Chaotic as usual, the ACC currently has nine different teams either without a conference win or without a conference loss. Five games, all of which are head-to-head ACC match-ups, highlight the week seven slate where Technician assesses the rhythm of each team in the conference.
Boston College (1-5, 0-3 ACC) – “Dream On” by Aerosmith
“The past is gone
It went by, like dusk to dawn
Isn’t that the way
Everybody’s got their dues in life to pay”
For the Eagles to clinch a 13th consecutive winning season, it is going to take one of the more miraculous efforts the ACC has seen since expanding to 12 teams. Visits to Virginia Tech, Miami and Notre Dame highlight Boston College’s rather steep uphill battle to obtain bowl eligibility, but there will hopefully be no fear of losing this week with only practice standing in the way.
Next Game: at Virginia Tech (10/22, 3 p.m.)
#8 Clemson (6-0, 3-0 ACC) – “No One Believes Me” by Kid Cudi
“I know that something is wrong here
I can feel it but no one believes me
I know that something is strange here
I can sense it but no one believes me”
Continuing to shock the conference and the nation by uncharacteristically living up to growing expectations, the Tigers have emerged as a legitimate dark horse national title contender. Clemson may eventually get its chance to make skeptics true believers when they travel to Atlanta late in the season, but overlooking this week’s night game at Maryland would throw an all too familiar wrench into the plans.
Next Game: at Maryland (10/15, 7 p.m.)
Florida State (2-3, 0-2 ACC) – “Missed The Boat” by Modest Mouse
“Looking towards the future
We were begging for the past
Well we knew we had the good things
But those never seemed to last”
It’s officially time to panic in Tallahassee after three consecutive losses, which nearly eliminates the ‘Noles from Atlantic division contention. E.J. Manuel should have FSU back in the win column as they travel to Duke, but the preseason favorites to win the conference are in a massive hole.
Next Game: at Duke (10/15, 3 p.m.)
Maryland (2-3, 1-1 ACC) – “Dancing in the Dark” by Bruce Springsteen
“You can’t start a fire
You can’t start a fire without a spark
This gun’s for hire
even if we’re just dancing in the dark”
It’s been a blatantly hideous and unpredictable start for the Terps, who have ranged from beating Miami and taking Georgia Tech down to wire to getting roasted on its home turf by Temple. Under the hometown lights, Maryland can easily jump back into the conference title race with an upset over undefeated Clemson.
Next Game: vs. #8 Clemson (10/15, 7 p.m.)
N.C. State (3-3, 0-2 ACC) – “Stronger” by Kanye West
“I need you to hurry up now
’cause I can’t wait much longer
I know I got to be right now
’cause I can’t get much
