Three Impact Games in the ACC Coastal: Week 13

It is the last week of the ACC regular season. Which games are the most important to the ACC Coastal? Check them out here.

Thanksgiving is that time of the year, as the name suggests, to give thanks for the things in our lives. It is a good time to forget the bad and to be glad for the things we might otherwise overlook. So with the spirit of the season in mind, let’s look at something each team in the Coastal should be thankful for.

Georgia Tech: October 24th, 2015

The date listed above is the day that the Yellow Jackets shocked the nation with the Block Six. Up until that game Georgia Tech had lost five consecutive games and had failed to beaten a power five school. Since that victory over Florida State, the Jackets have lost three straight, meaning the Seminoles are their only power five win still. In a season that’s been a huge disappointment, this is definitely something to be thankful for.

Duke: Basketball Season

Back at Halloween, this section would’ve been a lot different. That was also the weekend Duke lost to Miami on a play that not only saw officials get suspended, but also the start of a four game losing streak for the Blue Devils. A team that at that time was a favorite to win the Coastal, is lucky they had already wrapped up bowl eligibility before the Miami game. Thankfully, basketball season started a couple of weeks ago, so the Blue Devils can take solace in being the reigning national champs with a pretty good team this year as well.

Virginia: Taquan Mizzell

The Junior running back has been one of the few bright spots in what should be Mike London’s last in Charlottesville. In an unfulfilled season which the Cavaliers have lost five games by seven or less, Mizzell has been a weapon not just in the backfield but in the open field as well. So far this season he has posted eight games of over 100 total yards, including six straight. If he returns for his senior season, whoever is coaching Virginia next year will be thankful to have him.

Virginia Tech: Frank Beamer

As if there could be any other choice than the man who put Virginia Tech football on the map. Not only is he sixth overall in NCAA history with 277 victories, but he also has led the Hokies to 22 consecutive bowl appearances including one in the 1999 Sugar Bowl against Florida State for a National Championship. The man who is responsible for the term Beamer Ball, will be sorely missed in Blacksburg, but fans should be thankful for the nearly three decades of excellent play and sportsmanship.

Miami: The Unknown

I was tempted to say Larry Scott here who is 3-1 since taking over four games ago. However, he wouldn’t be in that situation without the firing of Al Golden and since he probably won’t be there after this season, the unknown made more since. The next hire is a move that will have a big impact on one of the bigger names in college football. The right move and Miami can return to a prominence they have not seen since the Larry Coker era. A bad move and it could be more of the same. Thankfully the Unknown is current and Hurricane fans can remain hopeful the university will make a good decision.

Pittsburgh: Tyler Boyd

I know I have touted the ACC’s top WR all season. So it should come as no shock that he is my choice. Honestly, the Panthers have much to be thankful for. Their new coach Pat Narduzzi is easily one of the best coaching hires this past season. QB Nate Peterman really has given this offense a jolt, throwing for over 2000 yards and 18 TDs, while freshman running back Qadree Ollison has rushed for a 1,000 yards and 10 scores filling in for an injured James Connor. However, Boyd has been the spark of this offense and is really the main reason Pitt is 8-3. His 80 receptions don’t only rank first in the ACC, but ninth in the nation as well. Next season some NFL QB is going to be thankful to have Boyd on his team.

North Carolina: Elijah Hood and Gene Chizik

Nov 14, 2015; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back Elijah Hood (34) carries the ball against the Miami Hurricanes during the first quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Pike-USA TODAY Sports

Like Pittsburgh, Carolina fans have a lot to be thankful for, including a 10 game winning streak that is currently third longest in the nation. However, I feel like these two men stand out above the rest, and unlike the other schools on this list, I didn’t feel right picking one over the other. Chizik is in charge of one of the biggest turnarounds of the season, something that probably isn’t getting the national attention it deserves. Not only has the defense been competitive this season, it has actually kept the Heels in ball games when the offense fizzles.

Elijah Hood cannot be blamed for any fizzling as he is the first running back since Giovanni Bernard to rush for over 1000 yards in a season. Hood’s 1060 yards are not only 28th in the nation (second in the ACC) but his 14 TDs are tied for 12th. He has rushed for over 100 six times this season and scored multiple TDs in five games as well. He is also just a sophomore meaning the Heels have another whole season to be thankful for number 34.

These past rankings I rehashed a list and a new list of things that would need to happen to help the Heels make the playoffs. This week Carolina was ranked 14th by the committee which is a 3 spot jump from the week before. Though it was not as great of a jump as the week before, up is the right direction. Thankfully the list of teams with two losses ahead of the Heels is down to three.

On Wednesday Jeff Long, the Committee Chairman, gave some words on Carolina’s situation. Once again he spoke of the Heel’s schedule and bad loss as two big hurdles that the committee just can’t look past in regards to UNC. Though I still believe that winning solves all things, I do not feel confident that Carolina can make the top four without a little chaos coming their way. Thankfully, eight of the 13 teams ranked ahead of the Heels play each other this week meaning that the Heels should continue to move up as long as they find ways to win. So with all of this Thanksgiving cheer, it is time for this week’s three impact games in the ACC Coastal.

Miami at Pittsburgh (Friday Nov 27th @ 12pm)

Both teams are coming off big wins. Both teams are also playing for bowl position. It is possible for a better bowl to take a team that finishes below another as long as said team is within one win of the team being skipped. A win by the Hurricanes would put them within that one game and Miami does carry the brand name that bowls crave. Can the Canes pull the upset or will Pitt continue to do what it does against lesser competition?

North Carolina Tar Heels /

North Carolina Tar Heels

Things going for the Hurricanes: QB Brad Kaaya has thrown for over 300 yards in consecutive games. Pittsburgh is the fourth worst team in the ACC against the pass (the ACC on the whole has been surprisingly good against the pass with 10 teams ranked in the top 50) allowing over 210 passing yards per game. The Miami pass defense, which ranks 41st against the pass, has allowed only one 100 yard receiving game this season, which bodes poorly for Pitts best player.

Things going for the Panthers: Normally this is where I would mention Tyler Boyd, but since I did that earlier, I won’t belabor the subject. The game is in Pittsburgh and Miami is not as good on the road as they are in Coral Gables. Miami ranks dead last in the ACC against the run and that is good news for a Pittsburgh team that has rushed for over 2000 yards this season which is fifth in the ACC.

Once again the play of Pittsburgh does have a direct impact on the Tar Heels playoff chances. If the Panthers win, they will probably move in the top 25 this week. Adding a top 25 win to what is otherwise an underwhelming resume would be a boon to Carolina’s hopes. If the game was in Miami I would give the Hurricanes a chance, but the Canes have not done well against good teams this year. Pitt is clearly the fourth best team in the ACC and against the other top three teams Miami is 0-3 having been outscored 146-45. Unless the Panthers don’t come prepared to play, expect Pittsburgh to get their ninth win, sixth in a row, for the first time since 2009.

Virginia Tech at Virginia (Saturday Nov 28th @ 12pm)

While Virginia is coming off a big win against Duke, the Hokies are coming off an emotional OT loss to UNC. Virginia Tech needs the win to become bowl eligible and to send Frank Beamer out with an amazing 23rd straight bowl game. The Cavaliers need a win to give them a bowl chance (5-7 teams become eligible if there aren’t enough 6-6 teams to fill all the spots). Can Virginia Tech get the job done or will Mike London give the Cavaliers a reason to rethink his firing?

Things going for the Hokies: History. The Hokies have won the last 11 meetings, and 15 of the last 16, between these two teams by an average score of 29-11. RB Travon McMillan has rushed for 462 yards in his last five games while Virginia has allowed 653 rushing yards in their last four. Their defense also held one of the top offenses in the country to only 24 points in regulation while forcing three fumbles.

Things going for the Cavaliers: The game is in Charlottesville. Virginia has won all four games at home this season including last week’s win over the Blue Devils. They are averaging 32 points per game at home as opposed to just 20 on the road. The Cavs also have Taquan Mizzell, who I mentioned above, who can cause havoc on both the ground and in the passing game, creating nightmare matchups for defenses.

Virginia has a real shot in this game particularly since it is a home game. Also the Cavaliers have been better than their record and were a couple of late scores away from playing for bowl eligibility themselves. However, the Beamer factor stands out biggest here. Not only is it Coach Beamer’s last regular season game, it will also be his last in the Commonwealth Cup, a game he has owned 19-7 in his 26 previous seasons in Blacksburg. Unless Mike London went to Ireland and stole a leprechaun, expect the Hokies to make it 12 straight and send Frank Beamer out in style.

North Carolina at North Carolina State (Saturday Oct 28th @ 3:30pm)

Nov 21, 2015; Blacksburg, VA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Marquise Williams (12) looks to pass in the second quarter at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Last season North Carolina was coming off a huge win against Duke, clinching bowl eligibility. They were hosting the Wolfpack at home and most thought the Heels had finally turned the corner. Instead State handled the Heels soundly to the tune of 35-7. This season UNC is coming off a tight win against Virginia Tech on the road, this time clinching the Coastal. Will history repeat itself with a Wolfpack upset or will Carolina keep its winning streak alive?

Things going for the Tar Heels: Elijah Hood. Mack Hollins. Ryan Switzer. Quinshad Davis. Shakeel Rashad. Des Lawrence. Landon Turner. Jeff Schoettmer. Naz Jones. The Good Marquise Williams. Those names plus many others are the reason the Heels are 10-1 this season. In this last week of the regular season, I wanted to take a minute to say thanks for an incredible season thus far.

Things going against the Tar Heels: Bad Williams and Bad Fedora. I feel like we should put these two in the same category. Though Bad Williams has been discussed at length, Bad Fedora has not. However, both are responsible for the Tar Heels inability to move into the top 10 of the CFP rankings. Both made bad decisions in their loss to South Carolina and their OT win collapse against VT. In those two games Williams had six turnovers, while Fedora made questionable calls that hindered the Heels as well. Also Carolina has struggled against running QBs and State’s has rushed for 175 and 3 TDs this season, not to mention the 167 yards he ran for against the Heels last season.