Scout.com: ACC Conference Roundup

Conference Roundup

Boston College … BC got away with a bad game from Matt Ryan against Virginia Tech, but it couldn't do it two weeks in a row. While he might be the Heisman-caliber star to rely on time and again, it would help to get some semblance of a running game that hasn't been there for a few weeks. Florida State got decent pressure on Ryan, like the Hokies did, and while Ryan normally handled it well, he appeared to press too much with the weight of the offense on his shoulders. The loss hurts, but it wasn't a killer. The ACC title is still there for the taking, but there can't be a slip against hot Clemson in two weeks. Beating Maryland is a must to get the team's groove back after two straight rough battles.
Clemson … Cullen Harper is playing at another level. While Matt Ryan might have the All-ACC quarterback spot locked up, it could be argued that Harper is having just as good a year. He's not making mistakes, is taking advantage of the excellent protection he's getting, and is making all the right decisions. After having no problems with Duke, now the work begins for the Tigers with Wake Forest, Boston College and South Carolina coming up. A very good season could be special with wins against those three.
Duke … The Duke passing game wasn't awful against Clemson; there simply weren't any big plays after the first scoring drive. The running game continues to be non-existent with no help whatsoever from the running backs. At this point, it's all on the defense to force turnovers and opportunities, and QB Thaddeus Lewis has be spotless. Clemson's defense might be great, but only 198 yards of total offense, after going on a 63-yard scoring drive early, is unacceptable at this point in the year.
Florida State … After the loss to Miami a few weeks ago, and with the switch to Drew Weatherford, the passing game has finally found some consistency, helped by an offensive line that's doing a good job of keeping him upright. While Weatherford was tremendous in outplaying Matt Ryan this week, punter Graham Gano might have been the MVP of the game highlighted by a brilliant 64-yard kick that pinned the Eagles deep, and averaging 49.5 yards on four kicks. Will this win over BC give the team the confidence to win road games at Virginia Tech and Florida in the final three weeks? A good season could turn into a fantastic one if the team continues to play this well.
Georgia Tech… The Georgia Tech offensive line couldn't handle the fearsome Virginia Tech defensive line, and couldn't give Taylor Bennett time. It wasn't all the O line's fault that GT QBs threw five interceptions, and while the loss of the top running backs to injury two weeks ago can't be blamed considering Jonathan Dwyer ran well. Nothing clicked after getting up 3-0, and nothing on offense worked. With Duke and North Carolina ahead, there's still a good shot at a nice record and a good bowl, while beating Georgia at the end of the year would mean almost as much to many as a division title. In other words, there's still a lot to play for.
Maryland … All of a sudden, the season that looked so promising just a few weeks ago after beating Rutgers and Georgia Tech has gone into the tank with three straight losses. Everyone is loading up to stop the good Terp running backs, and Chris Turner isn't able to come through. The receiving corps needs to provide more of a spark. The defense has been fine, but it's not changing the game with any big plays. Now a bowl bid is in big trouble with Boston College and road trips to Florida State and NC State ahead.
Miami … Kirby Freeman can't be given the keys to the car anymore. Against NC State, he showed once again that he's unable to lead the Miami offense, completing just one of 14 passes, even though he had help from the running game. There's no excuse for Miami to run for 314 yards and lose a game 19-16. Now, with Virginia, at Virginia Tech and at Boston College ahead, and at 5-4, Miami is in big trouble in the bowl hunt.
North Carolina … It might not have been a thing of beauty, but the Tar Heels will take it. A win over Maryland keeps the dream of a bowl game alive, but to get by road games against NC State and Georgia Tech, before dealing with Duke, there has to be more offensive production. They got away with 259 yards against the Terps, but that's a tough way to try to win. T.J. Yates threw two picks, there was a fumble, and 11 penalties, but the team found a way to win. The explosion has to start to kick in; the Terps didn't respect the deep ball at all.
NC State … NC State isn't playing any run defense, got an average day out of the offense, but it came up with a big win at Miami and now, after a brutal start, is in a great position to get to a bowl game needing to win two of the final three against North Carolina, at Wake Forest and Maryland. Wolfpack football might not be pretty, but it's getting the job done over the last three weeks by keeping the mistakes to a minimum and capitalizing on everyone else's screwups. Daniel Evans had a more effective day throwing the ball than his 19-40 stats would indicate.
Virginia … Talk about a charmed life. Virginia has now won three games by a total of three points after surviving Wake Forest. The ACC title hopes remain alive with Miami and Virginia Tech ahead, and as long as Jameel Sewell and Mikell Simpson continue to make the offense go just enough to get by, and as long as the defense continues to get timely stops, this could turn into a special year. Eventually all the close games have to come back to bite the Cavs, right? Maybe not. It's happening too many times to be a fluke.
Virginia Tech … Talk about bouncing back from a rough loss, the defense was all over Georgia Tech QB Taylor Bennett, forcing him to make mistakes all game long. He's not Matt Ryan, and the Yellow Jackets never got a chance to breathe. Sean Glennon was nearly perfect, coming up with one of his sharpest, best games of his career. While Tyrod Taylor is still in the mix once his ankle is healthy, Glennon might be the calm, even-keel fit for the attack right now.
Wake Forest… The Demon Deacons were playing Demon Deacon football against Virginia, but Sam Swank's missed two field goals and the D wasn't able to come up with a late stop. Even so, there's still not much of a reason to worry too much going down the stretch. Riley Skinner continues to play extremely well, Kenneth Moore continues to be fantastic, and the team is playing well. There's no reason to think there can't be two wins in the final three games against Clemson, NC State and Vanderbilt.

Thursday, November 1
7:30 PM	Virginia Tech 27 ...at Georgia Tech 3 CFN Prediction: GT 19-16 VT -2.5

Saturday, November 3
12:00 PM	at Virginia 17 ... Wake Forest 16 CFN Prediction: Wake Forest 20-17 WF -1
12:00 PM	Clemson 47 ... at Duke 10 CFN Prediction: Clemson 38-10 Clemson -16
12:00 PM	North Carolina State 19 ... at Miami 16 OT CFN Prediction: Miami 27-18 Miami -13.5
3:45 PM	at North Carolina 16 ... Maryland 13 CFN Prediction: UNC 26-23 UNC -2.5
8:00 PM	Florida State 27 ... at Boston College 17 CFN Prediction: BC 31-17 BC -6.5

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
Oct. 6 - Wake Forest 41 ... at Duke 36
Oct. 13 - Wake Forest 24 ... Florida State 21
Oct. 20 - Virginia 18 ... at Maryland 17
Oct. 27 - Boston College 14 ... at Virginia Tech 10
Nov. 3 - at Virginia 17 ... Wake Forest 16

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
Oct. 6 - Virginia Tech LBs Vince Hall & Xavier Adibi
Oct. 13 - Georgia Tech RB Tashard Choice
Oct. 20 - Wake Forest WR Kenneth Moore
Oct. 27 - Boston College QB Matt Ryan
Nov. 3 - Florida State QB Drew Weatherford

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