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By B.J. Bennett
SouthernPigskin.com Senior Editor
SouthernPigskin.com Senior Editor looks back at the first half of the season in the ACC. Follow us on Twitter at Twitter.com/SouthernPigskin
Five Thoughts
1. Things have gotten really, really bad in Tallahassee - Maybe it's the coaching, maybe it's the players, maybe it's bad luck; maybe it's a mixture of all of those factors, but the Seminoles are 2-4 and are eyeing their first losing season since 1976. Florida State currently owns the longest bowl game streak in the nation, a remarkable run. They will have to win all but two of their final games to finish the regular season at .500. Yes FSU did crush 7th ranked BYU on the road, but they also barely got by FCS member Jacksonville State. This team has talent, see QB Christian Ponder, but hasn't been able to make a big play late in games. The losing is compounding on itself and furthering all of the problems that are in play here. You have to feel bad for Bobby Bowden, who this is obviously taking a toll on.
2. Virginia Tech is right in the mix for the national championship - Now they have a major test this weekend at Georgia Tech, but a victory will have the Hokies in very good shape near the top of the national polls. For all of the critics who claim the league can't produce a national championship candidate, Virginia Tech is ranked higher than Southern Cal and could be number three in the nation this weekend if they win and Oklahoma upsets Texas. A sub-category here; why isn't Ryan Williams being mentioned as a Heisman Trophy candidate? The freshman running back is the workhorse for the ACC's top team and currently ranks fifth in the nation in rushing with 734 yards and fourth in the nation with nine rushing touchdowns. He is averaging 5.8 yards per carry, more than Chris Wells of Ohio State did in 2008 and Darren McFadden of Arkansas did in 2007. Big-time playmaker for a championship caliber team? Check. Gaudy statistics? Check. What more can he do?
3. Can we finally give Randy Shannon some credit? - The Hurricaes have done a great job this season and, at 4-1, are ranked inside the national top ten in the AP poll. Miami has big wins over FSU, Oklahoma and Georgia Tech on their resume and are still in the mix in the ACC Coastal Division. Even if Virginia Tech wins out, the 'Canes could possibly get some BCS at-large attention. This team has grown up in a hurry and is loaded with talent on both sides of the football. Quarterback Jacory Harris is an extension of Shannon on the field; a calm, collected leader who gets the best out of those around him. The "U" is on the right track and is playing fantastic football.
4. The reactionary responses to the triple option are just funny - Every time Georgia Tech doesn't score 30 points or more, the media talks of how the triple option has been figured out, won't work at this level and is an outdated offensive scheme. Yawn. It's amazing how the media doesn't hold any other offensive style to their ridiculous standard. Here is the reality. Georgia Tech leads the ACC in total offense, is averaging over 33 points per game and is fourth nationally in rushing. In their last game, a road contest against FSU, the Yellow Jackets didn't punt once. Enough said. Let it go.
5. Going Coastal - The ACC Coastal Division is so much better than the ACC Atlantic Division at this point, it's almost like the major and minor leagues. Three ACC Coastal Division teams are ranked; Virginia Tech, Miami and Georgia Tech. Another, North Carolina, has been ranked. Only one ACC Atlantic team, Florida State, has been ranked this season and the Seminoles are 2-4. The Tar Heels would arguably be the favorite in the ACC Coastal Division. The two favorites from the pre-season, FSU and Clemson, both have losing records. One positive we can take from the first-half of the ACC season is not to underestimate Boston College. Those guys just win.
Biggest Surprise - Miami. Most in the league projected Miami would escape their brutal four game start to the season at 1-3 at best. The Hurricanes went 3-1. The 'Canes are ranked inside the national top ten and have looked like the Miami of old a few times this season. Randy Shannon, one of the good guys in college football, is doing a great job with this team.
Biggest Disappointment - Florida State. Who else? The Seminoles have been one of the most disappointing teams nationally. The losses have been close, but this team has limped out to a 2-4 halfway mark record and now must fight to avoid a disaster this season. The situation is an ugly one in Tallahassee, with living legend Bobby Bowden becoming the point of debate.
Five Things to Watch in the Second Half
1. Can Virginia Tech or Miami stay in the national title race?
2. Does Florida State quit on the season, or do they battle back and save face?
3. How does this Virginia team perform as Al Groh tries to save his job?
4. Who emerges out of a muddled, average-at-best ACC Atlantic Division?
5. What type of Clemson team do we see after a sluggish first half?
Midway Mark Awards
ACC Offensive Player of the Year - Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech
ACC Defensive Player of the Year - Derrick Morgan, Georgia Tech
ACC Rookie of the Year - Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech
ACC Coach of the Year - Frank Beamer, Virginia Tech
SouthernPigskin.com X-Factor Award: Riley Skinner, Wake Forest - Is just a step behind Williams right now for ACC Offensive Player of the Year honors. Is completing 70% of his passes for 1,694 yards and 15 touchdowns. Skinner is 7th in the nation in passing yards and second in passing touchdowns. He has made a number of big plays at big moments this season. He might be one of the most underrated signal callers in college football history.
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