Conference Roundup

Boston College … Boston College might not have needed to beat Miami for the ACC title, but ending the 15-game losing streak to the Canes, getting to ten wins, and going into the showdown against Virginia Tech on a high note is a major plus. There were too many turnovers, there can't be four against the Hokies, and there has to be better pass protection. The line is getting Matt Ryan killed lately, and that's going to be a big, big problem when facing Tech.
Clemson … Give Clemson credit for beating South Carolina by making the plays it didn't come up with against Boston College. The Tigers lost to the Eagles because Aaron Kelly dropped a pass and Mark Buchholtz missed a field goal. Against the Gamecocks, Kelly made a clutch catch to keep the final drive alive, and Buchholtz came through with the game-winner. For all the disappointments and all the fire Tommy Bowden is under at times, he won nine games, has a chance at a tenth in the bowl, and beat South Carolina. By almost all standards, that's not bad.
Duke … When you finish a season 1-11, it's mostly because you have major problems, but it's also because you don't know how to win games. Duke dominated North Carolina with a great defensive effort, an efficient offensive day, holding on to the ball for 36:23, but the three missed field goals and missed opportunities allowed the Tar Heels to pull it off. On the plus side, this is still a young team with decent building blocks to work around for next year.
Florida State … If you needed an indication of how wide the talent gap is between Florida State and the rest of the nation, witness the Florida debacle. The Seminoles weren't just beaten by a better team, they weren't even close the Gators did whatever they wanted to. Not getting any offense is one thing, that's been a continual issue for FSU, but for the defense to be gouged like it was against Tim Tebow and company means the program needs to go back to the drawing board.
Georgia Tech… After yet another loss to Georgia, and with a disappointing season that many felt should've ended with an ACC title, it'll be interesting to see what kind of a hot seat Chan Gailey is on. He has put together a nice program, but when you don't beat your arch-rival since 2000, alumni tend to get very, very cranky. Tashard Choice finished off his regular season like a warrior, but he didn't get any help from the passing game. Taylor Bennett shows just enough talent to suggest he could grow into a major player, but he's way, way too inconsistent and doesn't have an accurate enough arm at the moment.
Maryland … It might not have been an explosive Maryland attack against NC State, but the defense came through with a gem as it pitched a perfect game to get bowl eligible. The linebacking corps was swarming, while the offense was efficient and effective getting a nice, mistake-free day from QB Chris Turner. After all the problems this year, getting to a bowl, even if it's in Boise or San Francisco, will feel like Christmas.
Miami … Miami has to address the offense this offseason and make it the program's sole focus. Miami has too much talent at running back to be as bad as it was throughout the season, and it has to figure out who can play quarterback early on. For Miami to be this abysmal week in and week out is inexcusable. Losing six of the final seven games will put the Randy Shannon era on a quick early watch. Rebuilding is one thing, but this didn't feel like a rebuilding year. The Canes had better come out roaring in 2008.
North Carolina … The Tar Heels have lost games this year when they've played well, and now they've won one after playing like garbage. They had no right to pull off the win over Duke with so many mistakes and so many misfires from the passing game, but the defense did a great job of bending, but not breaking, while Greg Little ran extremely well to carry the offense. It's all about building for the future for the young team, and this win might turn out to be a huge stepping stone for next season. Winning ugly is still winning.
NC State … What the heck was that? After building all season long for a big finish with solid, efficient play, nice defense and just enough from the offense, the State attack went into the tank at the worst time possible. Maryland's defense stuffed the Pack running game from the start, and Daniel Evans, and later Harrison Beck, failed to get the offense moving despite completing plenty of passes. As crazy as this might sound, for the future of NC State football, this might have been a good thing. Going to a bowl would be nice, but motivation in the offseason for the young team in year two of the Tom O'Brien era won't be a problem. It might be a step back to potentially be a big leap forward.
Virginia … Virginia simply got outplayed by a better team. Virginia Tech's offense is playing extremely well and had all the parts working despite a good pass rush from the Cavalier defensive front. The offense moved a little bit, but wasn't consistent enough running the ball and didn't get any big pass plays to loosen things up. While not winning the Coastal will be disappointing, a nine-win season is nothing to dismiss considering the overall youth and the preseason injury issues in the receiving corps.
Virginia Tech … The offense is humming at just the right time. Tech won the Coastal Division title by cranking up the defense a few notches, but it was the offense that made the four week run to the rematch with Boston College relatively easy. The dual quarterback system appears to be working perfectly as Sean Glennon is throwing efficiently and effectively, while Tyrod Taylor doesn't have to carry the entire team on his shoulders. The confidence has to be sky-high going against the Eagles, and if the offense continues to be balanced and productive, it'll be hard to keep this team out of the BCS.
Wake Forest… While it might not have been a perfect all-around performance against Vanderbilt, the defense came up with five takeaways, the offense was balanced, and the Demon Deacons got their eighth win of the season. The running of Josh Adams helped keep control of the game, while Alphonso Smith and the defense kept Vandy from ever having hope early on. Holding the Commodores rushing attack to just 16 yards was impressive. Now it's off to a bowl game after proving that last year wasn't a fluke.

Past ACC Games of the Week
Sept. 1 - Boston College 38 ... Wake Forest 28
Sept. 8 - East Carolina 34 ... North Carolina 31
Sept. 15 - Duke 20 ... Northwestern 14
Sept. 22 - Wake Forest 31 ... Maryland 24 OT
Sept. 29 - Florida State 21 ... Alabama 14
Oct. 6 - Wake Forest 41 ... at Duke 36
Oct. 13 - Wake Forest 24 ... Florida State 21
Oct. 20 - Virginia 18 ... at Maryland 17
Oct. 27 - Boston College 14 ... at Virginia Tech 10
Nov. 3 - at Virginia 17 ... Wake Forest 16
Nov. 10 - at North Carolina State 31 ... North Carolina 27
Nov. 17 - Boston College 20 ... at Clemson 17
Nov. 24 - Clemson 23 ... at South Carolina 21

Past ACC Players of the Week
Sept. 1 - Boston College QB Matt Ryan
Sept. 8 - Clemson QB Cullen Harper
Sept. 15 - Boston College QB Matt Ryan
Sept. 22 - Clemson RBs James Davis & C.J. Spiller
Sept. 29 - Maryland RB Keon Lattimore
Oct. 6 - Virginia Tech LBs Vince Hall & Xavier Adibi
Oct. 13 - Georgia Tech RB Tashard Choice
Oct. 20 - Wake Forest WR Kenneth Moore
Oct. 27 - Boston College QB Matt Ryan
Nov. 3 - Florida State QB Drew Weatherford
Nov. 10 - NC State RB Jamelle Eugene & UNC LB Durrell Mapp
Nov. 17 - Boston College QB Matt Ryan
Nov. 24 - North Carolina RB Greg Little