ACC Football Power Rankings, Week 6: Can someone wake Clemson up, please?
By Dante Pryor
Last Week: 14. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. player. 880. Pick Analysis. 1-3, 0-1. 14. Scouting Report
Taking it one day at a time seems to be working for the Yellow Jackets. Sure, they didn’t score an offensive touchdown against the Temple Owls in their 24-2 loss — not a typo folks — on Saturday but somethings are bigger than points, and winning.
They had one quarterback throw for 100 yards Saturday for the first time this season. Sure they only averaged 4.2 yards per pass, and only completed 41 percent of their passes, well 42 percent if you round up, but let’s focus on the positive. Not only did Graham throw for exactly 100 yards, the “Wramblin’ Reck” had two explosive plays in the passing game one for 42 yards, and one for 27.
Sam Howell and the Tar Heels better watch out. The Jackets have been watching film of Knute Rockne’s Notre Dame teams, and how they use the forward pass. Keep taking it one day at a time, coach.
Pick Analysis. 2-2, 0-2. 847. Scouting Report. Last Week: 10. Virginia Tech Hokies. 13. player
The more I watch the Hokies play, the more I think legendary head coach Frank Beamer made bringing and coaching talent in Blacksburg, Va., easier than it really is. The Hokies seem to be in a tailspin after their 45-10 loss to the Duke Blue Devils on Friday night.
Let three things sink in about that game. First, Tech started a quarterback that is a cast off from Kansas. Second, Duke was more physical than Virginia Tech upfront. Third, this was a home game for the Hokies; the same place where “Enter Sandman” is the entrance music for the home team.
Justin Fuente has a lot to figure out his team laid down in this one, and there are no two ways about that. They get a Miami team that’s feeling good about itself, so Fuente’s seat could start to warm up with another lackluster performance.
Pick Analysis. Last Week: 12. Boston College Eagles. 12. player. Scouting Report. 3-2, 1-1. 826
Losses are hard. They must be even harder to take when you do everything right. Boston College out gained Wake Forest in this game. They limited Wake Forest star receiver Sage Surratt to under 10 yards per catch and four receptions. They surrendered a meager 3.6 yards per carry on the ground against the Deacons. Yet, the Eagles still lost the game. How does this happen?
Football 101: Get the opposition off the field on third down. The Eagles didn’t do that, and the Deacons did. Boston College converted two third downs, while the Demon Deacons converted 17. If you can’t get your offense on the field, it’s really hard to score.
Life gets no easier for the Eagles. They play five of their final seven games away from Chestnut Hill. Their road journey starts with a trip to Louisville this weekend and includes trips to Death Valley East to take on Clemson, Touchdown Jesus to visit the Irish and a visit to Heinz Field where they might just get served a Pitt special.