CFI: THE ACC REPORT

BY CHRISTOPHER J. KRESGE
ACC COASTAL INSIDER

MIAMI 27 - UNC 33
This game was indicative of two teams going in complete opposite directions. The Butch Davis regime is starting to take form as the young Tar Heels, a roster that has 42 freshmen on it, played hard and focused shutting down a Miami team that looked lost and disinterested for at least the first half of the game. Coach Randy Shannon kept saying in his post game presser that the players still have the mentality instilled in them from the last coaching staff at Miami. Weren’t you the Defensive Coordinator from that last coaching staff Coach Shannon? Let me speak for Coach Shannon and let you know how bad the Canes are without making excuses. The defensive secondary not only does not cover man-on-man well, but do not make any big play tackles, and most of the time give a lackluster effort by trying to arm tackle opponents. In addition, when your strong safety, Kenny Phillips, leads your team in tackles, there are major breakdowns on your defensive line and linebackers. UNC’s team is starting to mature anDavis is making his mark in the Carolinas. Anthony Elzy ran for 95 yards and one touchdown and sophomore Hakeem Nicks had five catches for 76 yards. The ‘Canes have plenty of talent on this team, but it will be interesting to see if the coaching staff can get them going in the right direction because their season can get real ugly with future road games against Virginia Tech, Florida State and Boston College.
NEXT WEEK: Miami vs. Georgia Tech
NEXT WEEK: UNC vs. University of South Carolina

VIRGINIA TECH 41 – CLEMSON 23
Two words best describe this game, Beamer Ball. An interception returned for a touchdown, a returned punt for a touchdown and a return kickoff for a touchdown. Two more words best describe the state of Clemson football, Fire Bowden. Tommy Bowden is in his ninth season as head coach and it is a lot of the same, mediocre, inconsistent play and the biggest one, no championships -- ACC or BCS. The Clemson’s fan base have had enough of this and anything short of a BCS bowl bid, this will be Bowden’s last year in Tiger Town. Defensively, Clemson is playing at a very high level and they were able to contain freshman quarterback Tyrod Taylor for most of the game. Branden Ore is without a doubt a step slower this year and linebacker Vince Hall broke his wrist. As for Clemson’s “Thunder and Lightning” combo of C.J. Spiller and James Davis -- they were non-existent. The main reason is that opposing teams are stacking eight men in a box, daring Clemson to beat you with the pass. Which Cullen Harper has been doing a good job of, but again, the multitude of special team mistakes and turnovers are too much too overcome. Maybe Coach Beamer will share some tips on special teams play with Bowden before he gets fired.
NEXT WEEK: Clemson – Bye Week
NEXT WEEK: Virginia Tech vs. Duke

GEORGIA TECH 26 – MARYLAND 28
Fans that came out to watch the top two rushing offenses collide in College Park were treated instead to an air attack. The two teams combined for 550 passing yards compared to only 263 rushing yards. Maryland’s combination of Lance Ball and Kenny Lattimore, Ray Lewis’s half brother, is both punishing and efficient. Tashard Choice returned to form by rushing for 135 yards and one touchdown. It is going to be very interesting to see how both teams fair the second half of the season in the ACC. Maryland is starting to gain momentum while Georgia Tech is still trying to figure it out.
NEXT WEEK: Georgia Tech vs. Miami
NEXT WEEK: Maryland Bye Week

DUKE 36 – WAKE FOREST 41
Good news for Duke fans is quarterback Thaddeus Lewis continued lighting up ACC defenses and threw for 291 yards and four touchdowns against Wake Forest. Lewis continued to find his favorite target, Eron Riley, who caught two touchdown passes and totaled 143 yards. Bad news for Duke fans, their defense still cannot stop anyone. Wake is good team, but 41 points? My bold prediction for this year is that Duke will win an ACC game this year. I am not ready to predict the week, but any team that can consistently put up this many points a game will get a big W this year.
NEXT WEEK: Duke vs. Virginia Tech
NEXT WEEK: Wake Forest vs. FSU

VIRGINIA 23 – MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE 21
News flash for UVA…HAVE YOU SEEN ALL THE UPSETS THIS YEAR IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL? Once again this year we almost saw a nationally recognized program fall to a lesser known mid major. There are officially no off weeks now in Division I college football. UVA is starting to resemble Wake’s football team last year. They are very underrated, have a solid defense, which is lead by All-American Chris Long, and a productive, but not flashy offense. They showed that they have depth at running back as both Keith Payne and Andrew Pearman stepped up in the absence of Cedric Peerman who left with an injury. Tight end Tom Santi continues to put up good numbers; he blocks well and has soft hands. Santi is a good NFL prospect.
NEXT WEEK: Virginia vs. Connecticut

Photo Credit: University of Miami Sports Media Relations Office