greatest Day” by Bowling for Soup
“How far would I go/How long would I stay/To see it all /To carry it all back with me again/How hard would I try/Just to hear everybody say/This is gonna be my greatest day.”
It may be a while until the Death Valley faithful forget the heartbreaking loss Georgia Tech handed Clemson two weeks ago, but at least for now, the Tigers are one win away from securing their place in the ACC Championship game.
Bowl Projection : Orange Bowl vs. Cincinnati
Florida State (6-3, 4-2 ACC) – “Almost” by Bowling for Soup
“I almost dropped out to move to LA/Where I was almost famous for almost a day/And I almost had you/But I guess that doesn’t cut it/Almost loved you/I almost wished u would’ve loved me too.”
Speaking of bowl games, the ‘Noles have not known what it’s like to be out of one in over three decades. Unfortunately, it will take two Clemson losses and one more loss out of Wake Forest to miraculously find its way to the Atlantic Division crown.
Bowl Projection : Champs Sports Bowl vs. Notre Dame
Maryland (2-7, 1-5 ACC) – “Sick of Myself” by Bowling for Soup
“But I’m sick of myself when I look at you/Something is beautiful and true/In a world that’s ugly and a lie/It’s hard to even want to try/And I’m beginning to think baby you don’t know.”
It’s difficult to believe the Terps have gone from the ACC’s most improved team in 2010 to a total trainreck in 2011, and it’s even more difficult to believe they essentially did it to themselves. In his first season, Randy Edsall’s defense is dead last in the conference and has allowed opponents to convert third downs at a downright astonishing rate of 51.1 percent.
Bowl Projection : No Bowl For You
N.C . State (5-4, 2-3 ACC) – “Let’s Pretend We’re Not In Love” by Bowling for Soup
“We’ll go anywhere in the world you wish/I just don’t wanna be alone without you/Let’s make this interesting and start all over/Let’s run away/And pretend we’re not in love.”
After possibly saving his job with a 13-0 victory over Carolina, Tom O’Brien returns to his former stomping grounds at Boston College. Despite having a decided advantage on paper, State will need to pretend BC and Maryland are elite competition in order to avoid a major letdown.
Bowl Projection : Belk Bowl vs. Louisville
Wake Forest (5-4, 4-2 ACC) – “Down For The Count” by Bowling for Soup
“Down for the count, over and out/Toss in the towel cuz she really got the best of me/I can’t hang around, she kicks while I’m down/What was that sound?”
Wake started out the season as a Cinderella story, but the Deacs are now in a very precarious position – two wins over Clemson and Maryland means a trip to Charlotte to represent the Atlantic Division, but if they lose those two games and can not beat an improved Vanderbilt team, Wake Forest will not even reach a bowl game.
Bowl Projection : Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl vs. UCLA
Coastal Division
Duke (3-6, 1-4 ACC) – “High School Never Ends” by Bowling for Soup
“And I still don’t have the right look/And I still have the same three friends/And I’m pretty much the same as I was back then/High school never ends.”
It’s not technically over for the Devils, but it is going to take wins over Virginia, Georgia Tech and North Carolina to become bowl eligible. Aside from being mathematically alive, David Cutcliffe’s team will surely spend the offseason regretting three heartbreaking losses by a combined seven points.
Bowl Projection : No Bowl For You
Georgia Tech (7-3, 4-3 ACC) – “Turbulence” by Bowling for Soup
“And we’re all just passengers tonight/And we’re all just traveling through our lives/We will reach our destination/So just hang on for the ride/Say a prayer and close your eyes/It’s just a little turbulence.”
They looked completely lost over a two game stretch in mid-October, and that stretch has ended up burning the Yellow Jackets. With last night’s disappointing loss to No. 10 Virginia Tech, the Rambling Wreck is officially eliminated from the Coastal.
Bowl Projection : Sun Bowl vs. Utah
Miami (5-4, 3-3 ACC) – “This Ain’t My Day” by Bowling for Soup
“I didn’t wear a smile today/I looked up and all the blue skies turned grey/I don’t know how I’m expected to carry on this way/This ain’t my year, this ain’t my week, this ain’t my day.”
With a home game against lowly Boston College remaining, it would be a shocker if the ‘Canes did not crawl their way into the postseason. However, considering the start of a massive scandal hatching at the beginning of the season and a quartet of losses by one possession or less, the 2011 team is a skeleton of its old self.
Bowl Projection : Music City Bowl vs. Mississippi State
North Carolina (6-4, 2-4 ACC) – “I Don’t Know” by Bowling for Soup
“I’m on my way to west hall/And I don’t know/What you’re thinking when I show up/You invite me in/I sit and stare at the walls/Full of pictures/Of the people and the places, you hold dear.”
Even though the Heels are bowl eligible and have just two games remaining, nobody really knows where UNC will end up this December. Considering there is a strong possibility the ACC sends nine teams to the postseason, fans of teams like Carolina and Wake are going to have to guess until we get closer.
Bowl Projection : Military Bowl vs. Temple
Virginia (6-3, 3-2 ACC) – “Only Young” by Bowling for Soup
“We’re only young, running wild/Only young, get it right/We’ve got all the time in the world tonight/We’re only young, you and I/Only young, let it ride/Right here, the best night of our lives.”
In only his second season, coach Mike London has the Hoos bowling for the first time since the 2007 season. The Cavs will be playing with house money for the rest of the season and even control their own destiny in the Coastal Division.
Bowl Projection : Music City Bowl vs. Mississippi State
#10 Virginia Tech (9-1, 5-1 ACC) – “Live It Up” by Bowling for Soup
“Me, I never had a clue/But now me, I’ve got you/Me and you’ve got something that has long been overdue/I hope you hang around, and baby, we’ll get down/We’ll get down and boogie, and we’re gonna paint the town.”
Now in full control of the Coastal Division following last night’s victory at Georgia Tech, the Hokies are poised to find Clemson in a rematch in Charlotte.
Bowl Projection : Chick-fil-A Bowl vs. Auburn