Elzy's Emergence a Major Boost for UNC

Elzy helped pave the way to a 27-0 Tar Heel lead over Miami. The previous week, Elzy entered the game against Virginia Tech with the Hokies leading, 17-3. He really gave his team a chance to win in Blacksburg as well. Carolina can also get mileage out of big Ryan Houston and fleet Johnny White - both give defenses a little different look than Elzy. This team has improved to the point where it now has a solid chance to win in every game it plays the remainder of the year.

Miami did not necessarily take a step back Saturday, but the Hurricanes have demonstrated they have two different gears. The team that rocked Texas A&M and piled up 20 quick points on UNC has been strangely absent in several of the Canes' other outings.

Boston College has one more week in its "ACC Vacation." BC has dominated three non-conference opponents after starting with three league wins, and this week should handle Notre Dame. Playing Army, Massachusetts, and Bowling Green has given Eagles offensive coordinator Steve Logan the opportunity to save some of the playbook for the end of the season. BC's defense ran two interceptions back for touchdowns last week, although I still think the Eagles' pass defense is a bit suspect against top competition. This team may be a little over-rated at No. 4, but is certainly a Top 10 team - and a strong favorite to play in the ACC Championship Game.

N.C. State showed some improvement against Florida State. Jamelle Eugene replaced the injured Andre Brown and churned out more than 100 yards. Daniel Evans moved the team in the first half against a very good defense. Turnovers are still killing this team - four on Saturday. State's defense held Florida State to two offensive touchdowns, which is an improvement. But that may have more to do with Florida State's lack of offensive firepower.

Florida State, even with quarterback Xavier Lee giving the running game a boost, should get more than 124 yards rushing against State. Everyone else has. On the other hand, with the strength of FSU's defense and kicking game, running the football is not quite as necessary for the 'Noles against ACC teams as running is for, say, Carolina.

Virginia Tech has certainly demonstrated a team can get to the top in this league without much offense. The Hokies scored three touchdowns against Clemson with their offense on the sidelines.

Clemson now has real mid-season issues, as it always seems to have under Tommy Bowden. It's really puzzling how the team with the ACC's most balanced offense in September now can't score a touchdown.

Maryland looks to be a team on the move in the ACC. The Terps got three touchdowns from Lance Ball and a good performance from backup quarterback Chris Turner.

Georgia Tech showed more offense against Maryland than it had in previous ACC tilts. Taylor Bennett passed for more than 300 yards and gave his team a chance for a comeback win. Travis Bell's 52-yard field goal just missed.

Wake Forest moved the ball effectively against Duke. And the Deacons can still score those defensive touchdowns.

Duke has to be more disappointed than usual after losing to Wake. This was a team the Blue Devils felt they could beat. Duke generated more of a ground game Saturday but still can't mount drives consistently. This is a streaky team that scores points in bursts. But at other times, incompletions and short 2- and 3-yard runs put the Duke defense back on the field too quickly. If Duke can start winning time of possession, that should make a difference.