Some school down the road is still stuck in the basement
1. Clemson (last week: 48-31 W vs Virginia)
The Tigers let the Wahoos hang around for a bit longer than expected in this one – even trailing by a TD for almost half the 2nd quarter. A 35-0 run from midway through the 2nd quarter until the end of the 3rd quarter put any thoughts of an upset to bed. Cade Klubnik threw for 3 scores, Phil Mafah ran for 2 more scores, the offensive line didn’t allow a sack, and the defense smothered Virginia in the middle portion of the game to allow the Clemson offense to take over. This is still the best team in the league, and one heading for a week off to rest up before the finishing kick.
2. SMU (last week: 40-10 W @ Stanford)
This was an absolute drubbing by the Mustangs, outgaining Stanford 501 yards to 206 despite turning the ball over thrice. Those turnovers – as well as the penalties (10 for 100 yards) – need to be cleaned up if SMU has grant plans on playing for a conference title. Their next opponent, Duke, basically lives by other teams mistakes.
3. Miami (last week: 52-45 W @ Louisville)
The Hurricanes won another one-possession game (their third straight), and they didn’t even need the ACC’s help this time! This was probably the most entertaining game of the weekend involving ACC teams. Miami took the lead with 5:05 to go in the first quarter and never trailed again, but they could never quite put away the Cardinals. Excellent effort – as expected – from the offense, but the defense has given up 34+ points in each of the last three games. That’ll change quickly with the next two games being against FSU and Duke.
4. Pittsburgh (last week: Bye)
The Panthers will host Syracuse on Thursday night. With both teams coming off a bye, this is the best kind of Thursday night scheduling.
5. Louisville (last week: 45-52 L vs Miami)
Credit the Cardinals for not giving up and going pretty much blow-for-blow with a high-powered Miami offense. Twice in the second half Louisville rallied to tie the game, and even cut it back to one score late, but the onside kick with less than a minute to play wasn’t to be. Each of Louisville’s three losses have been by 7 points. Unfortunately for the Cards, they still have Clemson, Pitt, and Kentucky left. Before that, however, it’s a road trip to Boston College.
6. Syracuse (last week: Bye)
See the Pitt blurb above. Should be a good game.
7. Virginia Tech (last week: 42-21 W vs Boston College)
For a moment it looked like VT was about to suffer an embarrassing 2nd half meltdown, going from up 28-0 at the half to leading by a single score heading into the 4th quarter, but the Hokies pulled away late and got the win. Bhayshul Tuten ran for 266 yards and 3 scores on just 18 carries, while adding another score on his lone reception (20 yards). Have yourself a game, dude! The Hokies host GT this weekend, looking to stay in contention for the ACC championship game.
8. Duke (last week: 23-16 W vs Florida State)
Duke finally broke through with the program’s first ever win against FSU, moving to 1-22 in the series. The Blue Devils did this despite gaining just 187 yards of offense. Winning the turnover battle 4-0 was huge. Duke’s offensive scoring drives (their first score was a pick-six) covered 36 yards (TD), 1 yard (FG), 48 yards (FG), and 53 yards (FG). FSU turned it over once in Duke territory and also had a field goal blocked. Credit to Manny Diaz for having the Blue Devils bowl eligible after just 7 games, but… man, does this just feel like a team that’s been more lucky than good. Reality hits this week with SMU coming to Durham, followed by a trip to Miami.
9. Georgia Tech (last week: 13-31 L vs Notre Dame)
The Yellow Jackets book-ended the scoring in this one, something that usually goes well if you also happen to score somewhere else in the middle. GT did not, and the result was a beatdown at the hands of the Irish. In GT’s defense, they were without starting QB Haynes King, and that’s a huge blow for them. Zach Pyron has been around for three years, but there’s a huge drop off from King to him. Notre Dame was able to play the run and that worked in bottling up Jamal Haynes (8 carries, 15 yards). Next up is a tilt at Virginia Tech before a bye week. It’ll be interesting to see if King suits up this weekend or they opt for extra rest.
10. Virginia (last week: 31-48 L @ Clemson)
No shame in getting blown out in Clemson (we should knows around these parts). The Cavaliers put together a nice field goal drive early then took advantage of an interception to take a 10-3 lead early, but it wouldn’t last. Virginia put up 346 yards of offense, but 215 of those came on three of their last four drives when the game was already over. The big issue here is that there may be a QB controversy as Tony Muskett came in late and led UVA to TDs on both his drives. The Cavs host UNC this weekend.
11. Boston College (last week: 21-42 L @ Virginia Tech)
Thomas Castellanos played, but it didn’t seem to make much difference in the opening half. BC was behind 29-0 at the break, and then rallied with a 21-0 3rd quarter to make it a one score game. VT put the clamps on in the 4th, though, and BC turned the ball over twice on downs and another time on a fumble in the closing stanza. This is a better-than-expected Eagles team in Year 1 under Bill O’Brien, but getting to bowl eligibility is going to be hard with Louisville, Syracuse, SMU, and Pitt all still to go.
12. Wake Forest (last week: 23-20 W @ UConn)
A controversial late non-call should-have-been pass interference on UConn’s last drive helped Wake escape the road game with a win. This week at Stanford is a must-win if the Deacs have any hopes for bowl eligibility.
13. NC State (last week: 24-23 W @ California)
State needed that one, and they needed it bad. It took a missed late chip-shot field goal to make it happen, but we don’t make a habit of looking gift horses in the mouth around these parts. C.J. Bailey has put together back-to-back excellent performances, giving some positive vibes and hope to the Pack heading into the bye week. Hollywood Smothers needs more touches, Justin Joly needs more targets. Also Davin Vann is a beast! State hosts Stanford in two weeks.
14. California (last week: 23-24 L vs NC State)
You know, I kinda feel bad for Cal. Four losses – all in a row, no less – by a total of 9 points is just brutal. That’s no way to live life. They’ll look to break that losing streak at home this week against Pac-12 member Oregon State. Gotta be pulling for them here.
15. Florida State (last week: 16-23 L @ Duke)
Nine penalties and 4 turnovers will put you in the loss column real quick. Unless FSU can reel off 5 straight wins, the Seminoles will be home for the holidays. The first of those wins will need to come at rival Miami.
16. Stanford (last week: 10-40 L vs SMU)
That’s four straight losses for the giant tree, with all coming in noncompetitive efforts. Wake comes to town this weekend, but the Stanford that beat Syracuse earlier this year and pushed TCU to the brink doesn’t exist anymore. Give credit to Wake for pulling it out, but they almost collapsed late despite a 10-point lead late in the game.
17. North Carolina (last week: Bye)
You don’t win by not playing. The Tar Heels will try and break their 4-game losing streak in Charlottesville at noon on Saturday.