ACC Football Week 7 Breakdown
The ACC is beginning to shape out – just not necessarily the way everybody thought. Clemson and Georgia Tech are tumbling toward a meeting in the ACC Championship game in December. Florida State, originally the conference favorite, has faded over the last few weeks. And don’t count out Wake Forest. They are very quietly undefeated in the ACC.
GAME OF THE WEEK
Virginia Tech versus Wake Forest
Upon reviewing the schedule at the beginning of the season this would have been an unlikely choice for Game of the Week. Virginia Tech, perennially a contender, would have been assumed to dominate the young Demon Deacons. Virginia Tech has been spotty and had inconsistent quarterback play. By contrast, Wake Forest is finding ways to score points and is led by quarterback Tanner Price, who has been outstanding.
Wake Forest is 3-0 in the ACC for the first time ever as a conference member. Virginia Tech only has one loss, but they are on shaky ground. After beating Miami by three points last weekend, Tech nation is weary how many more wins this team can post with such up-and-down play. The Hokies had a significant lead over the Hurricanes only to watch them storm back into contention in the second half. Despite a sensational performance by Lamar Miller of Miami, David Wilson of Tech helped lift the Hokies to victory after some key runs toward the end of the game. He also set up two touchdown scores for quarterback Logan Thomas. Thomas came of age against Miami in the face of scrutiny by fans and media. He had his best game as a starter, only missing two passes on the night. He threw for three touchdowns. There is concern about the defense not being able to keep teams at bay when Tech plays with a lead. It will be something to watch against Wake Forest.
The offense of the Deacs is prolific. They continued their scoring ways against a usually lauded defense in Florida State. Josh Harris rushed for 136 yards and Tanner Price threw for three touchdowns. Price, who may be the best kept secret in the ACC, found seven different receivers while picking apart the Florida State defense. Meanwhile it was the Wake Forest defense that was stifling the other side. They forced five turnovers that resulted in 17 points. At the end of the day, it was too much for Florida State to overcome. Jim Grobe has this team playing great football and fearless football. He called for an onside kick at the end of the game that the Deacs recovered to ice it. Needless to say, Virginia Tech better watch out. Wake Forest will no longer be under the radar with a strong performance Saturday. Virginia Tech could use another win to keep pace in the Coastal Division.
OTHER GAMES
Clemson versus Maryland
No one would have expected that a quarterback controversy would be the lead story in the game. Not for Clemson – Tajh Boyd, despite being questionable due to an injured hip, has been fantastic for the Tigers. Former ACC Rookie of the Year Danny O’Brien for Maryland was benched due to poor play in the first half against Georgia Tech on Saturday. There is a lot of speculation and uncertainty about who the starter will be this week for the Terps. C.J. Brown came in and displayed his ability to scramble on a 77-yard touchdown run in the 4th quarter. He did not fare any better in the passing game though. Both quarterbacks went a combined 6-24 with two interceptions. Georgia Tech only completed six passes as well, but they are a triple-option running team first and foremost. It is not so uncommon to see that line in an offense like theirs. Eyebrows have been raised at Maryland and it is anybody’s guess who will start against Clemson. With the offensive line injured (Andrew Gonnella went down with a gruesome knee injury), Brown seems like the obvious choice as the fast scrambler. But O’Brien is the proven passer. Which way will Randy Edsall lean?
For Clemson, if they just stick to their game plan, they should be 7-0 after this weekend. The Tigers got off to a quick start against Boston College, jumping out to a 17-0 first quarter lead. This is an offense that can score quickly or sustain drives. Clemson chewed up 500 yards of offense at 6.4 yards per play. The defense can apply pressure to the quarterback with defensive end Andre Branch coming off the edge to gobble up quarterbacks. The defense only allowed Chase Rettig to throw for 132 yards. The run defense is an area the Terrapins can try to exploit. The Tigers gave up 126 yards on the ground. The sheer talent on the Clemson roster should be enough to overtake the home team. The Maryland defense needs to duplicate its second half performance against Georgia Tech. For the game, the defense only held the Yellow Jackets to 21 points, their lowest total of the season. Perhaps another gritty performance is in store for the Terrapins. If only they could solve their quarterback issues.
Miami versus North Carolina
Miami is coming off of a heartbreaker against Virginia Tech, in a game they furiously tried to come back and win. Quarterback Jacory Harris had his best game after coming back from suspension throwing three touchdowns to no interceptions. He and running back Lamar Miller were eating up the Virginia Tech defense. It was the Miami defense that couldn’t keep Virginia Tech’s offense off the field. Tech had two 12-play drives and one 11-play drive that resulted in scores for the Hokies. Ultimately, falling behind by two touchdowns early was too much for Miami to surmount. The Hurricanes should be encouraged by the play of Harris who has been the cause of a lot of frustration and flashes of brilliance while in Coral Gables. He needs to carry the momentum into the game against North Carolina and try and string some wins together for his team. An 0-3 hole within the conference all but shuts out the Hurricanes in the race to a title.
North Carolina is coming off an unimpressive, low-scoring victory. Running back Giovanni Bernard rushed for 109 yards and a touchdown to pace the Tar Heel offense and take pressure off of quarterback Bryn Renner. Renner had a nice day going 12-18 and 178 yards and a touchdown, but he was sacked four times and hassled by the Louisville defense. It could be a concern moving into the game against Miami. Though Miami had a tough time with Virginia Tech, there are plenty of players on that side of the ball that eclipse the talent on Louisville’s side, even with the loss of star linebacker Sean Spence to injury. The Tar Heels only had 62 yards of offense in the first half last weekend. They can’t start out that slow again. Bryn Renner will need to make plays (and smart decisions) against an extremely hungry Miami team. Whoever wins the battle in the trenches wins this game.
QUICK HITTERS
Florida State versus Duke
Despite Florida State’s recent struggles, they should be able to handle a Duke team coming off of a close win against Florida International. Sean Renfree can throw the ball – they are top 20 in the nation in passing yardage. But Florida State has too much talent and speed. Duke’s head coach David Cutcliffe’s best shot at beating the Seminoles will be to out-scheme Jimbo Fisher. A few risks and trick plays might give the Blue Devils a shot. Only a slim one, though.
Georgia Tech versus Virginia
Virginia will be rested coming off a bye week, but this is still a team trying to build something. It is difficult seeing them upending division leading Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets are going to want to get back to the drawing board after an underwhelming performance against a surprising Maryland defense. Virginia will have no answer for the rushing attack. Look for Georgia Tech to put points on the board.
