Way to represent, Virginia Tech and Clemson. Two of the Atlantic Coast Conference’s supposed top dogs absolutely faceplanted this past weekend on the main stage.
First up, the Chokies. Darlings in the Coastal Division, despite losing four wide receivers and the majority of their front seven. Virginia Tech was told, beware of East Carolina. Guess they missed that memo. The 27-22 loss was made possible by an ECU blocked kick for touchdown in the waning moments.
139 passing yards for Tech. 99 yards for the two new running backs. 369 yards for the Purple Pirates to 243 total yards for the Hokies and beaten at their own special teams game.
Hours later, a top-ten Clemson team proved they were overrated as well, getting manhandled by Alabama in the Georgia Dome. In what felt like another lopsided ACC/SEC Peach Bowl, the Tigers were downright embarrassing. Thunder (C.J. Spiller) and Lightning (James Davis) rushed eight total times for a total of 20 yards.
Alabama, praised for their defense, amassed 488 yards compared to Clemson’s 188. The Tide never turned the ball over, while the Tigers gave it away twice. CU’s defense gave up 239 on the ground as four different Bama backs bowled over them, en route to a 34-10 beat down.
As expected, the media loudmouths are out today, deservedly trashing the ACC.
I absolutely love it. Not because I lack conference pride, but because it proves the conference is wide open this year.
Miami isn’t in the national championship hunt this season. It’s all about the ACC. Compete in conference. Try to get to Tampa. Hope for a BCS game. Haul in another big time recruiting class and do it all again next year, setting the bar a little bit higher.
Besides the Canes, Wake Forest and Georgia Tech were the only other ACC team who rolled in week one. Boston College, an uninspired win over Kent State, 21-0. Maryland took down mighty Delaware, 14-7 (nice call by ESPN’s Heather Dinich picking the Terps third in conference and being this year’s ‘sleeper’.) North Carolina escaped McNeese State, 35-27.
On par with Virginia Tech and Clemson – NC State was worked, 34-0 by South Carolina and Virginia was abused to the tune of 45-7 by Southern Cal.
Let the critics blast away and let the haters hate. All that matters is knowing a young Miami team has a chance to compete, thanks to what looks like another down year for the ACC. The Canes were thought to be a year away from being an in-conference threat, but after seeing the ACC’s “best” beaten to a pulp this last weekend, how can anyone count out the Canes?
Florida is on deck and while Miami fans badly want a win in Gainesville, next Saturday is virtually a meaningless game. Some recruiting implications, sure – but all that matters is conference play when you’re not in the title hunt.
Miami gets it’s toughest conference foes at Dolphin Stadium this year. North Carolina (9/27), Florida State (10/4), Wake Forest (10/25) and Virginia Tech (11/13). ACC road trips are at Duke (10/18), Virginia (11/1), Georgia Tech (11/20) and NC State (11/29).
A lot of football is left to be played and the ACC could rebound, but this past weekend should be a shot in the arm for Miami – seeing that even their highest-ranked conference foes are mortal and that Tampa could be that much closer if the Canes play to their potential in 2008.
Tampa is here,,,,,
The weather is here,,,,,, I wish you were beautiful. lol
I gotz 6 tickets already,,,,, will make West Coast Canes fans my first priority should the stars align properly and you find yourself in need. Have your peeps call my peeps, we’ll have lunch.
All that being said,,,, all that I am really hoping for this Saturday is a non-blowout,,, give us some respect,,, type weekend,,,, in the land of the slithering reptiles.
We are down,,, they are God’s gift,,,, let’s play some ball.
I have had countless GAYtors here at work wanting to put some
cash-ola on this game.
SUUUURE,,,,I’ll refinance the beach condo that I bought with my winnings from the last six matchups and cover your wager.
dayum,,,, I hate the GAYtors.
Hate to disagree with you, but the UF game isn’t meanigless. Sure we are heavy underdogs, but this is the kind of game that will tell us about the character of these kids. We get blown out like most expect, then we still have a long way to go. Now, if we go in there, play well, and keep this one close, win or lose, it builds the kind of confidence a young team needs to build for the future.
Hate to disagree with you, but the UF game isn’t meaningless. Sure we are heavy underdogs, but this is the kind of game that will tell us about the character of these kids. We get blown out like most expect, then we still have a long way to go. Now, if we go in there, play well, and keep this one close, win or lose, it builds the kind of confidence a young team needs to build for the future.
… which is why I said ‘virtually meaningless’. This is Miami’s oldest rival – 70 years going. The Canes hate the Gators and vice versa. For bragging rights… state pride… a leg up on recruiting… it’s a huge game.
But it’s just one game.
It determines nothing. A win doesn’t mean the Canes won’t trip up down the road and a loss doesn’t mean another collapse is imminent.
The Canes rolled up aTm last year on a Thursday night in the OB and we thought they’d finally clicked. A week later, struggling against Duke and then losing at North Carolina.
Miami was expected to blow into the ACC and take charge. This is year five and the Canes have little to show.
Making strides in conference is what it’s all about in 2008. A win over Florida could prove big and pay dividends down the road, but a loss doesn’t mean the Canes can’t get it together and get to Tampa.
A loss doesn’t affect the chances for Tampa/ACC; a beat down in Gainesville though will show we still have a ways to go. Dare I say same ole “give up” Canes of the past two years. But a competitive loss, this would be good for our team. As when you’re young and inexperienced, to be the best you have to play the best. If we can be competitive with them, our young talent will gain confidence and know the ACC (especially given some of the early performances) should be pretty easy going.
I see where Urban Myer says he’s playing Harvin and 2 other injured players againt us. Makes me think he has some concerns in the back of his mind.
I also just heard from a Gator of course that they are giving Florida a 3 TD spread!
The ACC is wide open and I’d love to see the Canes in Ray Jay come Dec. I’d be there for that!!
Although conference strength is important, I have to admit I LOVED seeing Tech and Clemson lose. I watched the Alabama-Clemson game and Bowden should not be on the sidelines for that team again. He sets the tone for that team and followed his normal route of being tight and that flowed down to his team. The guy has all the talent in the world and they don’t even show up. Lord knows how he got an extension. Must be the name. Miami got a win, regardless of who it was, and I’m happy for it.
As far as Tech, I despise them just below FSU. I welcome their struggles all day. We have to turn around the streak to them. We better smack them this year.
-Columbus Cane