After this past Saturday, I’m pretty much throwing out anything I thought previously about the ACC except Clemson is the best team in the ACC, and Virginia Tech always gets better as the season progresses. Here are the week 7 awards.
The Good
That’s how you respond
Clemson was down 35-17 at Maryland in the 3rd quarter. Was this when Clemson became recent Clemson teams? The Tigers answered with a resounding NO. Clemson and the Sammy Watkins show went on for 56-45 comeback win. You aren’t always going to have your A game every time out, especially on the road. To get behind by that margin at Maryland, proves that this Clemson team is different. With North Carolina and Georgia Tech hitting walls, it is looking more and more like this team can run the table to the ACCCG.
Road Warriors
Florida State, Virginia Tech and Miami all won road ACC games last week. FSU over Duke wasn’t too shocking, but a nice win. Virginia Tech winning at Wake Forest was not earth shattering, but you have to like how the Hokies are starting to come together. After falling behind 10-0 the Hokies outscored the Deacs 38-7 the rest of the way. That’s a quality Wake Forest team too. QB Logan Thomas has put the Clemson debacle behind him, and is effectively running the Hokie offense and with David Wilson running well. Suddenly the Hokies look the team to beat in the Coastal Division.
Miami had a very solid road win at North Carolina. The Canes were not nearly as bad as their 2-3 record, and I had a feeling a big win was around the corner. I was figuring Georgia Tech this upcoming Saturday, but Miami was a week early. QB Jacory Harris is playing well, and Canes fans have to like that.
The Bad
Getting Worse
Since their red hot start, Georgia Tech had cooled off. It seems weird to say that about a team that’s 6-1, but simply put there wasn’t much good that can be taken from their effort at Virginia. The defensive line was completely manhandled upfront, and QB Tevin Washington looks like he’s lost any confidence he had earlier in the year. The Jackets have some big concerns, with running backs like Lamar Miller, Andre Ellington, and David Wilson up next. They better find a way to stop teams from running it down their throats.
Close doesn’t count
The Maryland Terrapins played two top 15 teams in Clemson and Georgia Tech into the final minutes, and couldn’t come away with the victories. I’m sure Randy Edsall will be the first to tell you, he doesn’t believe in moral victories. The game with Clemson had to be especially tough to take as the Terps led 28-10 and 35-17 on two different occasions. The Terp’s bowl chances are quickly slipping away, as Ralph Friegden smiles in the background.
Owned
After losing 41-16 to to Florida State, Duke is 0-17 all time against the Seminoles. No other comments necessary.
The Ugly
Blown Opportunity
North Carolina at home against Miami had a shot to set themselves up as a true contender in the ACC Coastal Division. They failed badly. The Heels fell behind 17-0 before the first quarter was over. With so much on the online and a road game next at Clemson, North Carolina will look at this as blown opportunity.
I can’t be too hard on Wake Forest for losing at home to Virginia Tech, but the Deacs could have really opened up some eyes with a win.
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