About 6:15 p.m. Saturday, it looked as if the ACC was about to take a major beating in its three important non-conference games. North Carolina trailed South Carolina 21-3. Virginia had fallen behind Connecticut. Even highly ranked Boston College suddenly looked vulnerable, giving up 14 quick points to a weak Notre Dame club.
But over the next 45 minutes, events changed dramatically. The Tar Heels completely took over against the Gamecocks. Although they lost, this young team came very close to scoring a big upset, falling 21-15 on the game's final play. Virginia drove the field against undefeated UConn and Chris Gould kicked the game-winning field goal. In South Bend, Matt Ryan and Boston College regrouped and put away the Fighting Irish 27-14.
Other notes on the weekend: Virginia Tech put together its best offensive showing all year against Duke, and did it without young quarterback Tyrod Taylor. The mobile freshman injured his ankle in the second period. With Tech leading Duke just 13-7, former starter Sean Glennon took over the game. Glennon mixed the run and the pass as Tech piled up 445 yards and 43 points. At the other end of the spectrum, Duke played its worst game since early in the season. Duke's lack of a running game continues to hurt.
Georgia Tech overcame a 7-point deficit in the second half at Miami. The Yellow Jackets kept Miami off balance by running Tashard Choice between the tackles and using Taylor Bennett's ability to run or pass to put pressure on the Canes' perimeter. Bennett still missed more targets than he hit, but his 125 yards passing kept Miami from zeroing in completely on the run as Boston College was able to do. Bennett's running produced both of Tech's touchdowns. Miami has to be disappointed with its play at home in the Orange Bowl. This was not the team that whipped Texas A&M.
Wake Forest looked impressive in its Thursday night meeting with Florida State. Josh Adams and Micah Andrews ran the ball against the 'Noles better than anyone else has all year. Adams' speed and Andrews' power seemed to discourage FSU as the game rolled along. Plus, Florida State's offense continued to under-achieve.
So at the midway point, the ACC is beginning to move up in the national power picture, although still trailing the SEC, the PAC 10, and probably the Big East. The battle for the ACC Championship game is also taking shape. Boston College has the edge in the Atlantic Division, having already beaten Wake Forest. But the Deacs still have a chance, and so does Maryland.
The Coastal Division looks to be an all Virginia affair, with both Virginia and Virginia Tech 3-0. North Carolina could now make some noise, but the Tar Heels have already lost to the Cavaliers and Hokies. Carolina finishes against Wake Forest, Maryland, N.C. State, Georgia Tech and Duke. Even if the Tar Heels win all of these games, it does not appear they would have an impact on the battle for the ACC Championship Game in Jacksonville.
