Scout.com: ACC Conference Roundup

Conference Roundup

Boston College … Will Boston College be able to turn it back on against Bowling Green? After sleepwalking through the past two weeks against Army and UMass, now the Eagles have to face a hot passing team that's going to push the ball deep for 60 minutes. BC cranked out the big drive it had to have late to beat the Minutemen, and it would be nice if there could be a true breather of a blowout. Right now, the team appears to be playing like it has 7-0 in the bag before facing Virginia Tech in late October.
Clemson … In the past, a loss like the one this week to Georgia Tech would send the Tigers into the tank for a few games, but with Virginia Tech coming up next, the team has to find a way to forget this clunker as soon as possible. The offensive line got destroyed by the Yellow Jackets, giving Cullen Harper no pass protection and doing next to nothing for the running game, while ill-timed penalties and special teams woes didn't help. This is still a supremely talented team that should be in the ACC title hunt, but it can't afford to lose at home to the Hokies.
Duke … The Blue Devil offensive line didn't have a chance against the Miami defensive line, but the mobility of Thaddeus Lewis allowed for the offense to keep things moving a little bit. The defense did a tremendous job of preventing the Canes from hitting on the big play, but couldn't stop Kyle Wright from connecting on his short to midrange throws. In all, it was a decent game for the Blue Devils, taking a hot team late into the fourth quarter.
Florida State … It's not like Xavier Lee hadn't gotten his shot in the past, but against Alabama, things started to click, and the talented receivers made the most of the switch. Lee not only threw well, but he finally showed off his mobility that makes him such a dangerous option in place of Drew Weatherford. Now the coaching staff has to pick him for next week's game against NC State, and stick with him. Lee can't be looking over his shoulder. Can there be a running game at some point? Alabama's defense might be nasty, but the ground game simply didn't work.
Georgia Tech… So that's going to be Georgia Tech football this year. Hope the defense rocks, get an All-America caliber performance from Tashard Choice, and get whatever it can from QB Taylor Bennett. After the last two weeks, the lines appeared to be ready for a challenge against Clemson, and they dominated. There's no margin for error now with road games against Maryland and Miami, but if the Yellow Jackets can pull off those wins, they'll be back in the ACC title hunt.
Maryland … Give the entire program credit for bouncing back from the devastating collapse to Wake Forest last week and playing its best game of the year to beat Rutgers. The rushing tandem of Keon Lattimore and Lance Ball were fantastic, and in relief of Jordan Steffy, who suffered a concussion, Chris Turner was efficient, helping the Terps control the clock for 36:57. The defense struggled against the passing attack, but did a great job of bottling up Ray Rice, for the most part, and not letting him get into any sort of a rhythm. Now the win has to carry over to ACC play, desperately needing to take advantage of a three-game home stretch against Georgia Tech, Virginia and Clemson.
Miami … Miami didn't exactly come up with a stellar performance against Duke, but it was efficient offensively when it had to be, and the defense came up with the timely sacks when desperately needed. Was this a bit of a letdown after the Texas A&M win, or is this indicative of how average the Canes really are? The defense has to do a better job of playing a full sixty minutes, while the offense simply isn't going to be a thrill ride. As long as the mistakes are kept to a minimum, this will be Miami football all year long.
North Carolina … The Tar Heel defense did a great job of keeping the Virginia Tech offense in check, while the offense had its moment. T.J. Yates is a baller; he was hit time and time again, and still hung tough under the pressure. Anthony Elzy ran well, and Hakeem Nicks had a nice game, but to beat the better teams, someone has to explode. Miami is beatable, but the offensive line will have to play far better next week to come up with the huge home win.
NC State … It's not like State didn't have its chances against Louisville to make a comeback, but three fumbles and the inability to come up with a big defensive stop in the fourth quarter proved to be the difference. Now the offense will likely be back in the hands of Daniel Evans, who stepped in for an injured Harrison Beck, and he's going to have to jumps-start a passing game that got yards against the Cardinals, but not enough meaningful ones. It's got to be killing head coach Tom O'Brien to see all the mistakes that keep killing good efforts
Virginia … It wasn't necessarily a statement game, blowing out Pitt by 30, but with the way the Cavaliers moved the ball with ease in the first half, and with the way they answered when it started to get closer in the second half, the team is playing extremely well. Cedric Peerman is carrying the load on offense, while Jameel Sewell is throwing well, despite not having any receivers. Now there can't be a lack of focus. With winnable games against Middle Tennessee and Connecticut ahead before diving back into ACC play, this could be the stunning team of the ACC season.
Virginia Tech … When you have a top-shelf defense, everything else seems to fall into place. The offense is playing too poorly, with Tyrod Taylor continuing to struggle with his downfield passing, and Branden Ore getting keyed on game in and game out. There's no excuse for only coming up with 241 yards of total offense against North Carolina, and there will need to be far more from the attack to win at Clemson next week.
Wake Forest… Didn’t Play This Week

Saturday, September 29
12:00 PM	at Virginia Tech 17 ... North Carolina 10 CFN Prediction: VT 30-13 VT -17.5
12:00 PM	at Miami 24 ... Duke 14 CFN Prediction: Miami 30-10 Miami -24
1:00 PM	at Boston College 24 ... Massachusetts 14 CFN Prediction: BC 31-10
3:30 PM	at Georgia Tech 13 ... Clemson 3 CFN Prediction: Clemson 24-20 CU -3
3:30 PM	Maryland 34 ... at Rutgers 24 CFN Prediction: Rutgers 33-13 RU -15
3:30 PM	Louisville 29 ... at NC State 10 CFN Prediction: UL 42-24 UL -8.5
5:00 PM	Florida State 21 ... Alabama 14 CFN Prediction: Alabama 23-13 FSU -2
7:00 PM	at Virginia 44 ... Pitt 14 CFN Prediction: Virginia 27-16 UVa -7

Past ACC Games of the Week
Sept. 1 - Boston College 38 ... Wake Forest 28
Sept. 8 - East Carolina 34 ... North Carolina 31
Sept. 15 - Duke 20 ... Northwestern 14
Sept. 22 - Wake Forest 31 ... Maryland 24 OT
Sept. 29 - Florida State 21 ... Alabama 14

Past ACC Players of the Week
Sept. 1 - Boston College QB Matt Ryan
Sept. 8 - Clemson QB Cullen Harper
Sept. 15 - Boston College QB Matt Ryan
Sept. 22 - Clemson RBs James Davis & C.J. Spiller
Sept. 29 - Maryland RB Keon Lattimore