CFI: THE ACC MID-SEASON REPORT

BY ARTHUS DiCESARE
ACC INSIDER

The ACC has been up and down with no team other than Boston College establishing themselves as a consistent team. The Eagles, who currently sit in third place in the BCS standings has been great on both sides of the ball, while traditional powers like Miami and Florida State have continued to struggle both due in large part to new coaching changes that have altered each program. The ‘Noles under new offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher have had their inconsistencies at the quarterback position and on the offensive line -- issues that proceeded his arrival. While ‘Canes with new head coach Randy Shannon, who has tried to install his philosophy and winning ways at “The U”, has had some bums in the road most notably a road loss at North Carolina. Both Georgia Tech and Clemson, who were suppose to contend in their divisions, have also been disappointing leaving both sitting in third place.

Surprise Team- Virginia: The Cavaliers who started the season with a loss to Wyoming have rallied to win six straight games. Al Groh who always seems to be on the hot seat in Charlottesville has finally brought his NFL background and defensive strategy to the table. Virginia has already won as many games as they did last year, and sit tied atop the Coastal standings. Virginia has very winnable games remaining on their schedule and might have a Coastal showdown the last week of the season at home against Virginia Tech.

Disappointing Team- Clemson: The Tigers started the season with a big win over Florida State and rolled to 4-0 have, but have since dropped two straight games, the last an embarrassing home loss to Virginia Teach. Clemson, who not only has the most talented backfield in the ACC and possibly the country, has had two terrible offensive weeks in a row. With a young and very raw defense, Clemson has to lean on their offense to produce for them. Death Valley is still waiting for Tommy Bowden to bring it all together one of these seasons.

Offensive MVP- Matt Ryan QB Boston College: This is a no brainier -- Matt Ryan is hands-down the best and most important player on the offensive side of the ball in the ACC. He has lead BC to a 7-0 record and the highest ranking in school history. Ryan is on pace to throw for 3600 yards and 30 touchdowns and should BC continue to win, Ryan can book his flight to New York for a shot to win the Heisman Trophy.

Defensive MVP- Xavier Adibi LB Virginia Tech: This race is much closer with deserving candidates like Virginia’s Chris Long and Boston College’s Dejaun Tribble. My vote goes to Virginia Tech linebacker Xavier Adibi. Adibi is the catalyst of the top-scoring defense in the ACC. Not to mention he is their leading tackler and is the spark plug -- a true emotional leader of the Hookies defense. Adibi is also a semifinalist for the Butkus Award given to the nations top linebacker.

Top Newcomer- Tyrod Taylor QB Virginia Tech: Tyrod Taylor the true freshmen who replaced Sean Gleadon in week three is 5-0 as a starter. He has Tech tied in first place and has the team poised to make another ACC title game appearance in Jacksonville. With his growth at the quarterback position getting better week in a week out, look forward to watching Taylor in the upcoming years -- he has the physical ability to become a serious duel threat and possible Heisman candidate down the road.

Prediction- I see the teams in both the Atlantic and Coastal divisions staying were they are and that would set up a match-up between Boston College and Virginia Tech December 1st in Jacksonville.

CFI: VIRGINIA TECH PLAYS "SPECIAL” FOOTBALL

BY ARTHUR DiCESARE
ACC INSIDER

It was your typical Virginia Tech performance another big road victory over a ranked opponent. Virginia Tech’s dominating 41-23 win over Clemson was highlighted by “Beamer Ball” -- an interception for a touchdown, a kickoff for a touchdown, and a punt for a touchdown. Tech started the game off with a 32-yard interception for a touchdown by senior D.J. Parker. Up 10-0, the electrifying Eddie Royal, who had done nothing so far this year took a punt back 82 yards for a touchdown and quickly Virginia Tech had a 17-0 first quarter lead, which had the Death Valley crowd of over 82,000 silent. Royal almost upped the lead to 24 a series later when he had another punt return for a touchdown called back for an illegal block. Macho Harris returned a kickoff 100 yards following Clemson's first score completely taking the bite out of the Tigers.

Frank Beamer has built his brilliant special teams play over his 21-year career at Virginia Tech where they have by far had the best special teams in the country scoring 63 non-offensive touchdowns since 1999 the most in that span. This was the first time in Beamer’s career that his team returned a punt and a kick for touchdowns in the same game.

Tech’s defense was equally as strong lead by senior linebackers Xavier Adibi and Vince Hall who were all over the field exhibiting their skills against a high-powered offensive unit. The Hokies held Clemson’s Thunder & Lightning tandem of C.J. Spiller and James Davis to 12 yards on 12 carries. The ground game was so infective that Clemson quarterback Cullen Harper had to throw 66 passes.

It was a dominating performance all around. Tech finally started to see the raw potential of true freshman Tyrod Taylor, although he only threw for 65 yards with one touchdown he rushed for 118 yards and picked up numerous first downs. More importantly, Taylor had zero turnovers and showed the smarts to take sacks and throw the ball out of bounds instead of forcing turnovers. Taylor a Hampton, Virginia native, an area that has also produced the Vick brothers and their cousin Aaron Brooks looks to be the next in the long line of duel threat quarterbacks. When all is said an done he could become the most successful of all these quarterbacks because of his maturity and ability to play within the game and not try to force or make plays that are simply not there, although Michael Vick’s standard is high, if only in Blacksburg.

Virginia Tech looks to have bounced back after their embarrassing defeat three weeks ago 48-7 at LSU. With the ACC wide open this season -- Virginia Tech has positioned themselves right at the top of the Costal standings. If the Hokies can continue to play “Beamer Bowl” and have Taylor continue to grow at quarterback Virginia Tech could be a tough team to deal with in the upcoming weeks, especially with the “special” brand of football that they play.

NFL DRAFT BIBLE: MOVERS & SHAKERS: STOCK RISING

BY RICK SERRITELLA
NFL DRAFT BIBLE FOUNDER


In what has been labeled as a weak ‘08 tight end class, Purdue tight end Dustin Keller (6’4, 240) has certainly catapulted to the top of the charts. The Boilermakers playmaker now has at least one touchdown in four of their first five games. On the season, Keller has 319 yards to go along with his five touchdowns.

Linebacker Xavier Adibi set up a touchdown drive with an interception and long return to help No. 17 Virginia Tech win their third straight game, 17-10, against North Carolina on Saturday. The Hokies have one of the toughest remaining schedules in all of college football and Adibi is in prime position to boost his draft stock if he is able to finish up with a strong performance over the second half of the season.

Linebacker Bo Ruud returned an interception 93 yards for a touchdown to break open the game as No. 25 Nebraska went on to a 35-17 win over Iowa State on Saturday. Ruud made the defensive play of the game after the Cyclones moved from their own 36 to the Nebraska 9 in the third quarter. The previous week, Ruud's 34-yard interception return keyed the Huskers' fourth-quarter comeback over Ball State. Standing in at 6’3 and 235-pounds, Ruud has the potential to position himself as a first round pick.