Late Hits: Nov. 25

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N.C. State: ECU. Check.
Duke. Check.
Wake. Check.
Carolina. Check.

Christmas and New Year's came early for the Wolfpackers. Now State has to beat a team from outside of the state to get to a bowl game. Handle the UNC hangover and beat Miami and Tom O'Brien might have to root against his alma mater for the first time ever if State joins Navy in the Congressional Bowl.

Florida State: The new Florida State, like the new Facebook, is not as popular as the original, but once a season the old Noles make a special guest appearance.

Maryland felt the wrath of 1997 from the new Noles during a 37-3 "blackout" in College Park. Who knows, maybe the vintage Noles can bring it back one more time, Thad Busby style, for Florida's visit on Saturday.

UNC: Where's John Bunting when you need him?

For all of Butch Davis' progress, he's 0-2 against the Wolfpack and even more unforgivable, he broke the twin tenants of coaching on Saturday — be prepared and don't let one loss, the previous week at Maryland, turn into two.

The Tar Heels were inexplicably flat and unmotivated for a meaningful game with their biggest football rival.

Rose Bowl: Normally, the Grandaddy would be salivating at a possible Penn State-USC matchup but there's a beaver in the ointment. Oregon State's the Pac-10 leader and is a home win over Oregon away from its first Rose Bowl since 1965.

Of course, Penn State already beat Oregon State 45-14 this season, which means there will be a lot of Oregon fans in the Rose Bowl offices this
week.

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Ranking the ACC

1. Georgia Tech (5-3) 
2. Boston College (4-3)
3. Florida State (5-3)   
4. Miami (4-3)   
5. Virginia Tech (4-3)  
6. Maryland (4-3)
7. N.C. State (3-4) 
8. UNC (3-4)
9. Wake Forest (4-4)
10. Clemson (4-4)
11. Virginia (3-4)
12. Duke (1-6)

As long as Georgia Tech has the lead, the Jackets are the best team in the ACC. If they get behind, forget it. And as long as Boston College's defense can outscore its offense, the Eagles will win their second straight Atlantic Division title.

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Coachspeak-to-English translation

"We're the best football program in the state. Without question."

—
N.C. State coach Tom O'Brien who became the first Wolfpack coach to win
his first two games against UNC with Saturday's 41-10 rout.

Translation: I got your numbah! How you like them apples?