How do you go +6 in turnover margin and lose?
1. Clemson (last week: Bye)
After a week off, the Tigers host Louisville this week before road trips to VT and Pitt round out their ACC schedule.
2. Miami (last week: 36-14 W vs Florida State)
Playing a rival that lacks a functioning offense, this one was over when Miami went ahead 14-0 early in the 2nd quarter on a 13-play, 95-yard drive. The Canes scored on 7-of-8 drives (not counting the final kneel down), but could have really blown this thing out early had they not settled for three straight field goals in the middle part of the game. Cam Ward went without a TD for the first time this year, but remains a really good football player (shocker). Damien Martinez went for 148 yards and 2 TDs on just 15 carries. Miami hosts Duke this week.
3. Pittsburgh (last week: 41-13 W vs Syracuse)
The Panthers put together an incredibly impressive win, jumping out to a 31-0 halftime lead on the back of a trio of pick-6’s. That’s kind of hilarious. One could point to Pitt only having 217 yards of offense in the game, but when you score three defensive touchdowns, your offensive opportunities are going to be limited (they still 4.93 yards/play). Pitt remains undefeated in both conference play and overall. A huge road date awaits this week with…
4. SMU (last week: 28-27 W @ Duke)
Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good. The Mustangs were -6… NEGATIVE SIX… in turnover margin, and yet somehow won. They also had more penalties for more penalty yards… and yet somehow won. Luckily for SMU, Duke did nothing with those six turnovers – not a single point on the ensuing drives – and the Mustangs quest for a conference title in their first season in the ACC lives on. Granted, anymore efforts like the one last week and that dream will be dashed in quick fashion. Next up is a home game against Pitt.
5. Louisville (last week: 31-27 W @ Boston College)
For the fifth straight week, the Cards played a one-possession game. For just the second time in that span, they came out winners. That almost didn’t happen, though, as BC jumped out to a 20-0 lead and led 27-10 midway through the 3rd quarter. Louisville turned it on late, though, scoring the last 21 points to pull out the victory. This is still a team capable of beating anybody, but also goes through spells where they look like they could lose to anybody. Next up is a likely loss on the road at Clemson.
6. Virginia Tech (last week: 21-6 W vs Georgia Tech)
The Hokies offense did just a little more than nothing, but it was enough to top GT. VT got off the field when they needed to and forced the only two turnovers in the game, which was all the difference. Not a confidence-boosting win, but a win nonetheless – and one which puts the Hokies one more win away from a bowl game. Syracuse comes to town this weekend.
7. Duke (last week: 27-28 L vs SMU)
If this Duke team had an offense that was worth a lick, they’d be looking at this week’s matchup with Miami as a potential elimination game for – or maybe a preview of – the ACC Championship Game. Instead, the storyline of Manny Diaz returning to play spoiler against his hometown team and former employer will have to suffice. Seriously, how do you force six turnovers and lose? That’s impressive… in a very not good way.
8. Syracuse (last week: 13-41 L @ Pittsburgh)
Boy, that one got away from the Orange in a hurry. Kyle McCord completed 5 passes to dudes in the wrong jersey, and three of those went for touchdowns. I still contend that Syracuse’s approach of having McCord air it out almost non-stop is not the best use of those offensive weapons… buuuuut that team is 5-2 overall, so what do I know? Even outside of the turnovers, the Orange offense managed just 3.5 yards/play on the day despite running 93 plays. Cuse hosts VT this week.
9. Boston College (last week: 27-31 L vs Louisville)
A bowl game is quickly slipping from BC’s grips. With Syracuse, SMU, and Pitt still to go, the Eagles sit at 4-4 overall. BC made the most of two Louisville turnovers in the first half to jump out to a 20-0 lead, but the offense lacked consistency enough to capitalize on the early lead and put away the Cardinals. After a TD on their first drive of the 2nd half, BC didn’t have a drive top 20 yards until their last one of the game, which only went 23 yards and resulted in a turnover on downs. The program is looking up, but the postseason is not. The Eagles get a bye week before the finishing kick of the season.
10. NC State (last week: Bye)
Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Wins before bye weeks make memories of previous transgressions fade… at least for one week. The Pack host Stanford this week with an opportunity to inch closer towards bowl eligibility.
11. California (last week: 44-7 W vs Oregon State)
Way to go, Bears! Cal broke their four-game losing streak in impressive fashion, completely dismantling former conference foe Oregon State. This wasn’t some flukey turnover-fest of a game that made things look worse than they were. Cal went out and dominated, much to the enjoyment of NC State fans. The Bears get a bye before heading to Winston-Salem for a Friday night game next week.
12. Georgia Tech (last week: 6-21 L @ Virginia Tech)
As long as Haynes King isn’t playing for GT, this is a vulnerable team. The defense, though, will keep them in games. The play that turned this game was a 3rd quarter interception that set up VT in GT territory, which resulted in a quick TD. That forced GT to have to go for broke on two later drives that could have been different. The Jackets get a bye week before a matchup with Miami, hopefully time for King to get healthy… although I’m cool if he sits things out until that regular season finale with Georgia. Best to play it safe, young man.
13. North Carolina (last week: 41-14 W @ Virginia)
UNC’s offense clicked and the team rolled Virginia on the road. Things stayed pretty tight until a pair of 2nd quarter TD drives put UNC up 24-6 at the break. A UVA interception on the opening drive of the 2nd half led to a short UNC TD drive and that was the game. UNC’s much maligned defense registered 10 sacks in the game, with Kaimon Rucker getting 3.0 by himself and Beau Atkinson snagging a pair. The Heels play at Florida State this week before hitting their bye week.
14. Wake Forest (last week: 27-24 W @ Stanford)
Wake can officially hoist the Nerd Trophy (not a real thing… at least I don’t think) after taking down the giant arts-and-crafts tree in California. This wasn’t a pretty game (you knew it wouldn’t be) with 6 total turnovers and 16 total penalties, but this was an ACC game that was played. The Deacs kicked a 23-yard field goal with 1:48 to play and then picked off an Ashton Daniels pass to seal the win. Wake is on a bye this week before hosting Cal.
15. Virginia (last week: 14-41 L vs North Carolina)
What the heck was that, Virginia?! Playing a team that had given up 34 or more points in five of seven games this year and you score… 14? That’s it? Pathetic. There will officially be a QB controversy over the bye week as Anthony Colandrea was pretty awful and Tony Muskett came in during garbage time to lead another late TD drive. The Wahoos better figure things out, because they get three straight ranked opponents when they get back to it.
16. Stanford (last week: 24-27 L vs Wake Forest)
I’m sorry to all the NC State fans for ranking Stanford here. This is where they belong, but – yeah, I know – it’s setting them up to show up in Raleigh and look like Andrew Luck is still roaming the campus.
17. Florida State (last week: 14-36 L @ Miami)
With their loss to hated rival Miami, the Seminoles become the first ACC team officially eliminated from a bowl game. And for that, they sit in the ACC basement this week. Hopefully redemption comes this week with a home tilt against North Carolina.