Chaotic as usual, the ACC currently has nine different teams either without a conference win or without a conference loss. Five games, all of which are head-to-head ACC match-ups, highlight the week seven slate where Technician assesses the rhythm of each team in the conference.
Boston College (1-5, 0-3 ACC) – “Dream On” by Aerosmith
“The past is gone
It went by, like dusk to dawn
Isn’t that the way
Everybody’s got their dues in life to pay”
For the Eagles to clinch a 13th consecutive winning season, it is going to take one of the more miraculous efforts the ACC has seen since expanding to 12 teams. Visits to Virginia Tech, Miami and Notre Dame highlight Boston College’s rather steep uphill battle to obtain bowl eligibility, but there will hopefully be no fear of losing this week with only practice standing in the way.
Next Game: at Virginia Tech (10/22, 3 p.m .)
#8 Clemson (6-0, 3-0 ACC) – “No One Believes Me” by Kid Cudi
“I know that something is wrong here
I can feel it but no one believes me
I know that something is strange here
I can sense it but no one believes me”
Continuing to shock the conference and the nation by uncharacteristically living up to growing expectations, the Tigers have emerged as a legitimate dark horse national title contender. Clemson may eventually get its chance to make skeptics true believers when they travel to Atlanta late in the season, but overlooking this week’s night game at Maryland would throw an all too familiar wrench into the plans.
Next Game: at Maryland (10/15, 7 p.m .)
Florida State (2-3, 0-2 ACC) – “Missed The Boat” by Modest Mouse
“Looking towards the future
We were begging for the past
Well we knew we had the good things
But those never seemed to last”
It’s officially time to panic in Tallahassee after three consecutive losses, which nearly eliminates the ‘Noles from Atlantic division contention. E.J . Manuel should have FSU back in the win column as they travel to Duke, but the preseason favorites to win the conference are in a massive hole.
Next Game: at Duke (10/15, 3 p.m .)
Maryland (2-3, 1-1 ACC) – “Dancing in the Dark” by Bruce Springsteen
“You can’t start a fire
You can’t start a fire without a spark
This gun’s for hire
even if we’re just dancing in the dark”
It’s been a blatantly hideous and unpredictable start for the Terps , who have ranged from beating Miami and taking Georgia Tech down to wire to getting roasted on its home turf by Temple. Under the hometown lights, Maryland can easily jump back into the conference title race with an upset over undefeated Clemson.
Next Game: vs. #8 Clemson (10/15, 7 p.m .)
N.C . State (3-3, 0-2 ACC) – “Stronger” by Kanye West
“I need you to hurry up now
’cause I can’t wait much longer
I know I got to be right now
’cause I can’t get much wronger”
The Pack is off this week and the timing is absolutely crucial. Although Mustafa Greene’s prospects continue to dwindle, the defensive line should offer a much stronger performance down the home stretch. State, headed off for a two game road trip before returning back to Raleigh against UNC , needs to finish 4-2 to become bowl eligible.
Next Game: at Virginia (10/22, TBD)
Wake Forest (4-1, 3-0 ACC) – “My Hero” by Foo Fighters
“There goes my hero
Watch him as he goes
There goes my hero
He’s ordinary”
They won’t be winning any beauty contests, but Wake Forest has already made every college football publication tear up their preseason predictions. Tanner Price, trailing only Clemson’s Tajh Boyd for passing yards per game within the ACC, has made flashing back to Riley Skinner and the magical 2006 Orange Bowl run an easy thing for Wake fans to do.
Next Game: vs. Virginia Tech (10/15, 3 p.m .)
Duke (3-2, 1-0 ACC) – “Maybe” by Sick Puppies
“Maybe I’m a dreamer
Maybe I’m misunderstood
Maybe you’re not seeing the side of me you should
Maybe I’m crazy”
Duke has quietly put together a nice run after a disappointing season-opening loss to Richmond, but the Devils will need a handful of huge upsets to attend a bowl game. Putting up a fight against a dejected Florida State team is certainly not out of the question for David Cutcliffe’s team.
Next Game: vs. Florida State (10/15, 3 p.m .)
#12 Georgia Tech (6-0, 3-0 ACC) – “Runnin’ Down a Dream” by Tom Petty
“I rolled on, the sky grew dark
I put the pedal down to make some time
There’s something good, waitin’ down this road
I’m picking up whatever is mine”
The Jackets slowed down last week against Maryland, but Paul Johnson will just be looking for his team to keep on rolling and running. A trip over to Charlottesville as heavy favorites is up next for the Rambling Wreck.
Next Game: at Virginia (10/15, 3:30 p.m .)
Miami (2-3, 0-2 ACC) – “Afterlife” by Avenge Sevenfold
“I don’t belong here,
we gotta move on dear
escape from this afterlife
‘Cause this time I’m right to move on and on,
far away from here”
After a tumultuous first two months of the season, the ‘Canes will be looking for a huge win at North Carolina this weekend. Needing a conference win to get back in the race, UM wants to come alive against a UNC team that was sloppy in a 14-7 win against Louisville.
North Carolina (5-1, 1-1 ACC) – “Upside Down” by Jack Johnson
“Who’s to say
What’s impossible
Well they forgot
This world keeps spinning
And with each new day
I can feel a change in everything”
What began as a throwaway season for UNC has turned out to be a hopeful one – Virginia Tech and Miami are not living up to preseason hype and a close loss at Georgia Tech is the lone blemish for the Heels. Everett Withers’s team can become bowl eligible if they beat Miami this weekend.
Next Game: vs. Miami (10/15, 12:30 p.m .)
Virginia (3-2, 0-1 ACC) – “A Beautiful Lie” by 30 Seconds to Mars
“Everyone’s looking at me
I’m running ’round in circles
Plagued with a quiet desperation’s building higher
I’ve got to remember this is just a game”
If the Cavs would like a postseason birth, barely escaping Idaho at home is not a good sign. Hosting Georgia Tech and then N.C . State, the Hoos are gearing up for the home stretch.
Next Game: vs. #12 Georgia Tech (10/15, 3:30 p.m .)
Virginia Tech (5-1, 1-1 ACC) – “Enter Sandman” by Metallica
“Something’s wrong, shut the light
Heavy thoughts tonight
And they aren’t of snow white
Dreams of war
Dreams of lies
Dreams of dragons fire”
The Hokies uncharacteristically let Miami run all over them en route to a close 38-35 win for Virginia Tech. Going to Winston-Salem is a nightmarish game for Logan Thomas and the Hokies , who need a win to keep pace with coastal division leader Ga. Tech.
