Monday, September 10, 2007

THE ACC COASTAL REPORT



BY CHRISTOPHER J. KRESGE
ACC INSIDER


Miami 13 – Oklahoma 51: Somewhere Barry Switzer was smiling on Saturday after Oklahoma embarrassed Miami 51-13. Randy Phillips and freshman DeMarcus Van Dyke were burned all day long. The defensive line was pushed around most of the afternoon by a bigger, stronger Oklahoma offensive line. Calais Campbell was able to record a sack and linebackers Colin McCarthy and Tavares Gooden were all over the field making tackles. However, Miami’s offense could not get their passing game in order to compliment Javarris James and Graig Cooper, who are both productive every time they run the ball. Miami is still missing that big time playmaker at wide receiver. Lance Leggett did not play physically enough and didn’t go for the ball in the air. Kyle Wright was called in to replace Kirby Freeman and drove the offense to an 18-play, 52-yard scoring drive. He looked poised, threw sharp passes but was pulled for Freeman. This is still unexplainable? Don’t give up on Miami yet, they are still a very good team and will be competitive all year in the ACC. They were just overmatched this week against Oklahoma whom is a very good team that will make a run for the National Championship.
NEXT WEEK: Florida International

Georgia Tech 69 – Samford 14:
So much for a letdown week after Georgia Tech’s beat down of the Irish in South Bend. Georgia Tech performed the way most good teams do against lesser opponents, by beating them handily. (Take notes Michigan) The offense continued their impressive show of strength and senior leadership compiling 380 rushing yards, 110 of which were gained by workhorse Tashard Choice, which came all in the first quarter. Choice also scored two touchdowns. Boston College heads down to Atlanta next week for their first ACC game of the year.
NEXT WEEK: Boston College

Virginia Tech 7 – LSU 48:
The Hokies thought they were at a NASCAR event and not Death Valley after watching one of the fastest teams in the nation run past them for a 48-7 blowout Saturday night. Without a doubt, one of the toughest places to play in college football, but it wasn’t so much the crowd intimidation, but LSU’s overall team quickness on both sides of the ball. Sean Glennon was 2/10 with one interception before being replaced by former high school All-American and true freshman Tyrod Taylor, whom was not much better, but showed flashes of Michael Vick with his ability to improvise and move outside the pocket. Taylor finished 7/18 for 62 yards and one rushing touchdown. The Hokie offensive line was overmatched by LSU’s defensive front led by All-American Glenn Dorsey. T he Hokie defense could not keep up with the plethora of weapons LSU threw at them. Missed tackles and blown assignments sum up the team defense as a whole. Virginia Tech is a good team, but obviously not ready to be discussed in the National Championship picture this year.
NEXT WEEK: OHIO

VIRGINIA 24 – DUKE 13
What an ugly game, which was mired in turnovers and bad plays. The only bright spot was the running of Cedric Peerman whom rushed for 137 yards and one touchdown. Al Groh knows his job is on the line so his patience is thin when it comes to Jameel Sewell. Sewell was replaced by freshmen Peter Lalich and don’t be surprised if this becomes a permanent. Lalich finished the day 13/18 131 yards and one touchdown. Tight end Tom Santi had and good game and started living up to his pre-season All ACC hype with two touchdown catches and 54 reception yards. Duke’s only bright spot was quarterback Thaddeus Young who finished the day 14/30 for 130 yards and one touchdown and one interception.
NEXT WEEK: VIRGINIA at North Carolina; DUKE at Northwestern

NORTH CAROLINA 31 – EAST CAROLINA 34:
UNC suffered it first lost of the season to a much improved ECU team that proved its performance against Virginia Tech was no fluke. It seems that the Butch Davis era will not be scared to air it out, red shirt freshman T.J. Yates threw for 344 yards (20/32) and three touchdowns, one interception. There is no number one running back but Johnny White is the clear cut favorite to win this position battle as the season goes on. He catches the ball well out of the backfield and has true “halfback” speed. Watch him to get the majority of the carries. Freshman All-American Greg Little did not catch a pass but had one kickoff return. Another highly touted freshman, Marvin Austin is the real deal at defensive tackle, in on every play and is now demanding double teams. UNC’s turnovers kept ECU in this game. Butch Davis teams do not turn the ball over, and this will change immediately.
NEXT WEEK: VIRGINIA

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