SEC 2 v. ACC 0 - The weekend began with a pathetic performance by NC State versus South Carolina. There was hype that this was the year that NC State would start to turn the corner but they managed only a paltry 133 yards in offense and Russell Wilson did not look like the leader that this team needs. This was followed by the ABC game of the week and, just like last year, the ACC was unable to top Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide. Virginia Tech hung tough for much of the game but the close store does not tell the real story of the game as Alabama outgained the Hokies 498-155 in total offense. Tyrod Taylor was a pathetic 9-20 for 91 yards and no touchdowns. Without turnovers and special teams this would have been as much of a slaughter as last year's pounding of Clemson.
Middle Tennessee St. is the only D-I victory - Clemson is the only team that succeeded in beating a D-I opponent (Monday night's Miami (FL) v. Florida St. doesn't count as it is two ACC teams facing each other) and it was only Sun Belt member Middle Tennessee State. No offense to the Blue Raiders but I would be more impressed if they beat Tennessee. BC, Georgia Tech, and North Carolina had victories against I-AA teams. These were the only teams that actually performed as expected this weekend. One would even say that BC performed above expectations with their 54-0 rout but its too early to say how good BC is or Northeastern is not so I'm not going to get too hyped up about it. Which leads us to...
Duke & Virginia lost to I-AA teams - With Virginia you have to almost feel bad. They lost a lot last year and were anticipated to really struggle. BUT a 26-14 loss to William & Mary is not exactly what the Cavalier faithful were hoping for. Especially painful was the game clinching Pick 6 as Virginia was attempting to make a game saving drive late in the game. Duke is another story. They finished 4-8 last year but there were signs that this might be a team building up to its first bowl game in some time. There was decent hype around their quarterback and the offense. Now a major set back with a loss to Richmond. Granted Richmond is the defending I-AA national champion but it still does not look good for the ACC to have two losses in the opening weekend to teams that aren't even in your division.
All in all - it looks like another painful year for the ACC. Should Miami win tonight it will complete the upheaval of the first week and maintain the national reputation of the league as one that does not belong in the BCS. When teams like Boise State and BYU make firm statements with big victories the ACC continues its tread of mediocrity.
2 comments:
William and Mary????? UVa lost to William and MARY????? How the hell did UVa lose to William and Mary? Dude... *shakes head in amazement*
Also, there was a brouhaha around a team here in Oregon (the Ducks, perhaps) and one of their players going off on players from the other team, his teammates, the fans, the police escorting him off the field, basically everybody. I kept tuning in just as the story wound down. Any clue what it was about, oh font of all things sportsish?
As a matter of fact I do - Oregon's senior, 1,000 yards last year, rusher (LaGarrette Blount) punched a Boise State player after his team lost to the Broncos on the lovely blue field at BSU. The Boise player taunted him as they passed each other on the field after the game and Blount sucker punched him in the jaw. He then got into it with some fans on the way out. Mr. Blount has been suspended for the season. Goes from a 2nd/3rd round pick to possibly undrafted. Stupid. Especially from a senior leader.
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