They've been around for 20 years... but divisional play remains a fairly new animal in the college football kingdom. Some conferences do it right... and others need help dividing their schools into halves that make sense. The SEC and Big XII (when it had 12 schools) set the standard by splitting up east-west and north-south; unfortunately the ACC decided to name its divisions "Atlantic" and "Coastal" and instead of splitting north-south went with a hodge-podge. With Pitt and Syracuse joining the league, a north-south alignment should have the two new schools with Boston College, Maryland, Virginia, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest in the north: and everybody else in the south (splitting up the Carolina schools but keeping the research triangle intact). But it could be worse: The Big Ten begins its first season of divisional play with the "Leaders" and "Legends" Divisions, both of which sound "Lackluster".
Alma Mater Update-- Syracuse continues its reign as Division I's paper tiger with an off week... preparing for next weekend's Friday night clash with nationally ranked West Virginia. If there was ill will from Rutgers regarding SU's departure to the ACC-- just wait: the Mountaineers have been spurned by the SEC and ACC... although we don't know if they've tried to go Big Ten. And on the divisional thing... at least the ACC named its divisions-- for a while the Big East went with "Big East 7" and "Big East 6". Although unlike the Big Ten, the number actually matched the membership.
Maryland entertains #8 Clemson. For some reason over the years the Terps always play the Tigers tough-- even in their 2-10 season Maryland's one league victory came against the Atlantic Division Champion Tigers. Last year the despite dominating the stats Maryland was mauled 31-7. This week the buzz around College Park is all about a quarterback question: Danny O'Brien's the better passer but has been shaky this fall (6 interceptions after being picked off just 8 times in 2010)... while CJ Brown can motor (77 yard touchdown run sparked a second half rally against Georgia Tech) he isn't the best pure passer (41% this fall). They say if you have two starting quarterbacks, you have no starting quarterback. Terrapins tumble, 31-16.
Virginia hosts #12 Georgia Tech. The Yellowjackets triple-option was slowed down in the second half last week by Maryland... and one can be sure the Cavalier coaches have looked at that gamefilm early and often this past week. Do the Cavs have a Joe Vellano though to make 20 tackles? Meanwhile the offense that staggered to 14 regulation points against Idaho doesn't will have problems producing against a Georgia Tech defense that held Maryland to 6 of 24 passing. At least Kippy and Buffy are back at Scott Stadium after closing the Hilton Head cottage last weekend. Cavaliers crumble, 34-14.
#19 Virginia Tech visits Wake Forest. While the Hokies have staggered to a 1-1 ACC mark the Demon Deacons are 3-0 in league play. But like everything Wake's strong start comes with a few caveats: 1--they blew a double digit lead and lost to Syracuse... the Orange being the Paper Tiger of Paper Tigers this fall. 2-- three conference wins by a total of 20 points come against three schools that are a combined 0-7 in the ACC. Logan Thomas played out of his mind against Miami-- was that an aberration or the beginning of something special? Wake's a team that has trouble running the ball... and that might let the Hokie D tee up on WF QB Tanner Price. This has the feel of one of those grinding games where BEAMER BALL! generates the necessary winning points. Hokies hang on, 24-21.
Navy sinks at Rutgers, Georgetown handles Howard, James Madison tops Villanova, William & Mary falls to New Hampshire.
Last Week: 5-3.
Overall: 31-16.
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