Halloween wraps up the month of October with people masquerading as someone else. Area schools may have tried to make us think they're something else in September-- but after 4 or 5 more games the snapshot becomes a portrait. While some enjoy a bagful of candy-- others are stuck with a rock.
Alma Mater Update-- thanks, SU for once again killing whatever football buzz that was built in a win over West Virginia by playing poorly in a 27-10 loss to Louisville. Four games remain for the 5-3 Orange to reach the magical 6 victory plateau and assure another low to mid-level bowl game. I'm just getting excited about which banner they'll unveil next year!
Conference Calamities-- the ACC lost its last unbeaten when Clemson collapsed in the October night... meaning no National Championship talk again in November for a league that swiped three football schools from the Big East a decade ago. While the Atlantic Division is down to a three team race (with Clemson currently holding all of the cards)... every team remains in contention in the Coastal (albeit a few by the skin of their teeth). While the Coastal barely has the better league record (15-14 to 15-16), the gap widens for all games: 33-18 to 26-23. And that's with Duke in their membership.
Maryland (2-6) fell behind early against Boston College, and despite a late rally came up short 28-17. Where the team began October hoping to right the ship after a surprise loss to Temple, they begin November needing to win four straight games against teams that are a combined 19-13 to qualify for postseason play. Terrapin Triumphs-- Davin Meggett rushed for 99 yards, and the team finished with just 3 penalties. Terrapin Troubles-- four takeaways resulting in zero points...372 yards allowed on the ground... multiple drops ending drives. Next up: Saturday against Virginia.
#15 Virginia Tech (8-1) started slowly against Duke with an interception in the endzone... before bouncing back to post a 14-10 victory over the Blue Devils. Style points taking the week off. Hokie Highlights-- 148 yards rushing by David Wilson... four takeaways by the defense... and holding the Blue Devils to 4 of 16 on third down. Hokie Humblings-- VT had problems moving the chains as well, converting just 5 of 14... nine (9! IX!) penalties... and thank goodness Duke couldn't kick straight (2 missed field goals in second quarter) or they would have trailed at intermission. Next Up: Thursday November 10th against Georgia Tech.
Virginia (5-3) all of a sudden is in the postseason conversation after a 28-21 win at Miami. The Cavaliers aren't supposed to win those games, weren't they informed? And UVa can take the Coastal Division if they win out. Easier said than done: after Maryland and Duke (5-11 composite record), coach Mike London's team takes on Florida State and Virginia Tech (combined 13-4 mark). For the record, Kippy and Buffy enjoyed a bottle of Colores Del Sol Malbec while feasting on multi-grain Rice Thins. And both collars were popped at all times. Cavalier Congrats-- a running game that pounded out 207 yards at 4.7 a clip... a defense that held the Hurricanes to 2 of 9 on third down... no turnovers and just three penalties. Cavalier Concerns-- moving the chains just 6 of 15 times... allowing over 70% completions and 347 passing yards... losing the kickoff return war by about 15 net yards per kick. Next Up: Saturday at Maryland.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment