ACC Narrowly Misses
Big Wins
by Chris Coleman, TechSideline.com,
TSLMail #451 September 24, 2010
The ACC has taken a beating in non-conference matchups with teams from
BCS leagues this season. The conference is 2-9 against such teams, and
2-10 if you count Virginia Tech's loss to Boise State, who will likely
play in a BCS Game.
Here's
a quick rundown of each game.
ACC
vs. the BCS (And Boise) |
Game |
Result |
LSU vs. UNC |
L, 30-24 |
Boise State vs. VT |
L, 33-30 |
Kansas vs. GT |
L, 28-25 |
Oklahoma vs. FSU |
L, 47-14 |
Ohio State vs. Miami |
L, 36-24 |
USC vs. UVA |
L, 17-14 |
Cincinnati vs. NC State |
W, 30-19 |
WVU vs. Maryland |
L, 31-17 |
Alabama vs. Duke |
L, 62-13 |
Auburn vs. Clemson |
L, 27-24 |
Stanford vs. Wake |
L, 68-24 |
Pitt vs. Miami |
W, 31-3 |
A few of those games were blowouts: Oklahoma vs. FSU, Wake Forest vs.
Stanford and Alabama vs. Duke. However, with the exception of Oklahoma vs.
FSU, they were expected to be routs. Many of the other games have been
very close, with ACC teams seemingly finding a different way to lose each
week.
It goes all the way back to the first week of the season. Despite being
down to basically their second string defense and third string running
back against LSU, North Carolina outgained the Tigers 436 to 313.
Quarterback T.J. Yates threw for over 400 yards. However, the game ended
at the LSU six yard line when Yates' fourth down pass fell incomplete in
the end zone. With a chance to win, the Tar Heels didn't get it done.
Two days later, Virginia Tech took on Boise State in Washington, DC in
one of the biggest games of the season. The Hokies spotted the Broncos 17
points in the first quarter, rallied to take the lead, and then spent the
final few minutes of the game handing it back to them. Tech had every
chance to win the game, but they failed.
While the conference was losing high profile games, another ACC team
was busy getting upset by one of the worst BCS conference teams in the
country. Georgia Tech traveled west to face a Kansas team who lost 6-3 to
1-AA North Dakota State in week one. The Jayhawks upset the Yellow Jackets
28-25, with GT holding the ball in Kansas territory late in the game and
failing to score.
Another high profile matchup for the ACC was Miami visiting Ohio State.
This was a showcase game for the Canes and Jacory Harris. The Canes played
well, but Jacory Harris didn't. Despite the Miami defense holding Terrelle
Pryor to less than 50% through the air, Harris threw four interceptions to
hand Ohio State the game. Thanks to the turnovers, Ohio State had a 19
yard touchdown drive and a 14 yard touchdown drive, as well as several
other short drives that led to field goals. Ohio State won the game 36-24,
but it was a very even game, except for the interceptions by Harris.
Perhaps the most disappointing loss for the ACC was Clemson's loss at
Auburn. The Tigers went on the road last Saturday night and jumped out to
a 17-0 lead just before halftime. They promptly blew the lead in the
second half, and found themselves trailing 24-17. Clemson tied the game to
force overtime, where they missed a game-winning touchdown pass and then
the game-tying field goal. They had every opportunity to come away with a
big road win, but they found a way to lose.
The ACC has had plenty of opportunities this season, but except for a
couple of Thursday night home games against overmatched Big East teams,
they have failed every single time. They've had plenty of opportunities to
win, but so far they haven't been a clutch conference.
Will that ever change? The ACC is still a much improved conference this
year. They just have failed miserably in big situations. College football
is cyclical, so hopefully things will begin to turn around next season.
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Friday
Q&A: September 24, 2010
September 24, 2010
Special
teams, slow starts and the strength and conditioning program are all
major topics in today's Friday Q&A. We'll also talk about the
injury bug, and how it has impacted the team's performance thus far.
more
|
Williams
Out for Boston College
September 24, 2010
Virginia
Tech tailback Ryan Williams will miss Saturday's Boston College game
due to a hamstring injury suffered in last weekend's 49-27 win
against East Carolina.
more
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Commitment
Spotlight: LB/S Michael Cole
September 23, 2010
Cave
Spring (Roanoke, VA) star Michael Cole made the short trip to
Blacksburg each of the past two Saturdays and plans to return for
more games throughout Virginia Tech's 2010 season. The 6-2,
200-pound senior, one of 11 2011 commitments for the Hokies, has
some thoughts on the possible positions he could play for head coach
Frank Beamer.
more
|
5-Star
LB Visits Virginia Tech
September 22, 2010
Anson
(Wadesboro, N.C.) linebacker Stephone Anthony, one of the top
2011 class prospects in the nation, was in Blacksburg last Saturday
on an unofficial visit. Virginia Tech, which defeated ECU that day,
impressed the 6-3, 220-pound standout, who answers whether or not
the University of Florida remains the favorite for his signature.
more
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2010
Football Game Preview: Virginia Tech at Boston College
September 22, 2010
Virginia
Tech will open their ACC schedule on Saturday against familiar foes:
Boston College and Frank Spaziani. 1-3 with an 0-1 mark in the ACC
would be a very bad start for the Hokies. Unfortunately, they'll be
facing a team that has given them a lot of trouble in recent years
on the road.
more
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ECU
Game Analysis: Hokies Get Physical and Make Big Plays
September 22, 2010
This
was one of those games that reminded us all that one of the keys to
Tech football is big plays. It is part of the culture and has been
for many years. The offense looks for big play opportunities - all
of those deep passes down the field aren't for show. Remember the
big pass plays in the CFA Bowl against Tennessee? The defense looks
to make big plays as well - the attacking style that Bud Foster has
evolved over the years is based in big play principles. And of
course big plays on special teams has been a cornerstone of the
program under Frank Beamer.
more
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2012
Profile: LB/RB Trey Edmunds
September 21, 2010
In
6-2, 200-pound linebacker/running back Trey Edmunds, Dan
River (VA) possesses a versatile, athletic player who performs at a
high level on offense, defense and special teams. Edmunds' ability
has drawn attention from top local FBS programs including Maryland,
Virginia and Virginia Tech.
more
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Tech
Talk Live Notes for 9/20/10
September 21, 2010
Monday
night's show featured Athletic Director Jim Weaver, defensive
coordinator Bud Foster, linebacker Bruce Taylor, tailback David
Wilson, and head coach Frank Beamer. The ECU game was reviewed, and
everyone looked ahead to Boston College.
more
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Ryan
Williams' Status Uncertain for BC Game
September 21, 2010
Per
multiple media sources, Virginia Tech running backs coach Billy Hite
said yesterday that the status of injured running back Ryan Williams
will be updated on Thursday, when the Hokies release their injury
report for this Saturday's game at Boston College. Williams injured
the hamstring in the second quarter of last Saturday's game against
East Carolina.
more
|
4-Star
LB Hughes Shakes Up List
September 20, 2010
Kempsville
(Virginia Beach, VA) linebacker/running back Travis Hughes
had a top five, in order, of UNC, Clemson, Maryland, Virginia Tech
and LSU, but there has been a shake-up at the top. The 6-1,
215-pound senior, fresh off of official visits to Maryland and Tech,
updates the latest.
more
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ECU
Monday Thoughts: Hokies Get Back on Track
September 20, 2010
As
I noted in my pre-game comments, the Hokies hadn't lost three in a
row since 2003, so had they dropped this one, it would have been
ominous and unpleasant, to say the least. Thankfully, the guys got
the ship turned in the right direction, as we saw the return of two
Virginia Tech traditional staples: the game-changing big play and
the avalanche of points.
more
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Carmichael
Named ACC Defensive Back of the Week
September 20, 2010
Virginia
Tech senior cornerback Rashad Carmichael was named ACC Defensive
Back of the Week for his performance against East Carolina on
Saturday.
more
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