And now that we get another free Saturday to sit back and watch the rest of the country battle it out, let's take a look at what the ACC has in store for us this week. While there are technically only four teams left who can contended for a spot in Charlotte, and possibly only three after today, these are the weeks we'll see who has the pride to compete for a better bowl game.
Once again, the games will be broken up into probable blow outs, potential upset alerts, and games too close to call.
Gimme Games
Notre Dame over Maryland
Upset Watch
Clemson over Wake Forest
NC State over Boston College
50/50 Games
FSU over Miami
UVA over Duke
VT over GT
While I try to watch every ACC game I can, I can probably skip the Terps this week. Notre Dame isn't to the elite level most of their fan base and Lou Holtz always believe they are, but Maryland couldn't beat themselves in a scrimmage right now. Since there isn't much I can say interesting about the actual game, I'll take this time to say congrats to Frank Beamer on his tying and eventual passing of Lou Holtz on the all-time wins list. I doubt The Frankinator will go into broadcasting when he retires, but at least we would understand what he was saying if he did.
The only game this week that has any bearing on who goes to the ACCCG will be the Atlantic Division matchup between the Deacs and Tigers. If Clemson wins they secure their spot in Charlotte, while the Deacs could put themselves in a great position if they can pull of the epic upset. Wake Forest has shown they can take down a team with superior talent when they beat FSU earlier this year, but Clemson will be looking to avenge their only loss of the season. Say what you will about Dabo, and I agree I don't think he is one of the elite coaches in D-1 ball, but he'll at least make sure his players head are on straight.
And the award for the conference game with least appeal outside their fanbases goes to the Pack and Eagles. First off I don't think Boston College actually has enough fans to make up a whole base of them, and NCSU still hasn't figured out that they're the little brother of the Triangle that nobody notices unless they're playing one of their big bros. State gets bowl eligible with the win, and should barring a turnover and penalty plagued game.
I'll be honest about something. We've been used to seeing the college football season start with the Sunshine State rivalry (is there an actual name for this game? I mean besides Wide Right?), and since that wasn't the case this year, and since once again neither team can win their division, I completely forgot this game was being played. Both teams annually get two of the top recruiting classes nationally, so this game could be an amazing watch if they both show up for bragging rights. FSU gets the slight edge from me in talent, and a much bigger edge in terms of team mentality. I'm not sure what it will take for Miami diehards and players to realize that swagger left town once Ohio State walked away with the crystal ball, but losing to UVA two seasons in a row should have been the final slap in the face to knock them back to reality.
I realized as I started to talk about this last game that earlier I said there was only one game determining who goes to Charlotte. Then I remembered UVA is still technically in it. I could have gone back and edited my previous paragraph, but UVA is only in it based on a world of math and not reality. Duke has been the biggest thorn in the Cavs' side the past few seasons, and another loss to them would all but put the finishing move on their divisonal championship dreams. Of course I have picked UVA to win this game if you paid attention earlier, but that was just playing the odds. The truth is I see UVA winning this game, their fans getting hyped about FINALLY beating the Devils, and then FSU just kicking the sh*t out of them next weekend. It is impressive what UVA has done this year, but only based on what the expectations were.
H-O-K-I-E-S HOKIES!!!
Follow along on Twitter @UtProsimGobbler
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