I've been perplexed quite frankly that a team that is 3-11 in its last 14 ACC games against opposition not called Duke is now being touted by many in the media as favorites to win the ACC. This is bordering on laughable. The fact that this comes on the heels of the Canes scoring a single field goal against a defense that was torched by Michigan the last time we saw them makes the conversation beyond laughable: it makes it almost certifiable.
I sincerely hope I am wrong when I say this but I seriously doubt Miami will be able to win either of its first two games in the ACC. These matchups against North Carolina and Florida State feature teams with superior talent to Miami and also more veteran contributors. When you consider Miami's other two ACC home games are against Wake Forest and Virginia Tech you realize despite the national media's desire to bash the ACC, Miami is still staring down the barrel of a gun. Miami's secondary is still a concern and three of the four teams I mention (VT being the exception) have exceptional wide receivers and solid quarterback play.
Miami has not won what I would consider a true road game since a 47-17 win at Wake in 2005. The lone win in 2006 came against Duke, and in 2007 Miami won in Tallahassee against Florida State. Since Miami actually has a higher winning percentage in Tallahassee against the Noles than the Canes do in Miami and FSU home games tend to be in this day and age dominated by opposing fans voices (this was obviously not the case when FSU went 54 straight home games undefeated in between losses to Miami in 1991 and 2001) and Miami fans always seem to travel in mass to FSU, this "road" victory deserves an asterisk. Miami last won a non conference game against a BCS league opponent not named Florida State in 2002 when the Canes crushed Tennessee in Knoxville.
Miami's road schedule is less daunting despite what I have detailed above. Miami needs to win at least three of it four games away from home (@ Duke, @ GT, @ NC State and @ Virginia) to even ensure a bowl birth. In other words, winning the ACC while a nice lofty goal for a team who has freshman seemingly starting at every key position it is simply not realistic for this year. Now in 2009, it's very realistic as Miami's boys grow into men.
ACC Power Rankings
1- Florida State
2- Wake Forest
3- North Carolina
4- Georgia Tech
5- Virginia Tech
6- Clemson
7- Boston College
8- Duke
9- Virginia
10- NC State
11- Miami
12- Maryland
Some notes:
- Christian Ponder and D'Vontry Richardson were both impressive for FSU at QB. I guess the plug is now officially pulled on Drew Weatherford
- Wake Forest struggled with Jevan Snead and Ole Miss. Cause for concern? Nah. Wake struggled with Duke the exact same weekend two years ago at home needing to block a FG to win. Wake then won the ACC while Duke didn't win another game all year. Wake lives on the edge but with two Jacksonville products, Riley Skinner and Sam Swank playing key roles, they never seem like they are chasing games even when behind.
- North Carolina crushed Rutgers but keep in mind Maryland beat Rutgers easily last year in New Jersey before struggling in ACC play.
- Boston College showed that without good athletes on defense stopping the option of Paul Johnson's Yellow Jacket team isn't going to be easy.
- Virginia Tech-Georgia Tech and Wake Forest-Florida State are in the next two weeks. It is possible that both matchups will determine who represents their respective divisions in the ACC title game.
Posts
4 comments:
I guess we are in for another season of the florida state is so good talk from you. Other than that you write well and generally make points that are on the money. You have been sadly right about Miami's decline for years now but with regards to FSU you've been wrong each and every year so perhaps you should just focus on what you know, miami and not what you have no clue about, fsu.
I'm really not worried about our offense. Not yet anyway. Only time will tell. I do believe that our coaches are doing the right thing with easing two young quarterbacks into the system. Had Nix forced Marve and Harris to throw much more at UF, errors where a possibility. That is not good to build confidence in your new quarterbacks. From the sounds of things, the players were upbeat at practice this week. That is a good sign.
GO CANES!!!
I get that we are 1-6 in our last 7 acc games and that we are 1-7 in our last 8 games against ia teams. okay so 11th does not bother me.
but the 1 was against fsu! how can you have them at the top?
The ACC may be weak but the fact that the team hasn't won it since joining the ACC has been embarrassing. We should have owned the conference from day one. Why would this year be any different?
Clemson, IMHO is still the team to beat. FSU won't even be close.
Post a Comment