We’ve been waiting for a couple of teams to play some consistent football in the ACC. I think we finally saw that this weekend… Check out my 10 quick takes on the ACC for this week.
1) Clemson is getting better and better each week.
Look I know NC State came in emotionally spent after their tough loss to FSU. There is no question about that, but Clemson looked like a complete team today. The Tigers shutout a Wolfpack team that dropped over 40 on FSU. The defense was dominant, and Deshaun Watson was in complete control at QB. His hurdling of a NC State defender to score a TD was simply incredible. The Tigers even found a running game. The Tigers looked very much like a team that could the run the table. Louisville will present some unique defensive challenges for the Tigers next week. That should be fun.
2) Georgia Tech is 5-0, I repeat Georgia Tech is 5-0.
How many of you had Georgia Tech 5-0 at this point in the season? Auburn and FSU aren’t looking over their shoulders, but Paul Johnson is maximizing what he has with this team. His triple option offense is being superbly run by Justin Thomas and grinded Miami into the ground Saturday. His offense limited Miami’s possessions and kept the Jackets suspect defense off the the field. That suspect defense struggles stopping people but is creating turnovers, and if they can continue doing that this is a team that can win 9 or 10 games. That’s how Georgia Tech needs to win games, control TOP and create turnovers on defense. Right now Johnson is getting good execution from his team. The Jackets aren’t going undefeated, but after beating Virginia Tech and Miami, they will be a factor in the Coastal all year.
3) Al Golden your time is about to run out
If you watched to tonight, Miami was player for player better than Georgia Tech. The problem is the Yellow Jackets were better coached and out executed the Hurricanes. They simply made fewer mistakes. I really thought Golden could get things done at Miami, but the Canes look further away from being a top 25 caliber team than ever. I can’t believe the ACC Media picked them the ACC Coastal favorite. It was clear the schedule would never allow it, and now Golden’s coaching is making sure it won’t happen.
4) Time to start giving Florida State credit
Florida State week after week got ripped nationally for inconsistent sloppy efforts. Well the Seminoles remain undefeated at 5-0 after beating Wake Forest 43-3, while the most of the top 10 got turned upside down. When the polls come out tomorrow the Noles will have beat 2 ranked teams, Clemson with their backup QB, and Oklahoma St. on a neutral site. When Oregon can’t win at home as a double digit favorite this week, it’s time to start giving FSU credit for taking care of business.
5) UNC is a trainwreck
The ACC’s most disappointing team is an absolute train wreck. The lost 34-17 at home to previously struggling Virginia Tech. I don’t even know what to say about the Tar Heels, except I’d put Larry Fedora in that same running out of time boat with Al Golden. What a disaster in Chapel Hill. Oh boy Notre Dame is next week.
6) Schizophrenic Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech has a brilliant win at Ohio State, slept walked and lost to ECU, collapsed against Georgia Tech, and dominated on the road at UNC. The Hokies got a critical win at North Carolina today. Yes the Tar Heels are mess, but the Hokies were having their own issues, and controlled the game from start to finish. Who is this team? I don’t know yet, but they have 12 days to tell us. Can the Hokies turn the corner and win at Pittsburgh October 16? This is a team I believe can still win the Coastal if they play to their potential. We’ve seen what they can do at their best.
7) Louisville says don’t forget about us
Very quietly the Cardinals are 5-1 and are 2 points from being undefeated. The Cardinals are playing the best defense in the ACC right now, and I think they are the conference’s best defense given Flordia State’s injuries on D. They went to Syracuse and cruised to a 28-6 win. They go to Clemson next to face future Heisman candidate Deshaun Watson, and a peaking Clemson team. If the Cardinals win that game, they would control their ACC Atlantic destiny. As I said before, that matchup is very intriguing
8) No more questioning Virginia
If there were still any remaining doubters that Virginia was a quality team, tonight should erase any doubts. The Hoos got a good victory against Pittsburgh at home Saturday. This is a good team. They play solid defense, and they can run the ball. It is a physical team, that is just hard to deal with. They don’t make a lot of mistakes. After all the craziness in the ACC Coastal it looks like a 3 team race, Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech, and Virginia. Duke can get back in the picture if they can win at Georgia Tech next week. Mike London really has turned things around this year for the Cavaliers.
9) Is it basketball season yet?
We know they’ve turned to basketball season at UNC. Syracuse after falling to 2-3 and in general looking awful is ready for it. Florida State is next week in a game that could get real ugly. The Orange were a trendy pick for a surprise season. They won’t even make a bowl without a major turnaround.
10) Almost Season Halfway point ACC Power Rankings
1) FSU 2) Clemson 3) Georgia Tech 4) Virginia 5) Louisville 6) Virginia Tech 7) Boston College 8) NC State 9) Miami 10) Duke 11) Pittsburgh 12) Syracuse 13) UNC 14) Wake Forest
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