ACC Weekend Recap

By Matthew Osborne
SouthernPigskin.com

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ACC teams were just 2-3 in non-conference contests this past weekend.

We are not quite into the heart of the ACC conference schedule, as league teams participated in five non-conference games this past Saturday.

Unfortunately for fans of the ACC, the conference was just 2-3 in those matchups.

Here is everything you need to know about this past weekend of ACC football.

Best Win: Miami (FL) 44, NC State 37

Considering the numerous off-field distractions and the small number of returning starters, not much was expected out of Al Golden’s Hurricanes this fall. With Saturday’s win over NC State, however, Miami now sits at 3-0 in ACC play, good for sole possession of first place in the Coastal Division.

Quarterback Stephen Morris has unexpectedly emerged as one of the premiere signal callers in the conference, throwing for an ACC single-game record 566 yards against a talented and experienced Wolfpack secondary.

The Hurricanes have not always won in the most glamorous fashion this season, but they have continued to find ways to emerge victorious.

Saturday’s contest was no different, as Miami intercepted a Mike Glennon pass with less than one minute remaining, setting up a dramatic 62-yard touchdown connection between Morris and Phillip Dorsett.

Miami’s defense still has a lot of room for improvement, but the Hurricanes certainly must be taken as legitimate ACC Coastal contenders given their propensity for winning close games.

Worst Loss: Middle Tennessee State 49, Georgia Tech 28

In almost an exact reversal of the Miami situation, Georgia Tech is a team that was projected to compete for the Coastal Division this season. Thus far, though, the Yellow Jackets have struggled to find a rhythm, particularly on the defensive side of the ball.

Saturday’s loss to Middle Tennessee State is undoubtedly the low-point of Paul Johnson’s tenure in Atlanta.

The Yellow Jackets were able to generate solid offensive production against the Blue Raiders, but were severely crippled by four costly turnovers. Meanwhile, the Georgia Tech defense gave up over 500 yards of total offense for a second consecutive week.

Allowing 500 yards to Miami is understandable, although not desirable. Giving up 500 yards to a team from the Sun Belt, however, is completely unacceptable.

The Al Groh experiment in Atlanta has been a complete and utter failure, and the Yellow Jacket defense is currently one of the worst in the conference.

For a team hoping to generate some positive momentum heading into the heart of the conference schedule, Saturday’s loss could deliver a crushing blow to their 2012 campaign.

Not the Same Virginia Tech

There is no doubt that Virginia Tech has been the premiere team in the ACC ever since joining the league back in 2005. Since that time, the Hokies have never failed to win ten or more games in any single season under the direction of long-time coach Frank Beamer.

Judging by the start of this season, though, it is painfully apparent that this is not the Virginia Tech program we have grown accustom to watching.

The Hokies have already lost two games this season, and came precariously close to dropping a third. Even worse for the Hokies, both of their losses have come against teams out of the Big East.

Returning just three starters on offense, it is not surprising that Virginia Tech’s offense has been a work in progress up to this point.

The more disconcerting facet of their game has unquestionably been Bud Foster’s usually vaunted defense.

Heading into the season, many pundits believed that this could be one of the greatest Virginia Tech defenses in history. Although the defense has not played terribly, it has allowed over 1,000 yards of combined offense in the Hokies’ two losses.

With their 3-2 start to the 2012 season, the Hokies now find themselves in very unfamiliar territory: outside of the top 25.

Still yet to face a tough ACC schedule which includes contests against nationally-ranked Clemson and Florida State, there is a very real possibility that Virginia Tech will not make it to double-digit wins this season.

Next Week’s Game of the Week: Miami at Notre Dame