Moving month always wraps up with an "oh, yeah" moment... by this time schools have played seven or eight games, so the September snapshot is replaced by a more accurate portrait of how good or bad a team might be. This also means the revealing of frauds who build gaudy records routing I-AA schools before having their heads handed to them by like competition. (ahem, Texas). And while Florida State and Virginia Tech appear to be on a collision course for the championship, there's a rare balance between the Atlantic (schools are a combined 11-11) and Coastal (12-12) divisions.
Alma Mater Update-- Syracuse remains in Big East contention with 19-14 win at West Virginia... easily the best win for the program since a November 2008 victory over Notre Dame (and even that was tempered by the fact my college roommate broke my glasses while giving me a high five). The defense pitched a shutout for the final three quarters and picked off Geno Smith three times... while backup runningback Antwon Bailey stepped up nicely when Delone Carter left with a hip injury in the second quarter. More importantly, the Whale Nachos at Sign of the Whale in DC were rather money.
Maryland won on the road for the first time since September 2008...jumping out to a two-touchdown first half lead before holding on for dear life at Boston College 24-21. Instead of wondering how they'll get to six wins and bowl eligibility, coach Ralph Friedgen's team has a division race to occupy themselves with. Terrapin Triumphs-- three takeaways and no giveaways... the team owned third down; the offense converting 10 of 19 attempts while the defense held BC to 6 of 15 success. Terrapin Troubles-- 7 penalties is something they'll focus on this week... and although BC has the best run defense in the league, 43 yards on 33 carries is far from ideal. Next up-- Saturday against Wake Forest.
Virginia started slowly against Eastern Michigan before turning a 17-14 halftime lead into a 48-21 rout of the Eagles. New to Kippy and Buffy's tailgate: a nice Malbec with sharp cheddar. Cavalier Congrats-- way to dominate the second half (31-7) after a sluggish start. Marc Verica threw two touchdown passes with no interceptions. UVa used the big play in the second half-- scoring on a 70 yard kickoff return and a 56 yard pass... only 3 penalties for 20 yards. Cavalier Catastrophes-- 290 yards allowed on the ground... and a so-so first half
won't help them during their final five game ACC stretch. Next up-- Saturday against Miami.
Virginia Tech surprised-- no I dare say shocked-- everyone in Blacksburg by doing what they hadn't done all year... pitching a first quarter shutout against Duke en route to a 44-7 drubbing of the Blue Devils... as VT is playing the best football in the ACC. Hokie Highlights-- nice to see a knockout punch in the first half... Tyrod Taylor threw for 280 yards and three touchdowns... the defense held Sean Renfree to 12 of 32 passing and the Blue Devils running game to 92 yards... special teams (BEAMER BALL!) boasted a 61 yard punt return by Jayron Hosely and held Duke to -1 on their punt returns. Hokie Humblings--
up 37-7 late in the third quarter you're going to keep Tyrod Taylor in there? Do not tempt injury in the latter stages of a rout... I'd rather see Taylor in a baseball cap on the sidelines this week than see him with crutches on the sidelines next week. Next up-- Thursday November 4th against Georgia Tech.
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