Late Hits: Oct. 6

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Boston College: Quarterback Chris Crane threw for 461 total yards in the first four games of the season before uncorking 428 in a wild 38-31 win over N.C. State, to go with five total touchdowns.

Crane's still not Matt Ryan, but the Eagles are 4-1. Maybe Chrissy Nice can pull a Matty Ice and lead the Eagles to a ninth straight bowl win. The final seven games will be tough but not if Crane plays like he did Saturday.

Missouri: The Tigers picked up their first win at Nebraska since 1978 in style with a 52-17 beatdown of the Cornhuskers.

Now the question for Mizzou is: Are the Tigers paprika good, or Hungarian paprika good? (Note: Late Hits has no idea what qualifies Hungarian paprika as the world's finest, but this is a universally accepted fact.)

Maryland: Seriously, Maryland, make up your mind. Stop beating good teams (Cal, Clemson) and losing to bad ones (Middle Tennessee and Virginia).

Seven days after getting the prestigious Late Hits up arrow, the Terps allow Virginia, which scored three offensive touchdowns in its first four games, to break out for four.

The only good news after the 31-0 loss to UVa is a good team, Wake Forest, is next on the schedule.

Wisconsin: Not only did the Badgers yack away a 20-17 home game to Ohio State, but the band wasn't even there for the famous "Fifth Quarter."

The band was suspended after allegations of hazing, alcohol abuse and sexual misconduct on the previous week's road trip to Michigan, bringing new meaning to "On Wisconsin."

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GOOD SHOW IN FLORIDA

When Miami and Florida State were ranked, and mattered in general, the ACC scheduled
the rivalry in primetime on Labor Day. Those season openers inevitably turned into each team trading field goals, and missed field goals in Florida State's case, and viewers souring on the overall ACC product.

Fast forward to Saturday, when the Noles and Canes cranked out 80 points. There were big plays, trick plays, one truly bad play (hello, Christian Ponder) and there was nary a wide right, or left.

Slight problem for the ACC, and future contract negotiations: It was a regional telecast, during the day — and roughly 36 people outside of Florida still care about either program — so a rerun of "The View" had a bigger audience, but it was a good show.

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RANKING THE ACC

Top 3

1. Virginia Tech: No. 1 until proven otherwise.
2. Wake Forest: A little shine off that Clemp-son game but not meaning.
3. UNC: Four wins ... Give Butch a raise!

Bottom 3

10. Duke: What a difference a week makes.
11. Virginia: Karma repays Joe Sweatshirt for lifting sign ban.
12. N.C. State: Defense, anyone?