September's Show Me Month is a nice introduction to the possibilities and limitations of the season... while teams can go on runs or collapses pretty much what you see in the first month is what you're going to have-- the caveat being scheduling. Maryland, Virginia and Virginia Tech have all faced varying forms of opponents which have set the floor (for the Hokies) and the ceiling (for the Terps)... with the well-placed September bye keeping the Cavaliers somewhere in the land of limbo. Only because we're going to learn so much from their upcoming game with VMI (definitely not TMI).
Alma Mater Update-- Syracuse's road to redemption continued with a 38-14 come from behind beatdown of Maine. Yes, one knows the Black Bears are not the Golden Bears or even the Black Knights but after the Greg Robinson era one takes victory where one can. Especially when toggling between the Public Bar and their 8(!) TVs on each side of the bar and the Sign of the Whale-- who after last May's Lacrosse Tournament controversy, has chicken wings back in stock. Colgate, you are next.
Maryland bounced back from a bad first half to make things respectable, but still lost 31-17 at #21 West Virginia. Shades of their trip to Morgantown four years ago when they fell behind big early but actually "won" the second half in a 45-24 loss. Terrapin Triumphs-- for the first time all year Torrey Smith was a factor... notching 3 catches for 149 yards and two touchdowns after 47 yards receiving over the first two weeks. The defense intercepted a pass and tallied a pair of fumble recoveries. Terrapin Troubles-- minus ten yards rushing... the offense converted just 2 for 13 third downs... defensively they allowed the Mountaineers to move the chains on 11 of 18 third downs while coughing up 489 total yards... ten penalties for 77 yards reminded one of last years flag-fest. Next up-- Saturday against Florida International.
How 'bout that ACC? The league is 19-12 to start the season-- and the Coastal is a troubling 6-9. The season-long struggle with the Big East for Pete Best status continues.
Virginia Tech avoided an 0-3 start... but the Hokies kept the Blacksburg faithful in suspense by trailing the visiting Pirates at halftime before blowing out the East Carolina 49-27. Far from a disaster, the 2010 season still has an ACC Title in the sights of Frank Beamer's team. Hokie Highlights-- they dominated 28-3 after intermission... the running game tallied 249 yards behind the backfield combo of Darren Evans and David Wilson (it was Ryan Williams' turn to have a hurt hamstring-- where does this program get the seemingly endless supply of quality backs from?)... 79 return yards brings back Beamer Ball... Hokie Humblings-- slow starts has hurt this team in three straight weeks... and ACC play won't be as forgiving. Next Up-- Saturday at Boston College.
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