The elusive ACC Atlantic title, this year's 2010 race reminds us of the crazy scramble in 2008. In 2008, Boston College and Florida State tied for 1st at 5-3, with Maryland, Wake Forest, Clemson, and North Carolina State all tying for 2nd at 4-4. Talk about parity. With 3 conference games left for each team, it seemed to be a race between Maryland, FSU, and Wake. However, BC turned it on when it mattered most, winning their last 3 games against the top 3 teams and stealing the division at a measly 5-3 (tiebreaker over FSU).
This year, there are 4 teams left in this crazy race, Maryland, Florida State, North Carolina State, and Clemson. The Terps and the Pack, at 3-2 both control their own destiny, and these two teams will collide for an epic showdown the last game of the season, November, 27. The 'Noles despite being 4-2, will need some help because of their 28-24 loss to NCSU earlier this year. They have a crucial game against Maryland their last ACC game of the season, November, 20. The Tigers find themselves at 3-3, with victories in 3 out of their last 4 after starting 0-2 in the ACC. With their most recent victory this weekend over NCSU, Clemson now owns a head to head tiebreaker over both the Terps and the Pack. This Saturday, the Tigers will take on FSU with a chance to hold the tiebreaker over all 3 teams ahead of them in the standings.
Lets take a look at each team's remaining schedule:
Florida State (4-2)
11/13 Clemson
11/20 @Maryland
I believe FSU will turn it around this week against Clemson, but will go down to the Terps on the road. This leaves the 'Noles at 5-3, with a head to head victory over Clemson.
Maryland (3-2)
11/13 @Virginia
11/20 Florida State
11/27 North Carolina State
I believe the Terps will take down hated rival UVA, which means their chances at an Atlantic title will come down to the last 2 games of the year. I think Maryland will beat FSU, but will lay an egg against NCSU. This leaves the Terps at 5-3, with a head to head victory over FSU.
North Carolina State (3-2)
11/13 Wake Forest
11/20 @North Carolina
11/27 @Maryland
I think NC State should be able to take out Wake and UNC pretty easily, and I believe they will take down Maryland the last week of the season. This puts them at 5-3, with a head to head victories over FSU and Maryland.
Clemson (3-3)
11/13 @Florida State
11/20 @Wake Forest
I am predicting Clemson will go down to FSU on the road, but will rebound against a terrible Wake Forest team. This leaves the Tigers at 4-4, with head to head victories over Maryland and NC State.
ACC Atlantic Final Standings, 1-4:
1. North Carolina State (5-3)
2. Maryland (5-3)
3. Florida State (5-3)
4. Clemson (4-4)
NC State, Maryland, and FSU all end up at 5-3, and Clemson falls short at 4-4. NC State owns the head to head tiebreaker over Maryland and FSU, so they will travel down to Charlotte for the ACC title game.
Unfortunately for Clemson, they weren't able to get it done early in the season against Miami and North Carolina, and losing to Boston College at home really was dagger for them this season. Winning any of these games would have put Clemson in the title game according to my projections, because of victories over Maryland and NC State.
Florida State's 2 losses by the past week came by the margins of 2 and 4. If only the 'Noles could have pulled out one of those games, they would going to Charlotte.
Maryland's loss this past week against Miami really hurts, and they now will be playing in the Emerald Bowl. Now "coach" Ralph Friedgen and "offensive coordinator" James Franklin will be sticking around another year to lead the Terps to defeat! Great!
Debbie, congrats on the ACC Atlantic title! You and the Pack have just won the right to be dominated by Virginia Tech in the ACC Championship Game!
