The three biggest ACC football questions of the week. Here we go for Week 4.
Can Clemson finally play a complete game?
Clemson led LSU 10-3 at the half and lost 17-10. They fell behind 16-3 to Troy before pulling away 27-16. They fell behind 13-0 to Georgia Tech before losing 24-21. Clemson has shown flashes, but they can’t put a full game together. Will this week be it against Syracuse? The Orange throws it as well as anyone in college football, but they do have a suspect defense. It almost feels like a now-or-never game for Clemson if they are to make one last push towards the playoffs. I think we’ll know by the end of the 1st quarter whether Clemson is starting to get things figured out. Right now, the offense is erratic at best, and the defense isn’t making critical plays.
Does Miami make a statement against Florida?
You can’t say Miami can’t win big games. Already this year, they beat Notre Dame and erased South Florida in a dangerous game. Florida was ranked in the top 15 just a couple of weeks ago and has enough talent to push Miami. I think the Canes will be fine, though. They have a QB in Carson Beck playing at a high level and a fast, aggressive defense. My only concern is that if it is a close game, will Cristobal go conservative or stay aggressive?
Can NC State and Cal get to 4-0?f it
Just below the surface of what Miami, FSU, and Georgia Tech are doing are NC State and Cal at 3-0. Led by young emerging QBs CJ Bailey and Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, NC State and Cal, those teams’ offenses are a load to handle, and their defenses are opportunistic. This week, NC State plays struggling (1-2) Duke, and Cal plays at (1-1) San Diego State. Give me quality QB play any day, and these teams are getting that. Now, if the rest of college football starts paying attention, they’ll get more top 25 votes.
