Three Impact Games in the ACC Coastal: Week 8
I have always been fascinated by the number 8. It is my favorite number. My birthday is on the 8th. My favorite 49er was Steve Young who wore the number 8. Actually if I had my own TV show it would probably be called the “Great Eight.” I also like the fact that every year I have an 8 in my age, we start a new decade.
My love of the number 8 runs into Carolina football as well. Eight wins is the most I have ever seen as a Carolina Alumni. 8-0 is one of the best starts in Carolina history back in 1997 in a year that the team started 8th overall in the country.
You may be asking why I am talking about the number 8. It just happens to be the 8th week in College Football and with it comes another round of great games in this amazing season. So with another rankings in the books and a college playoff spot on the line, it is time once again for the 3 impact games in the ACC Coastal.
Virginia at North Carolina (Saturday Oct 24th @ 3:30pm)
Last season this game came down to Mitch Trubisky stepping up. On third down and the Heels trailing by 6, Marquise Williams’ helmet got knocked off during a sack. According to NCAA rules that means the player must sit out the next play. On 4th down and the Heels 16 yards away, Mitch Trubisky delivered a TD pass to TJ Thorpe. UNC recovered an onside kick on the very next play and the Heels escaped Charlottesville 28-27. Will the game be as exciting this time around?
Things going for the Cavaliers: Virginia just beat Syracuse for their first FBS win of the season. Since getting lambasted 56-24 by Boise State at home, the Cavaliers have played competitive football. They lost by only 7 to Pitt and came back from a 10 point deficit to beat Syracuse in triple OT. Also Marquise Williams has a tendency to throw interceptions at inopportune times, including two on the first two Heel drives last week against Wake Forest.
Oct 17, 2015; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Marquise William (12) throws the ball during the first half against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
Things going for the Tar Heels: This season Virginia is 0-2 on the road. Meanwhile Carolina is 4-0 at home. Last week Hood ran for over 100 yards on 8 carries. Yes you read that right 8 carries. Meanwhile Virginia is up 160 yards rushing per game. Also UNC is getting back one of their suspended corners for this game making their pass defense just that much stronger.
When playing a team with a legitimate QB, the Cavaliers have been outscored 90-30 in two games. When Good Williams plays, UNC has a legitimate QB. The biggest question seems to be how long before Good Williams plays. In the South Carolina and Delaware game the answer was never. In the last two games the answer was sometime in the second quarter. Against A&T and Illinois, Good Williams came out of the gate. Carolina can probably survive this game as long as Good Williams shows up by the second quarter. If he shows up out of the gate, Trubitsky may throw another 4th quarter TD, just this time it won’t matter as much.
Duke at Virginia Tech (Saturday Oct 24th @ 3:30pm)
Duke is coming off a bye following a 44-3 thrashing of Army. Virginia Tech is coming off a 10 point loss to conference foe Miami. The Blue Devils needs a win to stay in the Coastal race. The Hokies need a win just to have a chance at the Coastal Crown. Which team will show they want it more?
Things going for the Blue Devils: Duke’s got a really good defense. It may even be the best in the conference. Against Pitt, another good defense, Virginia Tech managed all of 100 total yards in a 17-13 loss at home. On the other hand Virginia Tech’s defense is not as good in years past having given up an average of almost 28 points a game. Duke has outscored opponents 81-10 in two road games so far this season.
Things going for the Hokies: Again as good Duke’s defense has been, their offense has been abysmal, especially against Power 5 schools, which the Hokies just happen to be. Also Duke’s 2-0 road record has come against two non-Power 5 schools, making this their first real road test of the season. In three quarters of play this year against Ohio State and Miami, Michael Brewer has thrown 14 completions for 221 yards and 3 TDs. Michael Brewer will start this game after missing the past six starts with an injury.
In the one half he played against Ohio State, Michael Brewer had the Hokies leading at halftime against the number one team in the country. He also played even ball in the fourth quarter against a Hurricanes team that had out played Virginia Tech through the first three. Honestly, Brewer is the wild card. If he can find a way to move the ball against this staunch Devil’s D then the Hokies have a chance. If he can’t, don’t be surprised if the game is another offensive disappointment as Duke’s offense just has not done well against Power 5 competition this season.
Pittsburgh at Syracuse (Saturday Oct 24th @ 12pm)
Pitt, a preseason dark horse, is a media darling once again. After finding a way to survive against Georgia Tech, the Panthers have moved into the AP poll and are viewed by many as the team to beat in the Coastal. Meanwhile Syracuse is coming off a 3OT loss to Virginia and have now lost 3 straight after opening the season going 3-0.
Things going for the Panthers: The Panthers are winning despite not having James Connor since early in week 1. Nate Peterman had a big game last week against the Yellow Jackets, throwing for 162 yards and 3 TDs. Tyler Boyd continues to catch anything thrown his way, adding 8 rec and 2 scores to his already impressive season total.
Things going against the Panthers: The Cuse have the capability to beat good teams. They got to within 7 against LSU early in the 4th quarter before the Tigers put the game away. Also despite a good performance against a bad Georgia Tech defense, Pitt still has questions at QB and RB.
The Panthers have won their last two games by a total of ten points. Not a big deal except those two teams have a combined 5 wins on the season so far. The Orange are by no means a good team, but they aren’t a really bad one either. They also seem to do things people are expecting like lose to USF and Virginia, which means they could be in line for an upset. However as long as Pitt can get Tyler Boyd the ball they should win their 4th straight ACC matchup.
One to keep an eye on: Clemson at Miami (Saturday Oct 24th @ 12pm)
Can Miami pull the upset? Can Clemson stay undefeated? Will the Canes give up on their coach? Will Al Golden make it to Sunday if his team loses by 21 points? This game has a lot riding on it. Al Golden needs a win here to try to keep his job this year and beyond. Clemson needs to not stumble before the Florida State game. Miami needs to win just to keep up in the Coastal race. With so much riding on it, this game could have impacts not only on the ACC but the rest of the country as well.
In the only other game in the Coastal, Georgia Tech is facing an undefeated Seminoles team. Outside of what is most likely the Yellow Jackets 6th loss of the season, is whether or not Georgia Tech can force FSU’s first offensive TO of the season. So what will the season look like 8 weeks in? Who knows, but here’s a feeling that will be another great weekend in this amazing college season.