Well Week 7 was full of intrigue and also disappointment. ACC Football has some new, fresh talent though to represent for us, so have no fear, “What Did We Learn?” is here…
1) Clemson is in EVERYBODY’s College Football Playoff
It’s no secret, Clemson is good but with their 34-17 win over a tough BC defense, I’ll say it, Clemson will make the College Football Playoff if all goes as planned. The victory puts Clemson in the driver’s seat for their own ACC destiny, don’t forget, the Tigers play Florida State 11/7.
Deshaun Watson played another stellar game, passing 27-41 with 420 passing yards and 3 passing touchdowns. The running game was okay, amassing 112 total rushing yards, but it was a huge day from sophomore Artavis Scott that has fans excited. Scott had 10 catches for 162 yards and a touchdown.
The Tigers face a pesky Hurricanes team who defeated Virginia Tech last week 30-20. Can the Canes give Clemson their first loss of the season? Doubtful.
2) Virginia Tech loves the Jekyll & Hyde theme
I’m convinced Virginia Tech football really digs the Jekyll & Hyde theme, otherwise, why else would they have reverted back to playing like Hyde (aka really bad!). The Hokies had 4 turnovers on their way to a 30-20 loss against the Miami Hurricanes.
Michael Brewer was available but Brenden Motley started the game. Motley had 2 interceptions before being pulled for Brewer, but by then, the damage was done. Brad Kaaya, Miami’s quarterback, threw for 296 yards and 2 touchdowns. The Hurricanes were 7-16 on 3rd down, the Hokies were 3-10. The Hurricanes executed while the Hokies didn’t.
At 3-3, you’re left to wonder, will the Hokies be bowl eligible when it’s all said and done? Execution has been hard to come by for the Hokies for quite some time now, and one has to wonder, when does it get better?
3) Florida State passes another “eye” test
On paper, Florida State is very talented, but at times, their talent doesn’t translate well to the gridiron. However, Week 7, against Louisville, the Seminoles came to play. Behind the stellar running of Dalvin Cook and leadership of Evertt Golson, the Seminoles defeated the Louisville Cardinals soundly 41-21.
Cook rushed for 163 yards and scored 2 rushing touchdowns, he also had 60 receiving yards. Golson was 26-38 for 372 passing yards and threw 3 touchdowns and he looked a lot more comfortable in the pocket after being tested early by a young Cardinals defensive front who sacked Golson 5 times.
The next test is against a stung Yellow Jackets squad who is 0-4 in the ACC so far on the season. If anybody is a good 0-4 ACC team, its Georgia Tech, Seminoles should be prepared this week for another test.
4) Pittsburgh is 3-0, Leader of the Coastal Division
Under first year head coach Pat Narduzzi, the Pittsburgh Panthers are 3-0 in the ACC since dropping a close game to Iowa in Week 3 on a last second 57 yard field goal. To add some irony to it, the Panthers used a 58 yard field goal to defeat defending ACC Coastal champions Georgia Tech 31-28 in Week 7. Who said you couldn’t learn from a loss?
Senior receiver Tyler Boyd had 8 catches and 2 touchdown receptions on the day and junior quarterback Nathan Peterman had a career day throwing a career high 3 passing touchdowns to go along with 162 passing yards.
The Panthers visit Syracuse this week, who lost a triple overtime thriller to UVA last week. Should Pitt be on upset alert? Maybe…but they’re a tough team to play against too.
5) I See You, UNC!
UNC let Wake Forest score first before scoring 29 points in the second quarter on their way to a 50-14 victory. Now, comes the fun part of trying to take it seriously. It all stops and starts with Marquise Williams, yes he had 3 touchdown passes, yes he threw for 282 passing yards but it’s Wake Forest.
Also, let’s add 2 interceptions by Williams to the stat line, because by golly, when you become a Marquise Williams fan, he’s bound to make a mistake that makes you go, “What the !@#$ was that?!” I say this to say, I see you UNC. At 3-0 in the ACC, we will visit this topic again and see where UNC football stands. They’ve knocked off Georgia Tech already as well, maybe they’re going to prove me wrong, but I’ve seen this before.
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