NoleKing
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The Week that was in the ACC
Game of the Week: Miami over VT 38-34
This game had everything; 4 lead changes; multiple 50+ yard field goals, interceptions; fake field goals squashed, MTV’s Dan Cortese, 4th quarter comebacks, and a crazy hail mary that was overturned on replay after it was reviewed nobody truly had possession of it. The Canes showed some grit that hasn’t been seen in a while with the comeback win. The Hokies raised their game up as well but some questionable clock management and coaching choices by Coach Pry will have them asking “what if” for a while.
Statement of the Week: SMU over FSU 42-16
The Pony’s got their first ever ACC win in a dominating second half over FSU. But what made it extra sweet was that FSU named the Mustangs in their lawsuit as proof that the ACC was committing malfeasance against the rest of the league. So the Stangs got some small personal vindication while also saying that they are more than capable of competing in this league.
Rest of the Results
-Louisville struggled to hold on to the ball and some untimely special teams lapses ultimately doomed them in South Bend…Clemson only scored 40 points this time around in their win over Stanford who made their first trip to Death Valley…BC survived their game without Thomas Catellanos with a 4th quarter comeback against Western Kentucky…NC State used their dominant DLine to set up short fields in their grind out win against NIU…Syracuse rode a big 28 point first half in a breezy win over regional rival Holy Cross…Wake Forestjust couldn’t get the stops they needed as they lose the walk off shootout to Louisiana…Duke rallied from a 20-0 halftime deficit to knock off rival UNC and remain unbeaten.
Players of The Week:
Offense: Cam Ward, QB, Miami
Cam continues his early Heisman campaign this time with a clutch second half. With his team down throughout most the game, Ward led touchdown drives on the Canes final 3 possessions and had a true houdini shovel pass to avoid what woulda been a key sack. He finished the day throwing for 342 yards and four touchdowns while also adding 57 yards on the ground and cashing in a score himself. Previous Miami teams woulda folded with how they were playing, especially on D, but with Cam there’s something different about them this year it seems.
Defense: DK Kauffman, Safety, NC State
The Wolfpack D was largely responsible for the win against the Huskies of NIU. And Kauffman may have had the biggest play of the day, a strip sack that he recovered and scored on. He also added four tackles and a PBU to help lead the salty D.
Special Team: John Love, K, Virginia Tech
Not only did Dr. Love go four for four on PAT’s. And a 52 yarder in the second half. He kicked a career long 57 yarder in the first half that really set the tone for his day.
Power Rankings
1)Miami (5-0, 1-0, even): Canes had a real scare from VPI but Cam Ward's houdini magic in the 4th Q helped save the day; They'll travel west for their first Cal meeting since the 80’s dynasty days
2)Clemson (3-1, 2-0, ): The Tigers offense had a little bit of a lull at times but still breezed through the Cardinal. Revenge game for the Tigers this Saturday in Tally
3)Pitt (4-0, 0-0, +1): The Panthers got a nicely timed bye to prep for their conference season and a shot as good as anybody to get to Charlotte
4)Louisville (3-1, 1-0, -1):The Cards had a box score nightmare loss. Had the edge in yards and TOP and even got a couple of turnovers. But bad turnovers on their end and some special teams gaffes cost them in South Bend. Still control their destiny in the league though and that’s what they have to remember.
5)Duke (5-0, 1-0, +1): The Devils' second half comeback took the Victory Bell from Carolina. Another test against GT Saturday Night and a chance for them to keep pace in the pack.
6)Virginia (3-1, 1-0, +1): The Hoos off the Bye feeling optimistic about their season so far; big chance to separate against BC this weekend
7)BC (4-1, 1-0 -2): The Eagles needed the largest 4th quarter comeback in 70 years (13 points LOL) to pull it out against WKU without Casty. He should be back against UVA and they’ll definitely need him.
8)SMU (4-1, 1-0, +1): Pony notched their first ever ACC win Saturday night in front of a lively crowd; now they look to notch their first road ACC win as well against one of the league's better teams in Louisville.
9)Syracuse (3-1, 1-1, +1) :The Orange got back into winning form against "regional rival" Holy Cross; Friday night they head to Sin City against UNLV who will be looking to feather the cap
10)Stanford (2-2, 1-1, -2): For back end of b2b road trips, the Cardinal actually had some nice moments of competitivity before fully succumbing to exhaustion (and bad QB play); they get a reprieve with the Hokies coming west to the farm this week
11)Virginia Tech (2-3, 0-1, +1): How much is in the emotional tank for the Hokies? The win against Miami was there up until the end. No time to let it beat them twice if your Coach Pry
12)Georgia Tech (3-2, 1-2, -1): The Jackets are gonna tape up the fists, tie the shoelaces in double knots, pack the gauze in the mouth and get ready for another scrap against Duke cause that’s what they do.
13)NC State (3-2, 0-1, even): The Pack's defense carried the day against NIU. This offense has to find something soon or it's gonna be another "meh" NC State season.
14)Cal (3-1, 0-1, even):The Bears host their first ever ACC game Saturday against the top team in the league Miami. Eager to see this defense up against a Heisman candidate.
15)UNC (3-2, 0-1, even): Mack's checked out; only about six more weeks till Hoops
T-17)FSU (1-4, 1-3, -1): It appears the DJU experiment/era has come to an end with a prolonged hand injury; it's now BROCKtober
T-17)Wake (1-3, 0-1, even): The Deacs dropped a heartbreaking shootout to UL; a team a few years ago they would’ve just ran down
The Week 3 Menu
Game of The Week: SMU @ Louisville, Sat 10/5, 12pm, ESPN, Lou -7, 65.5tot
The Mustangs make their road ACC debut against the Cards Saturday afternoon. Both teams come in 1-0 and as we discussed, one loss can set a team back in this 17 team round robin. Can the Stangs and their momentum with Kevin Jennings continue? Can the Cards bounce back from the tough loss against Notre Dame? Could be a good one. Prediction: Louisville 30-23
The Big 3
1)Miami @ California, Sat 10/5, 10:30pm, ESPN, Miami -10 54.5tot
The first true edition of ACC After Dark kicks off Saturday Night with the league’s top team going to the land of the tree squatters. Does Cam Ward get the old school PAC treatment and put on a monster show that nobody sees? Does the CAL D stand up and pull off a stunner, that again, no one sees? I lean the former. Prediction: Miami 30-17
2)Boston College @ Virginia, Sat 10/5 12pm, ACCN, UVA -1 53.5tot
Consider this a “pecking order” game. Both teams are still in control of their destiny in the league but are more likely thinking about bowl positioning as we approach the second month of the season. Prediction: Virginia 27-24
3)Pittsburgh @ UNC, Saturday 10/5, 12pm, ESPN 2, Pitt -3 63.5tot
The Panthers begin their conference season after an impressive non-con run (granted not exactly a murders row of opponents) of blowouts and a comeback in the brawl. UNC has a major quit factor in them after back-to-back embarrassing losses, so it’ll be interesting to see if this is their last stand. Prediction: Pitt 38-20
The Best Of The Rest
Syracuse @ UNLV, Fri 10/3, 9pm, FS1, UNLV -7 58.5tot
Prediction: UNLV 34-24
Wake Forest @ NC State, Sat 10/4, 12pm, CW, NCSU -4.5 54.5tot
Prediction: NC State 31-13
Virginia Tech @ Stanford, Sat 10/4, 3:30pm, ACCN, VT -8 49.5tot
Prediction: VT 34-30
Duke @ GT, Sat 10/4, 8pm, ACCN, GT -9 54.5tot
Prediction: Duke 24-21
Clemson @ FSU, Sat 10/4, 7pm, ESPN, Clem -14.5 47.5tot
Prediction: See Preview Thread Friday
It’s Week 6. The first Saturday in October. Suprise September teams start to get tested more; disappointing September teams try to make a last stand; It's Pumpkin Season!
