During a pivotal weekend for a handful of ACC teams, it will be imperative to stay calm, cool and collected under the variety of pressures faced. For Clemson, it’s about going on the road in prime time to keep National Championship dreams alive. For teams like Virginia and N.C . State, it’s about going on the road to try and steal a victory toward possible bowl eligibility. And for Boston College, it’s about dancing misery away one depressing loss at a time.
Atlantic Division
Boston College (1-6, 0-4)– “Next Year” by Foo Fighters
“Into the sun we climb/Climbing our wings will burn white/Everyone strapped in tight/We’ll ride it out/I’ll be coming home next year”
There will be much brighter days in the future of BC football, but at least for 2011, the Eagles will be watching this year’s bowl season from Massachusetts.
Next Game: at Maryland (3 p.m ., ESPN3.com )
#5 Clemson (8-0, 5-0 ACC)– “40 Day Dream” by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
“I’ve been sleeping for forty days and/Yeah, I know that I’m sleeping cause this dream’s too amazing/She got gold doorknobs where her eyes used to be/One turn and I learned what it really means to see.”
Looking for win number nine while on cloud nine, Clemson represents the ACC’s best legitimate National Title shot since Florida State’s glory days of the 90s. While Saturday night’s game against Georgia Tech won’t have the billing it once promised, the Tigers electric passing game (7 plays of over 50 yards this season) can’t afford to lose momentum in a hostile environment.
Next Game: at Georgia Tech (8 p.m ., ABC)
Florida State (4-3, 2-2 ACC)– “Weather” by Summertime’s End
“I shut the window, I close the door/But here it’s still so very cold/I’ve tried so hard to forget, not to hold on to regret/But why’s regret so nice to hold.”
The ‘Noles could easily win out with the schedule they have down the stretch, but unfortunately, the damage has been done. Barring three consecutive losses out of Clemson, all Florida State can do is regret how the now healthy E.J . Manuel missed crucial game time earlier in the year.
Next Game: vs. N.C . State (Noon, ESPNU )
Maryland (2-5, 1-3 ACC)– “Stuck In The Middle With You” by Steve Miller Band
“Losin ‘ control, yeah I’m all over the place/Clowns to the left of me/Joker’s to the right/Here I am Stuck in the middle with you.”
In a game of the two worst teams record-wise in the conference, the Terps welcome Boston College. With prospects very high for either moral victory or an actual win, Maryland starts a three-game home stand to extend its bowl hopes.
Next Game: vs. Boston College (3 p.m ., ESPN3.com )
N.C . State (4-3, 1-2 ACC)– “I Won’t Back Down” by Tom Petty
“Well I know what’s right/I got just one life/In a world that keeps on pushin ‘ me around/But I’ll stand my ground and I won’t back down.”
Coming off of the bye week, Tom O’Brien proclaimed State has to press on with its current roster, which does not include major pieces Mustafa Greene and Jeff Rieskamp . Arriving in Tallahassee as a double-digit underdog, State will need perhaps its best team performance of the season to shock the Seminoles .
Next Game: at Florida State (Noon, ESPNU )
Wake Forest (5-2, 4-1 ACC)– “Can’t Stop” by Red Hot Chili Peppers
“The world I love/The trains I hop/To be part of the wave/Can’t stop.”
If Wake wants a shot at an Atlantic Division title, the Deacs need to win out or pray for an epic collapse out of Clemson. A Wake Forest loss this weekend against UNC will essentially hand the division over to undefeated Clemson.
Next Game: at North Carolina (3:30 p.m ., ESPNU )
Coastal Division
Duke (3-4, 1-2 ACC)– “Self Esteem” by The Offspring
“Well I guess I should stick up for myself/But I really think it’s better this way/The more you suffer/The more it shows you really care/Right? Yeah.”
It’s an old movie with a trite plot, but Duke lost a heartbreaker at home to Wake Forest just to make sure we didn’t put in the wrong DVD, or in Duke’s case, whatever was stuck into the VCR back in 1994.
Next Game: vs. Virginia Tech (12:30 p.m ., ESPN3.com )
Georgia Tech (6-2, 3-2 ACC)– “Kings and Queens” by 30 Seconds to Mars
“Into the night/Desperate and broken/The sound of a fight/Father has spoken/We were the kings and queens of promise/We were the victims of ourselves.”
Seemingly lost on the offensive side of the ball, Georgia Tech has been its own worst enemy – three turnovers in a 24-7 loss at Miami stung the Yellow Jackets’ hope for a Coastal Division title. Right now it’s the little things, like being dead last in the conference in terms of field goal percentage, that has led to the sudden implosion.
Next Game: vs. Clemson (8 p.m., ABC)
Miami (4-3, 2-2 ACC)– “To Be Alive Again” by Journey
“You’re not among the walkin’ wounded anymore/There’s a time to fall/There’s a time to rise above it all.”
Following a disappointing first half of the season, the ‘Canes have quietly wrestled back momentum with a road win at UNC and a home win against Georgia Tech. With its home crowd back again for a prime time game against Virginia, Miami is in position to rattle off its third straight on the strength of star running back Lamar Millar.
Next Game: vs. Virginia (10/27, 8 p.m., ESPN)
North Carolina (5-3, 1-3 ACC)– “With Or Without You” by U2
“My hands are tied, my body bruised/She’s got me with nothing left to win/And nothing else to lose.”
All of a sudden, the Heels’ 5-1 start looks like an artifact following underachieving performances against Miami and Clemson. This week UNC faces a team without orange in their uniforms, but that won’t make life any easier for the 101st ranked pass defense which has been a major letdown this season.
Virginia (4-3, 1-2 ACC)– “Square One” by Coldplay
“You’re in control, is there anywhere you wanna go?/You’re in control, is there anything you wanna know?/The future’s for discovering/The space in which we’re travelling.”
Much like last season, Mike London appeared to have a season-defining win under his belt after Virginia shocked Georgia Tech two weeks ago. However, the win over the Yellow Jackets doesn’t look as monumental following their recent slide and UVA’s opportunity to get closer to bowl eligibility went begging. Safe to say, it’s back to the drawing board for the Cavs.
Next Game: at Miami (10/27, 8 p.m., ESPN)
#12 Virginia Tech (7-1, 3-1 ACC)– “Drive” by Incubus
“And I can’t help but ask myself how much I let the fear/Take the wheel and steer/It’s driven me before/And it seems to have a vague, haunting mass appeal/But lately I’m beginning to find that I/Should be the one behind the wheel.”
In full control of their own destiny, the Hokies have gotten back to the team they are after an embarrassing home loss to Clemson Oct. 1. Aside from a Thursday night road trip to Georgia Tech, it’s difficult to imagine Virginia Tech stumbling into Charlotte to get a rematch against Clemson.
