Boston College: The Eagles' 14-10 over Virginia was their first on the road and seventh of the season, which is about three more wins than any without the last name "Flutie" would have sanely predicted before the season began.
Short of Clemson pulling a Clemson, the Eagles won't win their third straight Atlantic Division title, but a 6-2 finish, or even 5-3, should make first-year coach Frank Spaziani the ACC's coach of the year.
Stanford: While Notre Dame's next coaching search will certainly begin with the pursuit of the Holy Urban Grail, it might just end with the Cardinal's Jim Harbaugh.
After Saturday's romp of Southern California, Stanford's 7-3, ranked No. 14 in the country and Harbaugh owns two wins over the Trojans. That's two more than Charlie Weiss and Tyrone Willingham combined.
Miami: The new U looked like the old U after a 5-1 start, but after two losses in three games, the new U really is the new U.
The spirit of Patrick Nix must have possessed new offensive coordinator Mark Whipple in Saturday's 33-23 loss to UNC because the Canes' offense looked like it was run by a ghost.
Running up the score: The BCS computers have a firewall against lopsided wins but that didn't stop "little" guys TCU or Boise State from running it up like Tom Osborne. The Horned Frogs battered Utah, 55-28, and Boise State potatoed Idaho, 63-25.
Careful, boys, as the Utes learned Saturday, what goes around comes around.
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More official problems
It was nice of Big East officials to get the Twitterati off the SEC's back for one week.
Down 14-7 in the second quarter, Cincinnati's Isaiah Pead fumbled the ball at the goal line, or least that was how it was ruled on the field. The Big East replay judge over-turned the call and gave the Bearcats a touchdown. Cincinnati went on to win 24-21 and keep their national title hopes, albeit slim ones, alive.
Citi is the title sponsor of this year's national title game. Given the greased path taken by the SEC heavyweights, and now upstart Cincinnati, it would make sense for Liquid-Plumr to step in.
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Ranking the ACC
1. Georgia Tech: Easy GT fans, Chan the Man won the Coastal, too.
2. Clemson: Thank Tommy the B. for Spiller, at least.
3. UNC: Who needs offense?
4. Virginia Tech: Maybe these guys.
5. Miami: What if... what if.
6. Boston College: Full of surprises.
7. Florida State: The bowl streak lives.
8. Duke: Perilously close to the old Duke.
9. Wake Forest: Better than another close call?
10. Virginia: How did they beat UNC?
11. N.C. State: Who needs defense?
12. Maryland: Frige, drops "D" in symbolic gesture.
Comments
Coach-of-the-Year Honor
Wed, 11/18/2009 - 11:10 — heelsno1If Clemson beats GT in the ACC Championship game, then Dabo is the man.
If GT wins, this award certainly must go to Paul Johnson.
Either way, the BC coach is beyond a long-shot.
didn't write would
Wed, 11/18/2009 - 18:20 — joegiglio (author)wrote should.
BC lost its best player (Herzlich) and quarterback before the season started — not to mention two NFL defensive linemen — and still could go 6-2. Even at 5-3, Spaz gets my vote.
— JPG
Agree
Wed, 11/18/2009 - 13:26 — SurferAlso, not that I am advocating, but just thinking... What about Coach Cut, if they were to win out. I mean they really haven't beaten anybody, but if they were to win against Miami and WF and be bowl eligible, it would be just short of a miracle. In reality, I don't think it is going to happen though.
On another note, I guess we can just say goodbye to all (most) of the State fans on ACC Now until next summer? Unless of course, State beats UNC, then we will get the score embelished for the next 12 months.... and also used to compare as a point total loss against the basketball scores. Nice. Kinda miss those guys, sorta boring without any heated discussion. Aloha.
Aloha, Surfer
Wed, 11/18/2009 - 17:55 — JPDOhioI'll be around all winter. Got nothing better to do in the cold, so I'll be watching the Pack and commenting on how the foundation of an ACC Championship team is unfolding before my eyes.
The heat will be welcome.
Could be
Thu, 11/19/2009 - 13:13 — SurferGreat JPD,
Glad to see the optimism. Most of my State friends are just moping around in a stupor. I actually think that the Pack will surprise a few people in round ball this winter. Of course the big football news will be RW's status for next fall. That will keep a few people tuned in as well.
I looked at BC's schedule..
Tue, 11/17/2009 - 11:50 — UNC1998to try and learn more about the team. At first blush it look's like their only impressive win is vs. FSU. They lost horribly to VT, and needed OT to beat a 4-7 WF team. Their only road win is vs. UVa. Statiscally, though, they rank pretty well in the ACC. It should be a good game.