NCAA Football FanHouse

ACC Notebook: Bowden Still Boss

Jim Henry — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Clemson, Duke Football, Florida State, Georgia Tech, UNC, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, ACC

It's becoming clear that Florida State's Bobby Bowden, who turn 80 on Sunday, wants to coach the Seminoles in 2010.

The feisty Bowden has tipped his hand many times since coming under fire from high-level boosters, fans and the media following a 2-4 start.

Consecutive victories over North Carolina and North Carolina State have helped quiet restless critics -- and a victory Saturday at Clemson would vault FSU into second place in the ACC Atlantic Division -- and Bowden said Wednesday he will make the final call on who replaces retiring Mickey Andrews as defensive coordinator.

However, Bowden also stressed that head coach-in-waiting Jimbo Fisher will make a strong contribution to the process, so don't expect a disagreement conspiracy between the pair.

"I think [Fisher] definitely has to have a say-so because he's the future here. You know it?" Bowden said. "And it's one of those things I'll make the final decision on. But I'll definitely get his input, and very strongly."

Fisher is scheduled to become the next FSU coach no later than Jan. 1, 2011. If he is not, his contract calls for him to be paid $5 million.

Florida State president T.K. Wetherell said in a statement last month that Bowden's status will be evaluated after the season, and the university would have no comment until then.

In his weekly conference on the Monday with the media, including FanHouse, Fisher said that he anticipates a smooth process with Bowden in hiring the defensive coordinator. Andrews had indicated prior to the season, his 26th at FSU, that this would be his last. He made it official on Wednesday.

Fisher said he keeps a working list of prospects for all position coaches. A timetable has not been set for naming a new defensive coordinator.

"I'm glad to have the input on what we're going to do in the future and what we want to do," Fisher said. "[There] are some outstanding guys [that] will be out there, I'm sure. This is a great job. That's why I don't want to go anywhere.

"I love it here."

FSU fans, however, appear to need coaxing to rally behind their team.

In last Saturday's homecoming game against N.C. State, the Seminoles played before their smallest crowd since 1993. A noon game on Halloween combined with rainy weather, a slow economy and the team's poor performance this season added up to just 67,712 tickets sold in a stadium that seats 82,300.

Quite frankly, judging by the huge pockets of empty seats, it's also unlikely that all ticket holders attended. The athletic department lost out on more than $700,000 in potential ticket revenue, according to school officials.

The Seminoles, who haven't beaten Clemson in Memorial Stadium since 2001, have remaining games at Wake Forest, home against Maryland and at top-ranked Florida.

"We can only take care of what we can take care of, and that's who we play," Bowden said. "This ballgame coming up is the biggest one. However, if you win it, the next one becomes the biggest one."

Stop the Bleeding

Virginia Tech is looking to avoid its first three-game losing streak since 2003 when the Hokies travel to East Carolina Thursday night. Tech head coach Frank Beamer has had only two three-game losing streaks during the Hokies' 16-year bowl run (1997, 2003).

A victory on ESPN would make Tech bowl eligible for the 17th-straight season.

How the Hokies rebound from consecutive defeats to Georgia Tech and North Carolina last Thursday will rely in large part on what their defense can do to reverse a recent trend of poor play on third down, when opponents have converted 18-of-34 the last two games.

"There hasn't been a game this season that we haven't played hard, but sometimes we have to play better and more consistent," Beamer said. "These guys care and we are going to move forward with that in mind."

Epic Battle

Duke and North Carolina meet on Saturday in what normally translates into an epic battle on the basketball court. But we're talking football at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C

Don't be fooled. This is a huge game for the Blue Devils, who will become bowl eligible for the first time since 1994 with a victory. Duke is also looking for its first victory over UNC, which is coming off an emotional and dramatic win at Virginia Tech, since 2003 and just its second since 1989.

Duke quarterback Thaddeus Lewis has posted four consecutive 300-yard passing games. UNC coach Butch Davis went as far as to compare the Blue Devils offense to that of the Indianapolis Colts.

"After I saw [those comments], I called (Colts President) Bill Polian and asked if I could borrow his five offensive linemen," Duke coach David Cutcliffe laughed.

He turned me down."

Unlucky Deacs

Just 4-5 overall with a 2-3 ACC record entering Saturday's conference showdown against host Georgia Tech at Bobby Dodd Stadium, Wake Forest has nearly run out of wiggle room. The Deacs need two wins in their remaining three games to become bowl eligible.

Four of Wake Forest's five losses have been decided by a combined 10 points. Making matters worse, senior quarterback Riley Skinner, who suffered a concussion in last Saturday's defeat against Miami, has been listed as questionable for this week's game.

Skinner is just one of three quarterbacks in ACC history to throw for 2,000 or more yards in each of his four seasons. That list also includes N.C. State's Philip Rivers and Duke's Thaddeus Lewis, who reached that milestone last Saturday.

"We're capable of winning," Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe said.

"That's the thing that we know. We've got to have things go right and not much has gone right for this football team. Unfortunately these guys have had some really bad breaks along the way. Obviously we've had some plays we could have made that would have made the difference without needing a break. But this is just about the most unlucky football team I've coached."

After watching film of Wake Forest's games this season, Tech head coach Paul Johnson agrees with Grobe.

"I think a lot of [their troubles] can be attributed to just bad luck," Johnson said.

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State Rep. Barry Mask, R-Wetumpka, made history 30 years ago when he became Auburn University's first "Aubie" mascot. He holds a photo Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009, of the way he looked in 1979 when he made his debut in his "Aubie" costume. (AP Photo/Montgomery Advertiser, Alvin Benn)

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Oklahoma State football offensive coordinator Gunter Brewer is seen in Stillwater, Okla., Monday, Nov. 2, 2009. With the Cowboys facing fourth-and-1 on their very first drive against the nation's stingiest rush defense, coach Mike Gundy made a quick decision--so fast that he seemed to catch Texas off guard--and told his offense to go for it. "We knew possessions were going to be key, and we didn't want to turn it over if there was a gettable fourth down or we felt like we had a play loaded up that would fit," Brewer said. "We wanted to play fast." (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

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In this photograph taken on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2009, Colorado Buffaloes tailback Darrell Scott talks to reporters during media day in the Dal Ward Center at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colo. University of Colorado officials announced on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009, that Scott intends to leave the school's football program. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

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Penn State football coach Joe Paterno answers a question at his weekly news conference on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009 in State College, Pa. Penn State host Ohio State in an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 7. (AP Photo/Pat Little)

Penn State head football coach Joe Paterno answers a question duirng his weekly news conference on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009 in State College, Pa. Penn State host Ohio State in an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 7. (AP Photo/Pat Little)

In this photo made Oct. 31, 2009, University of Florida line backer Brandon Spikes reaches inside the helmet of Georgia's Washaun Ealey during an NCAA college football game in Jacksonville, Fla. Florida coach Urban Meyer suspended Spikes for the first half of this week's Vanderbilt game after watching the tape Monday, Nov. 1, of Spikes attempting to gouge the eyes of Georgia's Ealey. (AP Photo/Stephen Morton)

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ACC Notebook: Bowden Still Boss originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ACC Notebook: Eagles Flying High

Jim Henry — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Boston College, Clemson, Duke Football, Florida State, Maryland, NC State, UNC, Virginia, Wake Forest, ACC

A solid rivalry has developed between Boston College and Virginia Tech.

While the Eagles have won the last three regular-season games against the Hokies, Virginia Tech has beaten Boston College when its counted most in the past two ACC Championship games. Plenty is at stake again when the two tangle Saturday in Blacksburg, Va.

"These guys are a premier program in the country and they haven't skipped a beat since the last time we saw them," BC coach Frank Spaziani said.

"They are always improving. This is a very good football team. They are well coached in offense, defense and special teams. Especially in their venue down there, it is very difficult to play in there. The experience of going down there has to help but this is a similar situation (to Clemson), so we are going to have to buckle up our chin straps."

Both of these teams have a chance to meet for a third consecutive year in the ACC Championship. If the Hokies beat the Eagles and then beat Georgia Tech on the road next week they will have locked up the Coastal Division by mid-October. The Atlantic Division is a tad more unsettled, but Boston College is coming off consecutive wins over division foes Wake Forest and, last week, Florida State.

The last time that BC played at Lane Stadium two years ago, Matt Ryan threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Andre Callender with 11 seconds left and the No. 2 Eagles won 14-10 against the No. 8 Hokies on a Thursday night to keep BC's national title hopes alive. This year, No. 5 Virginia Tech finds itself in the national title hunt.

Boston College's hopes once again hinge on its quarterback -- 25-year freshman Dave Shinskie.

Tabbed the starter two weeks ago against Wake Forest, the former professional baseball player was 31-for-51 against the Demon Deacons. Last week against the Seminoles, he threw for 439 yards, five touchdowns and an interception.

"He has athletic skills," Spaziani explained.

"He throws the ball well and has good mechanics and a good touch. His arm is strong enough. He can do some of those things that can help you win. He is progressing just like a freshman would. He is making some progress but by no means is he a polished, accomplished field general. There is not enough experience there. Once again, he is getting better, he is learning and we see improvement. We still need to see a lot more."

Hokies coach Frank Beamer is impressed.

"I know he is playing well for them, and I think his age and maturity helps that situation," Beamer said. "He is really throwing the ball accurately, and I think he really gives them something. With those running backs, his ability to throw the football really helps them."

On the Auction Block

Bobby Bowden's challenges haven't only been on the football field.

The historic Coalson Plantation, a 40-acre estate near Thomasville, Ga., -- 35 minutes north of Tallahassee, Fla. -- whose owners include Bowden and son Tommy Bowden, was sold at auction Thursday. The property, nine miles north of the Georgia state line, dates back to 1825, when the main house was built.

It has 11 guest suites and other buildings add another 22 guest rooms, including the Bowden Presidential Suite, name for the Bowden family. The Bowdens were among the partners in a group that purchased the complex in late 2004.

One of the plantation's most noted attributes is the Showboat Theater, a replica of the stage set from the Broadway musical of the same name. Built in 1934, it hosted the first private screening of "Gone With The Wind" in 1939.

A Tarpon Springs, Fla., couple was the top bidder with a winning bid of $2.5 million.

Streak Snapped

Too bad.

North Carolina State quarterback Russell Wilson's NCAA record of consecutive passes without an interception ended at 379 attempts in Saturday's 30-24 loss to Wake Forest. The sophomore was picked off twice, the first on a poorly thrown deep ball and the second in the end zone with 2:02 left and the Wolfpack driving for the go-ahead touchdown.

"I think he took a shot on the first one," Wolfpack coach Tom O'Brien said.

"He's done that in the past, and it didn't pay off. He didn't see the backside safety or corner or whatever it was coming across. The second one, I think he overcompensated. He's just got to calibrate his arm, get it right for the rest of the year. They're two throws he had chances of getting into the end zone, one too far to the left and one too far to the right."

Wilson streak was at 364 passes entering the game and he had thrown 15 more before the streak was snapped.

"I didn't even think about it, to be honest with you," Wilson said. "I am going to keep throwing the ball and giving my guys chances."

Tar Heel Blues

The most disappointing team in the ACC this year? FSU? How about North Carolina?

The Tar Heels have lost their only two conference games by an average of 15 points and one was against struggling Virginia. UNC has serious, serious problems on offense. The unit ranks 113th nationally with just 280.8 yards per game. Quarterback T.J. Yates has thrown more interceptions (7) than touchdowns (6).

"One of the questions as coaches that we have to ask ourselves is, 'Are we trying to do too much with a young, inexperienced offensive football team?'" UNC coach Butch Davis said. "Some of the things that we did last year, there's some guys that aren't ready to do some of those things all of the time [this year]."

Turtle Power

Much has been made of the Maryland Terrapins' struggles this season. They dropped three of four games to open the season, including an embarrassing effort against Middle Tennessee of the Sun Belt conference.

Don't look now, but Maryland (2-3 overall, 1-0 ACC) has the chance to remain in sole possession of first place in the Atlantic Division with a win at Wake Forest Saturday. The Terps ended their losing woes with a 24-21 win over Clemson last weekend to open ACC play.

"I think we are right on track," Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen said.

"I thought last week we got better. I think getting a win (against Wake Forest) will give us momentum and hopefully get us going."

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Middle Tennessee State quarterback Dwight Dasher (9) avoids the tackle of Troy's Bear Woods (48) in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Troy, Ala., Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

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In this photo taken on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009, TCU defensive end Jerry Hughes runs off the field during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Texas State in Fort Worth, Texas.The transformation of Jerry Hughes from prep running back to All-American defensive end was never more evident than the picture of a skinny kid somebody taped to his locker. Now nearly 50 pounds heavier and a senior for No. 11 TCU, Hughes now looks more like a potential first-round NFL draft pick. (AP Photo/Donna McWilliam)

NEW YORK - OCTOBER 06: Matt Moore, a former college football player at Texas Christian attends The 24th Annual Great Sports Legends Dinner benefiting The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis (national fundraising arm of The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis) at The Waldorf=Astoria on October 6, 2009 in New York, New York. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for The Miami Project) *** Local Caption *** Matt Moore *** Local Caption *** Matt Moore *** Local Caption *** Matt Moore

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NEW YORK - OCTOBER 6: Matt Moore, a former college football player at Texas Christian University, attends The 24th Annual Great Sports Legends Dinner benefiting The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis (national fundraising arm of The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis) at The Waldorf-Astoria on October 6, 2009 in New York, New York. (Photo by Brian Bedder/Getty Images for The Miami Project) *** Local Caption *** Matt Moore

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Troy receiver Chip Reeves (8) celebrates with teammate Sergio Perez, rear, after scoring on a 52-yard pass reception in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Middle Tennessee in Troy, Ala., Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

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ACC Notebook: Pack Ready for Fall Rise

Jim Henry — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:54:00 EST

Filed under: Florida State, Maryland, University of Miami, NC State, UNC, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, ACC

Tom O'Brien teams traditionally get better as the season goes on -- as North Carolina State did in winning four of its last five games last year. With Wake Forest, Duke and Boston College coming up in the next three weeks, the surging Wolfpack could be 6-1 going into its bye week prior to an Atlantic Division showdown at Florida State.

O'Brien, however, isn't about to get caught up in such nonsense. He's a game-at-a-time head coach, and Saturday's meeting at Wake Forest is N.C. State's first ACC game and first road game.

"All I know is what team I got this week against the team I am going to play," O'Brien said. "I don't know who is going to be here next week. We continue to march on and try to be the best we can weekly."

The Wolfpack, winners of three straight following Saturday's come-from-behind victory over Pittsburgh, has plenty of reasons to grin.

For starters, N.C. State is ranked No. 1 in the nation in total defense. Through four games, the Wolfpack is yielding just 201.2 yards per game after holding the Panthers to just 300 yards. Pitt came in averaging 380 yards per game.

State's defensive coaches were credited with doing a tremendous job of adjusting to Pitt's offensive schemes during the game. O'Brien, of course, wasn't ready to do cartwheels. He noted that the N.C. State defense missed more than 20 tackles, just as it had done in the season-opening defeat to South Carolina.

"It doesn't really say anything," O'Brien said of the unit's national ranking. "It's only after four games and one month of the season. If we're there after 12 games then it will say a lot about our defense."

Then there's the stellar play of quarterback Russell Wilson.

Wilson was 21-of-35 passing for 322 yards and four touchdowns against the Panthers. The majority of that came in the second half, when he led his team from two touchdowns behind by scoring the game's final 21 points. He also rushed the ball 10 times for a career-high 92 yards, including a 21-yard dash on fourth-and-14 from deep in Pittsburgh territory to prolong what turned into the game-tying drive.

"That was just Russell being Russell," O'Brien said.

"That turned the game around for us. He was able to break contain, they were in man coverage and everybody was run off. He took off down the boundary. That was the key scramble of the football game."

In all, last year's ACC Rookie of the Year was personally responsible for 414 of State's 530 offensive yards in the game. Wilson also pushed his NCAA record streak of passes without an interception to 360. In his last 13 games, Wilson has 29 touchdown throws with zero interceptions.

Wilson credits preparation and his receivers for his streak.

"Each and every practice I'm trying not to throw an interception," Wilson said.

"Every throw I'm trying to move the ball up and down the field and help my team be successful. The same thing with the wide receivers. They know that in the back of their mind they're trying to make plays for me. They don't want to give up an interception. That's a pass that they could have an extra 15 or 30 yards. They don't want to give the ball up."

Tar Heels Run Over

North Carolina suffered its first loss of the season, 24-7 at Georgia Tech last Saturday, losing its ninth consecutive ACC opener.

The Tar Heels (3-1, 0-1) managed a meager 154 total yards, including just 17 on the ground. On the flip side, UNC surrendered 317 rushing yards, 160 more yards than it had given up in the first three games combined, and turned over the ball three times. The Yellow Jackets also had a significant advantage in terms of time of possession, 42 minutes, 6 seconds to 17:54.

The Tar Heels return home Saturday or their 114th meeting with Virginia (0-3), which is coming off a bye week. The Cavaliers have won two of the past three in the series in Chapel Hill and six of seven overall. Don't expect personnel changes from UNC coach Butch Davis.

"I think we're playing the best players that we've got," Davis said.

"We've got to look at what are their capabilities, what can they realistically do and how can they get better at what we're trying to do? I think the worst thing we can do is some kind of magical hodgepodge where you move the offensive line around. They've got to get some consistency and continuity over the course of the week and the course of the season. We've got to be more effective. We've got to get the ball in the hands of our play makers better."

Frazzled by Turnovers

The struggling Maryland Terrapins have a minus-10 turnover margin. That's bad. In fact, the Terps already are more than halfway to last year's 13-game turnover total of 25. They've been costly, too, leading to 61 of the 153 points allowed this season.

That's why coach Ralph Friedgen has unveiled a new practice tactic this week as Maryland prepares for Saturday's visit from Clemson. Turnovers are met by immediate punishment.

"We're going to do something to recognize the turnovers, whether it's up-downs or whatever," Friedgen said. "I think we have to make a conscious effort to not do this. I think it (turnover) has to be something that we avoid at all costs."

Let it Rain

Blacksburg, Va., is a tough place for a visiting team to win, especially when Virginia Tech is playing Beamer Ball to perfection -- as the Hokies did against the visiting Miami Hurricanes Saturday. A blocked punt for a touchdown, three sacks and a couple of turnovers turned their showdown with Miami into a laugher.

Let's not forget about the rain either. Word is more rain fell over a 24-hour period Saturday than on any other day in Blacksburg since 1987.

Average at Best

Following Saturday's home defeat to South Florida, Florida State's record over its past 48 games (dating back to its October, 2005 loss at Virginia) is 25-23.

Corey Clark, a sportswriter with The Tallahassee Democrat, pointed out in his blog that if fans toss out victories against non-BCS conference teams (Troy, UAB, Rice and Western Michigan) and Duke, that record is 19-23.

And, Clark also pointed out that using that same qualifier (which means fans exclude non-BCS teams and Duke), the Seminoles are 5-11 in their last 16 home games against regular FBS football programs.

Quotable

When asked where he thought the ACC stood in the collegiate landscape this young season, N.C. State coach Tom O'Brien indicated he had no idea.

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Washington State running back Dwight Tardy, runs past Southern California safety T.J. McDonald during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Los Angeles, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009. USC won 27-6. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

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In this photo taken Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009, Penn State quarterback Daryll Clark (17) throws the ball away and was charges with intentional grounding as Iowa defenders Christian Ballard (46) and Jeremiha Hunter move in and clear Penn State offensive lineman Nerraw McCormack (72) out of the way during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009, in State College, Pa. Iowa's defense handed the Nittany Lions their first loss for the second-straight season. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

"Who knows in today's college football," O'Brien said.

"It seems like this is going to happen more and more. What was the quote I read in USA Today, I think probably USA Today or somewhere where Bobby Bowden said, 'Where did these guys come from?' Today everybody's got players. As I've said earlier, there are no free Saturdays, and you better be ready. I think people are coaching. There's a lot better coaches out there.

"Guys used to just roll out the ball and have talent and play the game and win. That doesn't happen anymore. I think guys are well-coached, teams are well-coached, they have players in position to win, and if you're not ready to play on a Saturday, anybody can win, anybody can lose."

ACC Notebook: Pack Ready for Fall Rise originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:54:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Defense Turns Opponents Carolina Blue

Jim Henry — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 09:58:00 EST

Filed under: Georgia Tech, UNC, ACC

East Carolina coach Skip Holtz is a believer. North Carolina is built around defense with nine returning starters. The unit, ranked sixth nationally in total defense, also has allowed the Tar Heels valuable time to develop their young offense.

"I said going into this that I think from a defensive standpoint," ECU coach Skip Holtz said, "the gaudy numbers they put up in the first two weeks, they are going to lead the country if they continue with those numbers."

Let's roll out those numbers, now after three weeks. UNC ranks sixth nationally in total defense (198.7 yards), sixth in third-down conversion defense (22.2 percent) and seventh in rushing defense (52.3 yards) as it prepares for Saturday's game at angry Georgia Tech.

Better yet, the confident, 22nd-ranked Tar Heels are 3-0 for the first time since Mack Brown's final team started 8-0 in 1997, which coincidentally was the last time they won in Atlanta.

UNC also has recent history on its side against the Yellow Jackets, slowing their powerful triple-option in last season's 28-7 victory. It was one of only two games in which Tech failed to score at least 10 points in Paul Johnson's first season.

"I think the thing we did the best last year was that we were very, very disciplined," UNC coach Butch Davis said.

"One thing you can't do against a team like this -- and this goes back to the days of the Oklahoma wishbone and a lot of the other really good option offenses -- is that you can't void your own personal responsibilities. They've added some things to get the ball on the perimeter that last year were not really truly there for them just because of the added talent they have on their roster. You have to play disciplined and you have to tackle well."

UNC has done both very well this year.

The Tar Heels have held their three opponents to six (The Citadel), 10 (Connecticut) and 17 (East Carolina) points. The last time UNC held three consecutive opponents to 20 or fewer points was 2000 against Virginia, Pittsburgh, Maryland.

UNC limited ECU to 55 yards rushing last Saturday and actually has held all three opponents to under 100 yards on the ground. In the first three games, the Tar Heels have held the opponents to just 1.8 yards per carry.

The Yellow Jackets, of course, offer a new set of challenges.

For starters, they are coming off a disappointing 33-17 defeat at Miami last Thursday after opening the season with wins over Jacksonville State and Clemson. Tech did not commit a turnover and punted just three times against UM, but it was limited to a mere 95 rushing yards. The Hurricanes, meanwhile, rolled up 454 yards of total offense behind quarterback Jacory Harris.

Tech dropped out of both the AP and coaches' poll this week.

"If you go back and look at the stats through three games this year and last year, we are probably better than we where we were a year ago," Johnson said.

"I think we are better team but we are not where I want us to be. We scored 30 points in two of our first three games. It is never as good or bad as it seems. We are not as good at running the option as we need to be. We are not as good as throwing the ball as we need to be.

"We need to be really good at something. On defense, we need to be really good at something as well. If we are not going to be good against passing, then we need to be really good against the run or vice versa. That is what I am saying when I say we are not good at whatever."

Despite last season's success against the Yellow Jackets, Davis understands how difficult it is to get ready for such an attack in one week. That's why the Tar Heels, who are looking to win their first ACC opener since 2000, spent time in the spring and again throughout preseason camp working on an option attack so his defense would be prepared.

"This is something that is so dramatically different than the National Football League is that every week every offense we've played is been so much different than the one before it. There's no real carry over," said Davis, who coached the Cleveland Browns from 2001-04.

"In the National Football League you go out there and everybody runs the same runs and everybody runs kind of the same passes and third down looks identical. Well, you look at who we played in The Citadel in the first game... virtually no carry over. We are all fortunate that we've got a little experience on defense that they will hopefully remember some of the lessons they've learned from last year. But it's still about execution."

Sophomore defensive end Robert Quinn, who recorded a career-best two sacks against ECU, agreed, saying, "If you start over thinking and trying to do too much, that's when things get out of whack. You listen to the call, try to be disciplined and read your keys and assignments."

This just might be UNC's first defense this decade that UNC fans have trusted so completely to control a game.

The Tar Heels are allowing just 198.7 yards per game to rank third in the ACC and sixth in the nation. The last time UNC allowed less than 300 yards per game was 12 years ago. After it allowed opponents to convert 43 percent of their third-down chances last season, UNC's first three opponents have converted just 10 of 45 (22.2 percent) attempts. The unit had seven tackles for loss against ECU.

Perhaps the best news, however, is the UNC defense has given time for the offense to get its feet underneath it.

The Tar Heels have struggled with inexperienced wide receivers and a string of injuries along the offensive line. Led by the performance of quarterback T.J. Yates, both of those areas made significant progress against ECU.

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UNC gained 433 yards of total offense, made its most consistent use of the passing game and ran the ball effectively enough to keep some of the pressure off Yates. Yates has completed 29 of his last 36 attempts in his last five quarters of play. He went 10-of-12 in the fourth quarter against UConn two weeks ago.

Against ECU, the Tar Heels averaged an impressive 6.9 yards per offensive play.

"We kind of stuck to our 'base' protections, kind of 'seven man' stuff---not too complicated---and the offensive line protected very, very well," Yates said.

UNC's start this season has gone very, very well, too, specifically on defense.

If you don't believe it, just ask ECU's Skip Holtz.

Defense Turns Opponents Carolina Blue originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 09:58:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ACC Would Like a Do-Over for the Opening Weekend

Chas Rich — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 22:35:00 EST

Filed under: Boston College, Clemson, Duke Football, Georgia Tech, Maryland, NC State, UNC, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, ACC

This was not the way the ACC was hoping to start the 2009 college football season. The conference is still trying to establish that it is on par with the SEC, Big 12 or the Big 10. Instead, it has barely kept itself in front of the Big East. The early returns suggest more of the same this year.

Through the 10 games to start the season, ACC teams went a combined 4-6. That's bad enough, considering that the ACC was a collective 0-4 against teams from the other BCS conferences. With Virginia Tech losing to Alabama in a semi-neutral site, Wake Forest suffering a home loss to Baylor, Cal destroying Maryland, and of course the opening night nationally-broadcast loss by NC State as the harbinger for this lost weekend. When the best win of the weekend is Clemson trouncing a middle-of-the-pack Sun Belt foe in Middle Tennessee State, that is not a good sign.

Arguably, what's worse was going only 3-2 against FCS opponents. Sure North Carolina, Boston College and Georgia Tech handled the exhibition games that actually count with ease, but Duke and Virginia failed miserably. One member of the conference losing to a FCS opponent happens. Two in the same weekend? That is an eye-opener.

The argument against those losses being as bad as they look is that Duke and Virginia are expected to be two of the worst teams in the ACC. Plus, Richmond (which beat Duke) is the defending National Champion in 1-AA football. Yeah, I'm not buying it either.

It's the second time in the last four years that Richmond has taken out Duke. That suggests the fluke label does not easily apply. Reality seems to be slapping coach David Cutcliffe quickly.

Virginia just suggests that this will be a very long and miserable season for the Fightin' Grohs. An ill-fitting transition to a spread offense -- because that always goes so well with a head coach that is very conservative -- is just another problem. The only thing that may help Groh is that the Virginia athletic department just sent the basketball coach packing and made an expensive hire to replace him.

With performances like that, the excitement for that ACC battle between Miami and Florida State on Monday night should be at a fever pitch. Or you just might to prefer to scoop out your eyeballs with a spoon.

On the plus side for the ACC: After this opening weekend, expectations should be low enough that they should easily exceed them the rest of the way.

ACC Would Like a Do-Over for the Opening Weekend originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sun, 06 Sep 2009 22:35:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Butch Davis' Tar Heels in Line for Success With Touted Tackle James Hurst

Jim Henry — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 10:14:00 EST

Filed under: UNC, ACC, Recruiting, Prospects

Scout.com released its updated Scout 300 on Monday, and offensive tackle Seantrel Henderson remains the site's top high school prospect. Two other offensive lineman were rated among the country's top 22 players, including tackle James Hurst of Indiana.

In fact, Hurst just might be the most heavily-recruited offensive lineman ever from the Hoosier state, which should put a smile on the face of North Carolina coach Butch Davis. Hurst is one of three verbal commitments for the Tar Heels.

"I ran out of good things to say about James a long time ago," Brian Woodard, Hurst's high school coach in Plainfield, Ind., outside of Indianapolis, told FanHouse.

"It may sound like a broken record, but it's all true. He's a special young man. James is going to be one heck of a college football player."

Hurst, a 6-foot-5, 271-pounder, will join Davis' emerging program next season, along with his brother, tight end Nelson Hurst, who will transfer from Mississippi State. The brothers have a strong football bloodline -- their father, Tim Hurst, played for Bear Bryant at Alabama in the mid-1970s.

More than 25 programs extended scholarship offers to Hurst, who narrowed his final three choices to UNC, Florida and Georgia. Hurst became the Tar Heels' first verbal commitment in April, pointing to factors that included his connection with UNC offensive line coach Sam Pittman, the team's pro-style offense and the program's reemergence under Davis.

UNC received more good news Monday when Russell Bodine of Fork Union (Va.) Military Academy became the second offensive lineman to verbally commit to the Tar Heels. Linebacker Ty Linton, of Charlotte, N.C., also had previously committed to UNC, which featured a top-10 recruiting class this past year under Davis.

After Mack Brown's departure in 1997, the Tar Heels floundered for the next nine seasons. Carl Torbush (1998-00) and John Bunting (2001-06) went a combined 44-63 before UNC finally found its man in Davis. After a 4-8 season in 2007, Davis had the Tar Heels contending in the Atlantic Coast Conference Coastal Division last year. UNC finished 8-5, its best season since 2001.

Davis also knows a little something about rebuilding programs. He took over a Miami Hurricanes program in 1995 that was ravaged with scholarship losses due to violations. By 2000, the Hurricanes were a top-five team nationally.

"I went on a bunch of visits, but the big three for me were North Carolina, Florida, and Georgia," Hurst told Scout.com. "I went to those three schools and we let it settle I guess for a couple weeks. It was easy for me to see where I fit in the best and where I wanted to be.

"I said I wanted to wait until August, but this was the best for me to have it out of the way and everything."

Woodard wasn't surprised by Hurst's decision to pull the trigger early on the Tar Heels. February's National Signing Day is still nine months away, and verbal commitments are non-binding under NCAA rules. Woodard pointed to Hurst's discipline on the field and in the classroom. Hurst has earned academic honors (4.1 grade-point average) and plans to graduate in December and enroll early at UNC.

"James is really a sharp guy, just a neat kid," said Woodard, whose team went 9-3 last season and made the sectional finals.

"He's a very good athlete with incredible speed for his size and frame. He plays low and is physical, but probably his greatest asset is that he's so sharp. He understands concepts and schemes that the average player does not understand. He's as good as anybody out there."

Rivals.com recruiting analyst Greg Ladky agrees.

"James Hurst is just so good at tackle," Ladky said.

"He is great in pass protection, and he will put defenders into the ground run blocking. While Seantrel Henderson has the most upside at tackle, I think Hurst is the surest thing at the offensive tackle spot. Given how important left tackles are, Hurst is Indiana's most valuable prospect."

Added Woodard: "James is one of those kids who, no matter what he does in life, he will be successful because he has that kind of work ethic and discipline."

The top five prospects ranked nationally by Rivals.com are Henderson (Saint Paul, Minn.), running back Lache Seastrunk (Temple, Texas), receiver Darius White (Fort Worth, Texas) running back Marcus Lattimore (Duncan, S.C.) and athlete Matt Elam (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.). Hurst is ranked seventh.

Scout.com's top five are Henderson, Lattimore, linebacker Justin McCay (Shawnee Mission, Kan.), linebacker Jeff Luc (Treasure Coast, Fla.) and offensive lineman Andrew Norwell (Cincinnati). Hurst is ranked 22nd.

Elam (Florida) and Norwell (Ohio State) are the lone players among the top-five on each site that have committed to schools.

Butch Davis' Tar Heels in Line for Success With Touted Tackle James Hurst originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Tue, 02 Jun 2009 10:14:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ACC Ready to Abandon Championship Game in Florida

Chas Rich — Tue, 12 May 2009 15:42:00 EST

Filed under: Boston College, Florida State, University of Miami, NC State, UNC, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, ACC

The ACC championship game has seen diminishing attendance from the 70,000 plus in the first game in 2005 down to a dismal sub-28,000 in 2008. The problem, it seems, has not been the fact that the ACC has been a collective morass of mediocrity that makes it less attractive for fans to want to make last-minute travel plans to the game. It has nothing to do with teams with smaller alumni bases like Georgia Tech, Wake Forest and Boston College making appearances.

How about the fact that they have been held in Florida and only once has Florida State or Miami appear? Good luck getting the ACC to admit that was the expectation when they set it up for the first four games to be in Florida.
It seems the problem is that no one wants to go to Florida. Charlotte, North Carolina is the place to be.

"Charlotte is more in the middle of our footprint," North Carolina State athletic director Lee Fowler said Monday following meetings involving ACC athletic directors, football coaches, basketball coaches and faculty representatives, at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Amelia Island. "We've tried Jacksonville, and we're trying in Tampa. I'd like to see how the game performs in North Carolina."

Virginia Tech athletic director Jim Weaver, whose football team has played in three of the four ACC title games, was even more direct.

"We've got to get to Charlotte," he said. "That doesn't mean Jacksonville and Tampa haven't done good jobs. It's simply too hard for people to get to Florida for a weekend game, then plan on going to a bowl game - especially now, in this economic downturn."

The ACC championship game is not scheduled to make an appearance in Charlotte until 2010. The championship does not have a permanent location. The ACC has instead taken to soliciting bids from potential host cities to try and get the most money.

Charlotte, North Carolina is the most central location for most programs in the ACC. It is also not far from the league's offices in Greensboro. But the ACC has been sensitive to accusations that it favors holding events in North Carolina and providing an advantage for the programs in the state.

It seems unlikely that the ACC will be able to pull out of Tampa for this year. Tampa and Raymond James Stadium would likely, not be eager to lose any events that could produce some extra revenue.

It also seems unlikely that the ACC will be willing to pay any escape penalties to move it this year. So get ready for lots of empty seats for at least one more year. Just do not expect a return to Florida until FSU or Miami shows some sustained success.

ACC Ready to Abandon Championship Game in Florida originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Tue, 12 May 2009 15:42:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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T.J. Yates Felled By Frisbee Injury

Brian Grummell — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 17:34:00 EST

Filed under: UNC, Injuries

North Carolina quarterback T.J. Yates was taken down last Wednesday not by 300-pound teammates but a game of Ultimate Frisbee. Yates managed to sprain his right thumb, an injury that will require six weeks of rehabilitation. Congrats on having the most stupid sports injury of the week, T.J.

The game was actually part of an 'organized team activity'. With this coach Butch Davis has almost certainly nixed entertaining thoughts of further Frisbee-related gatherings. We suggest he kill any Nerf basketball thoughts as well, that's a killer. Underwater basket weaving's out. Perhaps even speed dating.

Yates was a part-time starter for North Carolina last year, playing in seven games and tossing 11 touchdowns. Not surprisingly, he has a bit of an injury history having fractured an ankle and undergone shoulder surgery. The boy's brittle, sadly.

Fortunately for him it appears he'll be healthy come fall ball and look to hold that starting quarterback job.

(H/T: CollegeFootballTalk)

T.J. Yates Felled By Frisbee Injury originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Tue, 28 Apr 2009 17:34:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Signing Day: Morgan Moses To UVA

Ian Cohen — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 14:32:00 EST

Filed under: Tennessee, UNC, Virginia, ACC, SEC, Recruiting

Ahmad Brooks. Michael Johnson. Um, Peter Lalich. Do Virginia fans really miss all those days when Al Groh was still that heat in the streets and VIrginia could crack the top 20's of most recruiting rankings? Well, it sure made Signing Day much more fun, as the past couple of years have seen UVA bank solid, if not unexciting classes filled with linemen on both ends and likely a solid tight end prospect.

2009 has been, well, not too much different, however, over the past couple of weeks there had been speculation that mountainous man Morgan Moses, a 6'7", 343 lb. masher from Richmond could be a key pickup for Virginia. On the one hand, you have UVA's reputation as an OL factory, with D'Brickashaw Ferguson, Branden Albert and most likely Eugene Monroe becoming top-15 NFL picks over the past few years. On the other, you have concerns that Moses may not qualify academically for Virginia (especially after the decommittal of Alex Owah, who qualified under NCAA standards, but not UVA's) and a head-to-head competition with the ascendant UNC program.

Well, score one for Groh, as Moses, the #3 run blocker according to Rivals, is going to keep things in state for the Hoos. It might seem like a weird thing to get excited about, considering that Virginia is moving to a spread offense or some facsimile of it with their personnel, but beating out UNC and Tennessee shows that there's still potency in Groh's recruiting.

FanHouse takes you into the belly of the college football beast that is recruiting. We'll be around before, during and after Signing Day '09.

Signing Day: Morgan Moses To UVA originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Wed, 04 Feb 2009 14:32:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DeWayne Walker Has Lingo Problems

Brian Cook — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 08:47:00 EST

Filed under: New Mexico State, UNC, Recruiting

After last year's oversigning kerfuffle it's gotten to the point where people are emailing me the various malfeasances of coaches in search of hot young things with the expectation head will asplode to the entertainment of all.

Doctor Saturday might end up a little disappointed with this post, then, as he forwards along this shockingly frank admission from new New Mexico State coach DeWayne Walker:

"My strategy is to oversign," Walker said.

You... what you? What?

"And what that means is that if you have 18 scholarships, you sign 23 guys and out of that, those five extra scholarships are high school kids. So, if I sign 23, those five high school kids will have to sit out one semester."

Oh. DeWayne, we need to talk about how you phrase these things: Walker's talking about grayshirting a bunch of guys, which is a semi-common practice when schools jut run out of slot but still want a recruit or three (or, in one spectacularly weird recruiting year for Oregon State, eleven). As long as the players in question commit and sign with the full knowledge they're being delayed a semester, it's hard to get perturbed.

Where the asplode comes in is when large numbers of kids are removed from a team for dubious injuries, "encouraged" to transfer, or plain cut in a couple cases. That's breaking an implied covenant -- though athletic scholarships are technically year-to-year, no one commits to a school who says "we'll try you out for a couple years and if you work out, hey, cool" -- in a system that's pretty explotative of college athletes.

Walker doesn't appear to be doing this. In fact, if he was going to do it there'd be no need for the grayshirts. However, there are a couple of huge classes this year that are going to have an extremely unpleasant cram-down phase. North Carolina is the main one, but I'll hold back on that situation until the class is in ink. Then you'll get your aerosol brain matter.

DeWayne Walker Has Lingo Problems originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Wed, 28 Jan 2009 08:47:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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UNC's Hakeem Nicks Enters NFL Draft

Ian Cohen — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 23:01:00 EST

Filed under: UNC, ACC, Prospects, Bowl Games

North Carolina has a rather solid reputation as a so-called "Public Ivy," and I suppose Hakeem Nicks did his part to reinforce that reputation by doing the smart, if not painfully obvious thing that would make him wealthy in the manner a proud alum would expect- not taking that up north trip for an i-banking job, but making sure a 217-yard, 3 TD performance in a game on national TV (but a loss! Selfish!) would be the last time NFL scouts would see him in a Tar Heels uniform.

Given a 2nd-round projection by the draft committee, Hicks leaves UNC as the single-season record holder for receiving yards (1,222) and touchdowns. Overall, he holds 14 total records, but then again, Damien Durant has more and is arguably the most productive Tar Heel WR of the past couple of years with an even worse QB in his college years.

It's a double-edged sword for Butch Davis, though, who totes understood Hakeem's point of view- UNC's been an increased player in recruiting wars, but on the flipside, that might mean you lose more people in the manner of Nicks. He's part of what's looking to be a pretty big outflux in the receiver corps, but knowing Davis, I'm sure he'll be able to restock.

UNC's Hakeem Nicks Enters NFL Draft originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 05 Jan 2009 23:01:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bowl Season 08: In Which Hakeem Nicks Makes the 2008 Catch of the Year

Will Brinson — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 10:45:00 EST

Filed under: UNC, West Virginia, ACC, Media Watch, Video, General CFB Insanity, Bowl Games

FanHouse gathers around the TV to bring you insights from Bowl Season '08.

The bonus of making an amazing catch at the end of 2008 is that you are fresh as mess in the minds the meaningless people who vote on meaningless postseason awards. But timing might not matter much for Hakeem Nicks, because this is the best catch of 2008, bar none.

Now, granted, I feel like I've said this before this year, and certainly David Tyree's Super Bowl grab will give him a run for the money, but come on, man -- did you see what he did there? Ridiculous.

Bowl Season 08: In Which Hakeem Nicks Makes the 2008 Catch of the Year originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sun, 28 Dec 2008 10:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hakeem Nicks, Pat White Set Career Highs as West Virginia Takes Out North Carolina

Will Brinson — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 16:45:00 EST

Filed under: UNC, West Virginia, Coaching, Bowl Games

FanHouse gathers around the TV to bring you insights from Bowl Season '08.

Pat White will go out pretty high up in West Virginia football history -- h'es somehow the only player in the history of the NCAA to win four bowl games, and in his final outing as a Mountaineer, he set a career high for passing yards (328) and tacked on three touchdowns to boot.

Hakeem Nicks -- who became a star wide receiver at North Carolina after Brandon Tate was injured -- picked up a hat trick too, registering three touchdowns and a ridiculous 217 yards, the 20th player to cross the 200 yard plateau in NCAA history.

Naturally, his blowup was aided by the absence of West Virginia cornerback Brandon Hogan, who was absent for "personal reasons" (it appears as if someone in his family is sick, because he's not suspended and there are "thoughts and prayers" being tossed around).

The game itself was equal parts insanity (i.e. offensive firepower) and poor decisions; two fourth down attempts -- the Tarheels near the goal line and the 'Neers on a fourth and one late in the fourth quarter -- encompass the latter. The former was more or less made up by the first quarter, which ended with West Virginia up 21-14 on the 'Heels. It's only insane, point totals aside, because it seemed like it happened on exactly five plays: Nicks with two huge touchdown catches and White throwing darts all over the field.

Bill Stewart was "slightly" more enthusiastic about White's performance (and couldn't possibly be any less sane) but I suppose it's understandable -- White's four seasons at WV have been pretty incredible. He's been locked as the starter there for some time, and really, it's the complete opposite of Carolina's situation, wherein T.J. Yates returned to take Cameron Sexton's job.

The switch by Butch Davis looked pretty smart early on, as Yates connected several times with Nicks and ran in a score, but backfired late when a horrible interception by Yates allowed the 'Neers to seal the win. Possibly the most interesting story arc though, was seeing two programs that could potentially be headed in opposite directions. That's not to say that Stewart can't keep the Mountaineers as a dominant football force, but it's a tougher job when White's not hanging around; Carolina, certainly, despite the 31-30 loss, is headed in the right direction.

Hakeem Nicks, Pat White Set Career Highs as West Virginia Takes Out North Carolina originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sat, 27 Dec 2008 16:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hakeem Nicks, Win or Lose, Has Had a Career Day and Is Probably Going to Tempt Millen

Will Brinson — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: UNC, West Virginia, Rumors, General CFB Insanity, Bowl Games

FanHouse gathers around the TV to bring you insights from Bowl Season '08.

Hakeem Nicks has a monster yards-per-catch average in the fourth quarter. That's the good news for North Carolina. The bad news is that this is probably his last game as a Tarheel.

There have been rumors floating about his departure to the NFL leading up to the Meineke Car Care Bowl and then, well, he absolutely blew the hell up today. With four minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Nicks is sitting at a cool eight catches, 215 yards and three touchdowns.

Granted, the first of the touchdowns was a 73 yarder that should have been intercepted after T.J. Yates threw a wounded goose straight up in the air, but still -- the kid has been nothing short of exceptional all season (Carolina's first ever 1,000 yard receiver) and topped it all off by smashing records left and right en route to a career high in yardage.

Unfortunately for the Detroit Lions, there are rumors that Matt Millen is still running things in the front office. And there's no chance he can pass on a wide receiver this talented in the first round.

Hakeem Nicks, Win or Lose, Has Had a Career Day and Is Probably Going to Tempt Millen originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sat, 27 Dec 2008 16:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Turkey Legs to Go: Meineke Car Care Bowl Travel Guide, North Carolina vs. West Virginia

Will Brinson — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 03:15:00 EST

Filed under: UNC, West Virginia, Coaching, Fans, Bowl Games

Turkey Legs to Go is FanHouse's complete travel guide for all of the 2008-2009 college bowl games. Here, we cover the Meineke Car Care Bowl (Charlotte, North Carolina), which pits North Carolina against West Virginia.

Overview / Matchup: The Meineke Car Care Bowl is another post-season showdown that features two teams who don't have to travel far. Butch Davis' North Carolina Tarheels -- whose season was shattered by Russell Wilson and the Wolfpack just a few weeks ago -- are primed for a letdown game, following their inability to give themselves a shot an ACC crown. Meanwhile, West Virginia somehow managed to finish roughly top 30 in the country, despite losses to ECU and Pitt.

Hotels: Ballantyne Resort is the finest accommodation in Charlotte, but unfortunately it's 20 minutes from the stadium. If you want true luxury accommodation (or really love golf) it's well worth the commute. Otherwise try The Westin Charlotte or the Courtyard by Marriott City Center, both are reasonably priced (although the Courtyard is easier on the wallet) and centrally located.

Restaurants: The Capital Grille is arguably the best restaurant in town, popular with financial players and offering great dry-aged steaks. Zink New American Kitchen features new twists on classics dishes like sloppy Joes. Formerly a transmission shop and car wash, Mac's Speed Shop is just outside the city center and has some of the best pulled-pork barbecue in town.

Nightlife: Therapy Marketplace and Café will appeal to those looking for calmer nightlife. Therapy offers indoor and outdoor seating and a wide variety of coffees and martinis. Ri-Ra The Irish Pub is the place for bar games and entertainment in downtown Charlotte. Activities range from trivia games to karaoke and free tango lessons.

All travel related information provided by Professional Travel Guide.

Turkey Legs to Go: Meineke Car Care Bowl Travel Guide, North Carolina vs. West Virginia originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sat, 13 Dec 2008 03:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NC State Humiliates UNC to Narrow the Field

Chas Rich — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 15:33:00 EST

Filed under: NC State, UNC, ACC

The ACC is a flat, jumbled mess. The only certainty is that, with Georgia Tech's conference slate finished, any team in the ACC Coastal division that wants to play in the ACC Championship game needs five wins.

Before today, that qualifier had everyone but Duke in contention. Surely a ranked UNC team could handle NC State at home.

Not even close.

The game seemed close through the first 2 1/2 quarters. NC State held the lead, but it seemed completely tenuous. All it would take would be the Tar Heels just getting to competency on offense. Instead, just as UNC pulled to within 17-10, the Wolfpack rattled off 24 unanswered points.

NC State had a solid drive to extend the lead and then UNC imploded. The offense turned the ball over two more times to bring the total up to six. The defense completely hung their collective head and surrendered in the game. A 41-10 final beating.

NC State QB Russell Wilson just killed the Tar Heels. Passing for 279 yards and rushing for another 50. He threw 2 TDs and would have had more yards passing and TDs but for receivers that dropped at least 5 passes.

The Wolfpack has won two straight against UNC for the first time in ages. UNC had gone 11-3 against NC State prior to Tom O'Brien coming to Raleigh. UNC is finally eliminated from contention in the Coastal.

NC State Humiliates UNC to Narrow the Field originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sat, 22 Nov 2008 15:33:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Butch Davis Downplays NC State Rivalry, Importance of Anything But Notre Dame Game

Will Brinson — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: NC State, UNC, ACC, Coaching, NCAA FB Gossip, Media Watch

NC State football has not been what you would call "great" this year; Russell Wilson has been a pleasant surprise and the team is showing some improvement under Tom O'Brien, particularly as the year closes out, but, yeah, it hasn't been the greatest season for Wolfpack fans.

But that doesn't mean that the game this week against North Carolina has lost any importance -- it actually gives State, with wins already over Wake Forest, Duke and East Carolina -- a shot at "sweeping the state." But, please don't try and tell Tarheel coach Butch Davis that it really matters.

"At the end of the season," North Carolina coach Butch Davis said Monday, "they're all insignificant, it's just the number [of wins]. During the course of the season, certainly there's games -- home games take on more importance than road games sometimes, conference games take on more importance than other games. Marquee games against Notre Dame take on a certain amount.

See, I tend to disagree ... but then again, I'm not ~~a hired gun just looking for the next marquee job~~ Butch Davis, so how can I really know? The truth is that for as much as someone like Davis would like to downplay the idea that State and Carolina aren't rivals (there's a distinctly elitist and somewhat delusional approach to this rivalry from the Chapel Hill side), such a meme only exists in the basketball world.

In football, this is very much a huge game, and while it probably hurts to admit as much coming off a loss to Maryland, Butch should probably own up to the fact that Notre Dame would be the worst team he's played all season if he hadn't been so full of foresight as to schedule McNeese St. instead of App.

Butch Davis Downplays NC State Rivalry, Importance of Anything But Notre Dame Game originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Tue, 18 Nov 2008 11:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Maryland Wins, and Miami Says 'Thanks'

Chris Burke — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 19:24:00 EST

Filed under: Maryland, University of Miami, UNC, ACC

I could sit here and force you to read a bunch of wisecracks about how the ACC has been a bit of a debacle this season. Or I could say this:

If Miami wins its next three games, the Hurricanes will represent the Atlantic Coast Conference in a BCS game.

That once-baffling possibility became reality courtesy of Maryland, which upset North Carolina today, 17-15. The Terrapins win further clouded what was an already murky situation in the conference.

In the ACC Atlantic, Maryland is now (temporarily) tied with Florida State for first - the Seminoles play Boston College tonight, then visit the Terps next week. Wake Forest, which had been tied for first, lost at last-place N.C. State this afternoon.

But the big beneficiery of the Maryland victory - other than the Terps themselves - is, without question, Miami.

The 'Canes moved to 4-2 in the conference with a big Thursday night win over Virginia Tech. But their loss earlier to North Carolina meant that Butch Davis and the Tar Heels held the tie-breaker on Miami. Now that UNC is 3-3 in the conference, this is obviously no longer a problem.

Behind Miami in the standings now - in addition to North Carolina - is Georgia Tech (4-3 in the ACC). Miami visits the Yellow Jackets next week, then heads to N.C. State in its finale. Win both of those, and Miami advances to the ACC title game.

Whether Miami's Coastal Division control says more about the 'Canes or the ACC's overall mediocrity, I'm not sure. I'm willing to say ... it's a little bit of both.

Remember, this is a Miami team that finished 5-7 last year and 7-6 the season before. The Hurricanes then started the 2008 season just 2-3 with back-to-back home losses. They looked on their way to another non-bowl finish.

But credit where credit is due. Since losing to Florida State on Oct. 4, Miami has won five straight games. It hasn't always been pretty, what with four of those victories coming by seven points or less, but at other times it's been brilliant. As in Thursday night when the Hurricanes came out of halftime and just dismantled Virginia Tech for the entire third quarter en route to that victory.

Things are a mess in the ACC right now. Something tells me Miami is not complaining.

Maryland Wins, and Miami Says 'Thanks' originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sat, 15 Nov 2008 19:24:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sources: Butch Davis Tennessee's Top Target

Ryan Ferguson — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 16:45:00 EST

Filed under: Tennessee, UNC, SEC, Coaching, NCAA FB Gossip

Butch Davis says he's happy at North Carolina and that he isn't going anywhere... but none of us believe anything a coach says anymore (thanks, Nick Saban) so the words carry less weight than Trindon Holliday on Weight Watchers. According to "ACC sources" Tennessee is not at all put off by Davis' hard-to-get act and are still squarely targeting the coach with green and orange championship rings. From Scout.com ($):

According to sources close to the UT football program, the North Carolina football coach's agent, Jimmy Sexton, was contacted this weekend by Tennessee representatives to discuss Davis as a possible replacement to Phillip Fulmer, who was fired last week after 17 years on the job.

It's hard to blame Tennessee for their interest. Davis fits the mold of what Tennessee would want in a coach. Besides Davis' obvious coaching pedigree, he's proven he can recruit well in the Vols' backyard, a critical area of importance given Tennessee's relative lack of in-state talent. If the Vols want to start winning again, Tennessee's next head coach must be able to hold their ground against aggressive recruiting efforts from Southeastern Conference teams like Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina.

Tennessee's coaching hire will have a huge challenge on their hands. The new head coach will have to transform the 'entitled' culture that currently exists among Tennessee players, he'll have to win or at least be competitive against rivals Florida, Georgia and Alabama, and he'll have to restock a very bare cupboard talent-wise. Considering the early success Davis is enjoying at North Carolina, it would take a hell of an offer to lure him to Rocky Top, and UNC would be motivated to match anything Tennessee can put down.

FanHouse opinion: Davis isn't going anywhere, but he'll listen and benefit contractually from Tennessee's overtures.

Sources: Butch Davis Tennessee's Top Target originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 10 Nov 2008 16:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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College Football Songbook Thinks ACC Football Is BS

John Radcliff — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 20:54:00 EST

Filed under: UNC, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, ACC, FanHouse TV

The College Football Songbook is a weekly feature in which we'll be making as much fun as humanly possible of the most embarrassing moments in college football. Through words, music, and related video we'll leave a lasting memory implanted on the brains of the vanquished that they are not soon to forget.

All three ranked ACC teams were upset and knocked out of the top 25. It seemed more fun than a song about BYU...

Video Link

Photo Credits:
Amazon.com
Nick Anderson
Getty Images

College Football Songbook Thinks ACC Football Is BS originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 20 Oct 2008 20:54:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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