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Late Hits: Nov. 23
Submitted by jpg on 11/23/2009 - 09:40
ECU: After a 1-2 nonconference start, the Pirates could have folded. After bungling a trip to SMU, and losing on a 96-yard dagger, the Pirates could have checked out.
Instead, after Saturday's 37-21 pasting of UAB, the Pirates control the Conference USA East and are in position to win their second straight conference title. The defense, which played like hot garbage early, has been the biggest reason for the bounce-back. It has allowed 21 points or less in five straight games.
UConn: Hats off to the Huskies, who had lost three games by a combined 10 points since the murder of cornerback Jasper Howard, after their 33-30 double-overtime win at Notre Dame. An emotional Randy Edsall called it the program's "best win." Well put.
Michigan: Even Tom Butters says it's time for Michigan to cut bait with Rich Rod, 3-13 in the Big Ten. With Jim Harbaugh, a former Michigan quarterback, winning at Stanford and Brian Kelly, a former Central Michigan coach, making Cincinnati an annual BCS fixture, the Wolverines can't afford to stick with the unlikeable Rodriguez, who will go down as Michigan's Matt Doherty.
LSU: Les Miles continues to date above his station in life. Even Larry Coker thinks the Mad Hatter mangled the clock at the end of Saturday's 25-23 loss to Ole Miss.
Like Coker, Miles cashed in another coach's recruits for a national title and has no clue how to sustain the success of the program gifted to him.
###
Poor word choice
N.C. State's season has been nothing short of lousy, and senior tackle Jeraill McCuller was understandably frustrated after Saturday's 38-10 loss at Virginia Tech — the Wolfpack's sixth loss in seven games —but McCuller needs a lesson in perspective.
"It turned out to be a tragedy today," McCuller said.
Tragedy? The death of 32 people in a shooting rampage on the same Virginia Tech campus in April 2007, qualifies as a tragedy, losing a football game, no matter how disheartening, does not.
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Ranking the ACC
1. Georgia Tech: Dawgs already in rearview mirror.
2. Clemson: Party like it's 1991.
3. UNC: Davis adds "fix economy" to defense's to-do list.
4. Virginia Tech: UNC thanks you.
5. Miami: Randy Shannon has to settle for progress.
6. BC: Rice-a-roni in Eagles' future.
7. FSU: Last one turn out the lights.
8. Duke: Five-hundred would be a big deal to Devils.
9. Wake Forest: "Pride" bowl only bowl for Deacs.
10. Virginia: A home loss to VT would be fitting end for Lord Groh.
11. N.C. State: "Super" Bowl against UNC, only bowl for Pack.
12. Maryland: Is the return of Jeff Jagodzinski imminent?
About the blogger
J.P. Giglio covers the ACC for the News & Observer, where he has worked since 1997. Want to post a comment?
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Comments
Why...
Tue, 11/24/2009 - 15:19 — Heels20...aren't more people commenting on this game for Saturday? A lot more Wolfpackers had something to say this summer.
don't worry
Tue, 11/24/2009 - 21:28 — gvillegatrif they win on saturday, they'll be here. too bad they won't. Hoenstly, I think it may get ugly for the pups. Think Maryland home game 2 or 3 yrs ago to end the season.
Really?
Wed, 11/25/2009 - 13:46 — willncsuYou are going to predict a big win after the thrashings given out to you the last two years?
I don't know if I predict a big win...
Wed, 11/25/2009 - 15:36 — Heels20...but this NC State team is very different from the teams of the past two years. Last year, the LBs were led by Nate Irving and the secondary was healthy. Two years ago, Dajuan Morgan and DeMario Pressley were still around. It's pretty much just Willie Young now.
Also, I think it is pretty obvious that the State coaching staff made a horrible mistake this year in handling Wilson. Let's be honest, this is most likely his last year of college football. Why sacrifice a year developing him into a pocket passer when he won't be around long enough to really mature and excel as that type of QB? Don't get me wrong, he is a great football player. However, this is not his type of system, especially with that sorry offensive line.
The best analysis I've heard so far is that State's only chance is to play extremely conservative on the offensive side and hope that Carolina makes mistakes. If State can somehow run the ball, not turn it over and manage the clock to a certain extent, then it will be a close game. If they do this and Carolina's offense makes the same dumb mistakes it has made at other times this year, then State could even win. Unfortunately for the Pack, this is the best that Carolina has been the past 3 years and the worst State has been. We won't be coming in overconfident because we saw where that got us last year. I think the Heels win this by 10+.
why not?
Wed, 11/25/2009 - 14:00 — gvillegatrstate was ACTUALLY playing well going into the last two games against UNC. they ARE NOT playing well right now. UNC will win by 2 TD's.
Can't see
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 13:37 — YAR8packI can't see any jab at unc. Hmm. Perhaps if some shortsighted person were looking for one, yeah.
A real jab is going after McCuller for the use of a noun. Maybe you're not down with frustrated lingo, JP. No one's forgot about what happened at VT or any other continual pillow for PC people to take whatever he or she wants out of the word choice to construe a slight at something completely opposite from but localized to. We all know the Pack is wack this year. They ARE a tragedy out there. Here's to hoping unc's defense doesn't score two touchdowns for the third consecutive week this weekend. However, Mike Archer's weak zone will probably allow Yates to throw for 6,000 yards and 47 tds.
Are you serious?
Tue, 11/24/2009 - 10:29 — heelsno1You need to examine Yates' ratio of TDs to interceptions. At best, he has been inconsistent and unreliable this season. Your QB needs to be a solid decision-maker, and Yates does not qualify in this area.
I think that State will compete well this weekend to try to redeem their disappointing season, and the Wolfpack will play with passion to try to win for their ailing Offensive Coordinator.
The depth of Wolfpack depression.
Tue, 11/24/2009 - 12:35 — JPDOhioThat's what I see there. How else can you account for anyone predicting a positive performance by Yates? Of course, the Pack has made many QB's look good this year and I have to admit chuckling at the TD and yards passing projections.
I too think that State will compete well this weekend. On offense, they will dedicate their performance to Coach Bible and will at least be able to prepare for his absence this week. The key is for RW not to try to force what is not there. If he does, UNC's D will make him pay.
I think the UNC's offense and State's defense will cancel each other out. The outcome of this game will be decided by State's offense and UNC's defense. Whichever of those two units overcomes the other will decide the game, which I expect to be close.
not so fast my friend!
Tue, 11/24/2009 - 13:47 — gvillegatr... you always think state is going to comepete every week. ;)
what I don't like is the Bible situation. I wish him nothing but the best and hope he can return to a noraml life for as long as possible. But this can be one of those situations where a team, as bad as state is, rises up for one great game even though, it is obvious who the better team is.
With all the uncertainty in this world....
Tue, 11/24/2009 - 16:08 — JPDOhioIsn't it nice to know that there are certain things (and people) you can count on to be consistent and predictable?
indeed
Tue, 11/24/2009 - 21:50 — gvillegatrvery true.
Agree
Tue, 11/24/2009 - 13:03 — SurferHowever, on occasion, Yates and the offense have been productive (first drive last week). Similarly, so has State's defense (4 down stop against Pitt). The turnovers allowed BC the 13 points last week. So I do expect that turnovers along with special teams and penalties will play a key role. State will be highly motivated (Coach Bible, best wishes to him and his family). UNC, not so much, unless there are lots of 41-10 signs in the stadium.
It may in fact come down to who scores the most, State's offense or UNC's defense.
Not PC
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 15:34 — jpg (author)it's called perspective.
It's in poor taste to call a football result a "tragedy."
— JPG
if only SAT scores/GPA's were public knowledge ...
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 21:24 — gvillegatryou'd see that it was probably NOT in poor taste that Williams used the word "tragedy" when summing up ncsu football lasy saturday at VPI.
I'm sure he did not know better.
Agree and disagree
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 13:53 — JPDOhioI don't think UNC's defense will score two touchdowns. I think the guys on State's offense can tackle better than the guys on defense.
You may be right about Yates, although your estimates for yards and TD's might be on the low side.
JPG
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 12:47 — SurferNice little jab at UNC with the VT comment. Too funny, you just can't help yourself can you?
What?
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 13:26 — jpg (author)How's that a jab at UNC?
That's a jab at VT.
— JPG
The gift
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 13:57 — SurferThe way I saw it, I was referring to the fumble by VT that so many have referred to as a "gift" for UNC, thus allowing their win.
It was a while ago..
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 16:51 — UNC1998but I don't think VT "allowed" UNC to win by fumbling the ball. UNC snatched victory with nothing but heart and determination. :)
UNC won the game
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 15:32 — jpg (author)without it, their season was toast.
VT played poorly in that game, that was the gift, not Powell's excellent play on Ryan Williams.
Either way, still not a shot at UNC.
— JPG
Good
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 16:47 — SurferOkay, like I said earlier then.