From those who are heart broken to those facing psychological identity crises, the beginning of November can be a difficult time for the Atlantic Coast Conference. Here at Technician, we understand every program can use a shoulder to cry on, advice on how to get revenge, or a re-worded description of how they are basically hopeless for the foreseeable future. From Chestnut Hill to Coral Gables, the art of country music guides our examination for each school’s case of sadness, misery or anger.
Atlantic Division
Boston College (2-7, 1-5 ACC)– “When I Call Your Name” by Vince Gill
“Oh the lonely sound of my voice calling/Is driving me insane/And just like rain the tears keep falling/Nobody answers when I call your name.”
The Eagles may in fact be stir crazy after imploding so early on in the season. Despite being out of a relationship with bowl game eligibility for a considerable amount of time, Boston College will try to move forward now that it has officially been eliminated from the postseason for the first time since 1997.
Next Game: vs. N.C . State (11/12, 12:30 p.m ., ESPN3.com )
#11 Clemson (8-1, 5-1 ACC) – “What Hurts The Most” – Rascal Flatts
“What hurts the most/Was being so close/And having so much to say/And watching you walk away/And never knowing/What could have been.”
It’s one of the most difficult things in life–the break up. As soon as Clemson seriously entered the National Championship picture, the Tigers fell flat in Atlanta and will now have to shift its focus toward the far less-attractive girl, the ACC Championship.
Next Game: vs. Wake Forest (11/12, TBD)
Florida State (6-3, 4-2 ACC) – “I’m Gonna Change Everything” by Jim Reeves
“Yeah I’m gonna change everything that holds a mem’ry of you oh yeah/I’m gonna start with the wall stick the pictures off the wall and burn ’em/Move the chairs around take the window curtains down and burn ’em/Everything I see reminds me you were here.”
Despite rounding back into form with four straight wins, mental images of key losses to Clemson and Wake Forest will partially define the Seminoles’s season. Sitting atop the ACC in terms of total defense, one can only wonder how the Tigers and Deacons burned FSU for a combined 70 points.
Next Game: vs. Miami (11/12, TBD)
Maryland (2-6, 1-4 ACC)– “Who’s That Man” – Toby Keith
“That’s my house and that’s my car/That’s my dog in my back yard/There’s the window to the room/Where she lays her pretty head/I planted that tree out by the fence/Not long after we moved in/That’s my kids and that’s my wife/Whose that man, runnin my life?”
As Maryland Athletics Director Kevin Anderson drives past former coach Ralph Friedgen’s house, there’s no doubt the Terrapins are experiencing a mental breakdown. With no quarterback in place and the No. 118 rushing defense in the country, a program of recent promise will probably be crying alone in the corner for the rest of the season.
Next Game: vs. Virginia (12:30 p.m ., ESPN3.com )
N.C . State (4-4, 1-3 ACC) – “Before He Cheats” by Carrie Underwood
“That I dug my key into the side of his pretty little souped up 4-wheel drive/Carved my name into his leather seats/I took a Louisville slugger to both headlights/Slashed a hole in all four tires/Maybe next time he’ll think before he cheats.”
Following the Tar Heels’ well-documented scandal (based largely around a lack of academic integrity), UNC’s interim head football coach Everett Withers recently questioned the “educational environment” at N.C . State while also referencing a gap in graduation rates between the two schools. Metaphorically speaking, Tom O’Brien would like his team to take a Louisville Slugger to the ironic statement by Withers.
Next Game: vs. North Carolina (12:30 p.m ., ACC Network)
Wake Forest (5-3, 4-2 ACC) – “Young” by Kenny Chesney
“Had no excuses for the things that we’d done /We were brave, we were crazy, we were mostly/Young
Much like the UCLA team who inexplicably controls its own destiny in the Pac-12, Wake is a young team who still has lofty aspirations despite underachieving play, and those Atlantic Division dreams will not be altered this week by virtue of the Deacs jumping out of conference to play Notre Dame.
Next Game: vs. Notre Dame (8 p.m ., ABC)
Coastal Division
Duke (3-5, 1-3 ACC)– “Tired of Pretending” by Blue Rodeo
“Like the moonlit shadows/On a snow-covered field/Where the wind knows no mercy/And she howls/And she reels/But I’m tired of pretending/Yes I’m tired of pretending/That I still care.”
Poor, lonely Duke. Even when the Devils hold Virginia Tech to 14 points, Duke can not find a defining win to exorcise those perpetual demons.
Next Game: at Miami (3 p.m ., ESPN3.com )
Georgia Tech (7-2, 4-2 ACC) – “Come Back Song” by Darius Rucker
“I know I said I wouldn’t miss you/But now I’m saying I’m a fool /You’re on the feel good side of leaving /And I’m the backside of a mule.”
The Rambling Wreck has lived up to its nickname the past several weeks and, much like Florida State, will be deeply regretting a two-game breakdown if next Thursday’s showdown with Virginia Tech does not result in a victory. For right now, it’s all about believing in a comeback.
Next Game: vs. Virginia Tech (11/10, 8 p.m ., ESPN)
Miami (4-4, 2-3 ACC) – “That Ain’t No Way To Go” by Brooks and Dunn
“Like a thief in the night, you ran away with my heart/I can’t believe my eyes, must be a bad dream/You always said we had a good thing/You never once let on we were falling apart.”
Coming off of convincing wins against UNC and Georgia Tech, the ‘Canes handed it back with a bad Thursday night loss at home to Virginia. Coastal Division hopes dashed, Miami will prepare to cool it’s aching heart with a homecoming game against Duke.
Next Game: vs. Duke (3 p.m ., ESPN3.com )
North Carolina (6-3, 2-3 ACC) – “Sparks Fly” by Taylor Swift
“I’m on my guard for the rest of the world/But with you I know it’s no good/And I could wait patiently but I really wish you would.”
The UNC-State rivalry received an extra push from Everett Withers, who will try to turn the Pack away from beating Carolina for a fifth consecutive season. Even without Russell Wilson, the Heels will need to get over a mental hump to find a win.
Next Game: at N.C . State (12:30 p.m ., ACC Network)
Virginia (5-3, 2-2 ACC) – “Yes or No” by George Strait
“Do you love me, do you wanna be my friend?/And if you do, well then don’t be afraid to take me by the hand, if you want to/I think this is how love goes, check yes or no.”
The Hoos can not seem to make up their mind as to what team they would like to be – after a huge win over Georgia Tech, they struggled in a loss against State before upsetting Miami last Thursday night. Another huge trap game looms when UVA visits lowly Maryland.
Next Game: at Maryland (12:30 p.m ., ESPN3.com )
#12 Virginia Tech (8-1, 4-1 ACC)– “Who Are You When I’m Not Looking” by Blake Shelton
“My oh my, you’re so good looking/Hold yourself together like a pair of bookends/But I’ve not tasted all you’re cooking/Who are you when I’m not looking.”
Tech has found ways to win this season, but several of them have been rather concerning. With a combined 31 points versus ECU and Duke, one can only wonder if the Hokies are eating Twinkies in place of practicing during weeks where they play inferior opponents.
Next Game: at Georgia Tech (11/10, 8 p.m ., ESPN)
