Ranging from one dark horse national title contender to a few utterly hopeless and desperate teams, everyone in the ACC is now playing the back nine of their respective schedules. In this week’s conference roundup, Technician assesses the current state of each program as they look ahead to the future.
Boston College (1-5, 0-3 ACC) – “Sleeping Sickness” by City and Colour
“Someone come and, someone come and save my life
Maybe I’ll sleep when I am dead
But now it’s like the night is taking sides
With all the worries that occupy the back of my mind”
It’s probably been said too many times, but no other stat explains the uncharacteristic collapse of the Eagles more than this one – BC’s rushing defense, which ranked in the nation’s top 15 for the past four seasons, has plummeted to No. 68 in the country.
Next Game: at #12 Virginia Tech (3 p.m ., ESPN3.com )
#7 Clemson (7-0, 4-0 ACC) – “When the Tigers Broke Free” by Pink Floyd
“It was dark all around.
There was frost in the ground
When the tigers broke free.
And no one survived”
In total control of the Atlantic division, it appears the only team who can take an ACC Championship Game appearance away from Clemson is Clemson itself. Although looking ahead has been disastrous for the program in the past, it’s perfectly fine for the media to throw out a hypothetical – if the Tigers run the table and end up with five wins over ranked opponents, an outside shot at the National Title game could be a realistic thought.
Next Game : vs. North Carolina (Noon, ESPN)
Florida State (3-3, 1-2 ACC) – “Breath” by Breaking Benjamin
“So sacrifice yourself, and let me have what’s left.
I know that I can find the fire in your eyes.
I’m going all the way, get away, please.”
Re-evaluating expectations is the name of the game in Tallahassee, as three early losses have put the ‘Noles in an unenviable hole behind undefeated Atlantic division leader, Clemson. Florida State will most likely be favored in its next five games, so a little motivation and a little running game (ranked 10th in the ACC) would go a long way toward Jimbo Fisher salvaging his second season at FSU.
Maryland (2-4, 1-2 ACC) – “Not Meant to be” by Theory of a Deadman
“It’s like one step forward and two steps back
No matter what I do you’re always mad
And I, baby I’m sorry to see
Maybe we’re not meant to be”
It will certainly take time for Randy Edsall to build the Maryland program in his own image, but the Terps seem worse off at the moment following a pair of awkward break ups coming nearly eight months apart – the 2010 ACC coach of the year (Ralph Friedgen ) and rookie of the year (Danny O’Brien) have been fired and benched, respectively. Unlikely to be bowl bound, it’s time to regroup in College Park.
Next Game : at Florida State (3:30 p.m ., ABC/ ESPN2 )
N.C . State (3-3, 0-2 ACC) – “Warning Sign” by Coldplay
“A warning sign,
I missed the good part then I realized
I started looking and the bubble burst
I started looking for excuses”
Plagued by injuries and a lack of depth, Tom O’Brien’s team will be desperate to upset Virginia up in Charlottesville. If the Pack fails to go 4-2 during the next six games to obtain bowl eligibility or loses to UNC for the first time since 2006, excuses will be the only explanation for why the program hasn’t continued to grow under O’Brien’s watch.
Next Game : at Virginia (3:30 p.m ., ESPNU )
Wake Forest (4-2, 3-1 ACC) – “Dare You to Move” by Switchfoot
“Welcome to resistance
The tension is here, tension is here
Between who you are and who you could be
Between how it is and how it should be”
Wake crashed the ACC party early on, but got blown away by Virginia Tech in Winston-Salem this past weekend. Dreaming about an Atlantic division title is not finished, but picking up two more wins over Duke and Vanderbilt and reaching a bowl game would mostly be considered a win for the little train that could.
Next Game : at Duke (12:30 p.m ., ACC Network)
Duke (3-3, 1-1 ACC) – “Never Gonna Change” by Saliva
“And I know that it’s over
And there’s nothing left to say
And we all pay the prices
Of the games that we play”
Needing three more wins to reach a bowl game for the first time in 17 years, Duke still has to battle Wake Forest and then the entire Coastal division. With virtually no running game ( 110th nationally) and virtually no defense ( 94th in total defense), the Blue Devils are likely to end up being a really nice, hard-working, 4-8 football team.
Next Game : vs. Wake Forest (12:30 p.m ., ACC Network)
#22 Georgia Tech (6-1, 3-1 ACC) – “Better Than This” by Keane
“Just keep your eyes on the road
And nothing can go wrong
You can do so much better than this
You can do so much better than this”
The Rambling Wreck, once an invincible force bound on a collision course to face Clemson in a battle of undefeated teams, only managed two completions in a loss at Virginia this past weekend. Surprisingly, the offense has played well below lofty expectations in the past two games, and a road trip to Miami is a dangerous one for the Yellow Jackets to tackle.
Next Game : at Miami (3:30 p.m ., ESPN)
Miami (3-3, 1-2 ACC) – “Today” by Smashing Pumpkins
“Today is the greatest
Day I’ve never known
Can’t wait for tomorrow
I might not have that long”
There has been no shortage of adversity for a Miami program entrenched in on and off field disappointments, but at least for one moment, the ‘Canes are hopeful. Another ranked opponent comes into Sun Life Stadium as Miami continues to build towards playing postseason football, a reward which could be taken away if the program eventually gets put on probation.
Next Game : vs. #22 Georgia Tech (3:30 p.m ., ESPN)
North Carolina (5-2, 1-2 ACC) – “Here it Goes Again” by OK Go
“Just when you think that you’re in control,
Just when you think that you’ve got a hold,
Just when you get on a roll,
Here it goes, here it goes, here it goes again.”
Contrary to what the scoreboard said, the Heels were largely outclassed by a Miami team who arrived in Chapel Hill with a pair of conference losses. They may have started 5-1, but it’s certainly gut check time for UNC – games at No. 7 Clemson, No. 12 Virginia Tech and N.C . State will make achieving a fourth consecutive 8-win season no routine task.
Next Game : at #7 Clemson (Noon, ESPN)
Virginia (4-2, 1-1 ACC) – “Come Alive” by Foo Fighters
“Desperate, meaningless, all filled up with emptiness
Felt like everything was said and done
I lay there in the dark, I close my eyes
You saved me the day you came alive”
There have been some ugly moments, including a 21-20 overtime escape against Idaho (1-6) and a disappointing home loss to Southern Miss, but second year coach Mike London and his team are suddenly staring a bowl bid right in the face. Trying to back up a massive upset of undefeated Georgia Tech, the Hoos still have home games against N.C . State and Duke to find two more wins.
Next Game : vs. N.C . State (3:30 p.m ., ESPNU )
#12 Virginia Tech (6-1, 2-1 ACC) – “Got Your Back” by T.I .
“Just wanna let you know we appreciate
Everything you do for us on a day to day
And I know we don’t show you all the time but we lucky that you ours
No bouquet of flowers could ever show how much we know we need you”
After Virginia Tech’s Coastal division prospects took a shot earlier in the year against Clemson, who would’ve guessed that the Hokies’ arch rival, Virginia, would be the one breaking the division open in mid-October? The Cavs shocked division leader Georgia Tech last weekend and the Hokies now appear to be the favorite to take the division if the Yellow Jackets fail to turn the tide.
Next Game : vs. Boston College (3 p.m ., ESPN3.com )
