Around the ACC: Week 7 – Is It Really Going to be Miami vs Wake Forest in the Final?

It was a typical week in Atlantic Coast Conference football.  At the top, Miami won (with help some say), Wake Forest rolled, and SMU quietly stayed in the hunt.  The middle continues to be muddied, as 9 of the 17 league teams have only two league losses.  And that follows the 4 schools with only one loss.  It is anybody’s conference.   

Virginia Tech fans certainly feel the pain of the Florida State faithful.  The two questionable calls to end the double overtime game in Miami went against the Seminoles, who are looking for more than moral victories, especially on the road. 

Next week should bring a tad more clarity.  There are fourteen ACC teams in action, and every one of them squares off against a conference foe. 

But before we look forward, let’s look back at the results of week 7: 

ACC Football
@ACCFootball

𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗬𝗘𝗥𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞: Week 7 🔗 theacc.co/26FBpotwwk7 https://t.co/WYz

Virginia Tech Rebounds 

After two straight heartbreaking losses, Virginia Tech righted the ship with a 34-24 victory over Georgia Tech.  The Hokies started hot, scoring on their first two drives, taking a 24-3 lead into halftime. 

Despite some lapses, especially to start the second half, Tech came up big when they had to and secured the much-needed win. The Hokies improved to 5-2 and now start a tough stretch of their schedule.   

Here are some key takeaways from the Georgia Tech victory: 

• One of the best medicines in all of football is the explosive play.  Virginia Tech had a lot of them Saturday, with 3 of their 4 touchdowns logging 60, 20, and 26 yards.  The Hokies also responded to threats with big plays, not only the TDs above, but with sacks, turnovers, and special teams.  It was a big play day for the Hokies! 

• There are playmakers on this roster, which has certainly contributed to the turnaround from a year ago. Que’Sean Brown had 251 all-purpose yards, and Jeffrey Overton tallied 141 all-purpose yards.  Both scored touchdowns.  It is nice to see these kinds of game-changing playmakers on the field and making those big plays for Tech. 

• The defense finally forced turnovers.  After only 4 takeaways through 6 games, the Hokies struck for 2 turnovers Saturday.  And although they only recovered one fumble, they did force six total, so there was a significant improvement there.  As Tech fans know, turnover margin is essential to success! 

• John Love returned to form, connecting on his only two field goal attempts and all four extra points.  It was good to see him be accurate again, and more close games are expected, so his leg is vital to further success. 

• The run game still needs work as the Hokies only had about 100 yards of rushing heading into the closing five minutes.  But that last drive was very impressive. Everyone in the building knew Tech was going to run the ball, and they still did it effectively, rushing 8 straight times for 55 yards and 3 first downs, allowing Ethan Grunkemeyer to kneel out the final two minutes. 

• The Virginia Tech pass defense is officially a weakness.  Alberto Mendoza threw for 335 yards, which was Tech’s second straight game yielding 300-plus yards through the air.  It was the third such feat allowed against five Power Conference quarterbacks. This needs to get better. 

NCAAF Nation
@NCAAFNation247

Week 7 Performance WR Que'Sean Brown - Virginia Tech • 6 rec 182 yards 1 TD • 30.3 ypc • 57 Punt Return yards

Miami and Wake at the Top 

The Hurricanes survived a scare at home and held off Florida State, 43-35 in double-overtime, remaining undefeated and moving to the top spot in the national rankings.  The game was not without controversy, though, as the officiating in the extra sessions has been widely criticized.  

We saw this two years ago when the ‘Canes were the beneficiary of three straight weeks of favorable video booth reviews on plays that would have turned the outcome against them.  This kind of good fortune – especially when it so conveniently favors the top school – will always be a lightning rod for conspiracy theorists.  This week was no different, and if you did not see the plays in question, watch the link below and be your own judge. 

Awful Announcing
@awfulannouncing

The ridiculous Florida State-Miami 2OT finish. Tom Hart, Roddy Jones... and the ACC Game Day Operations Center on the ESPN call. 🏈🎙️ h

As for Florida State, the moral victory of taking the Miami juggernaut to double overtime is not enough in Tallahassee.  The ‘Noles still have not won a road game since November of 2023, and they have fallen to 3-4 overall and 1-3 in conference.  Mike Norvell needs a signature win and a winning season.  This was a missed opportunity. 

And what about Wake Forest?  Are we still asking if they are for real?  Even after they dismantled Cal on the road, 41-7? 

Many are claiming that their schedule is weak.  The Demon Deacons beat Louisville when the Cardinals were ranked 16.  This logic works for the SEC, so it has to work for the ACC, right?  

If you are an SEC fan, don’t get your shorts in a knot – I'm not comparing the ACC to the SEC.  I’m merely using a common argument in SEC posturing – beating a ranked team. And if you are an SEC fan, why are you reading an ACC recap article? 

Anyway, back to Wake Forest.  They are an offensive machine. The Deacs have scored 30 or more points in all six victories, 38 or more in five of them! They are not a team that I would want to play right now.   

Wake is getting some credit with their national ranking of 17, but ten power conference schools with one loss are still ahead of them, while only three are behind them, including 5-1 SMU (who beat Virginia 23-13 this weekend).   

Time will settle this, though, when the Deacs and Mustangs square off on November 14 in what could very well be the battle for the other ACC championship berth. 

Not So Fast from the Carolinas 

Although the majority of talk is about Miami and Wake – and a little SMU – there are two other teams in the ACC who still have only one loss: Clemson and North Carolina.   Both teams are 4-2 overall and 2-1 in conference play. 

The Tigers’ lone league loss is to Miami, and they do not play Wake, SMU, or even Louisville.  If Clemson wins out, they will be right there vying for a spot in the title game. 

UNC has a tougher road, though.  They already lost to Clemson, and they play Miami soon.  They would need a lot of help to reach Charlotte, but honestly, even being in the top part of the league is a huge accomplishment for a team who was only expected to win four games this year. 

A Muddied Mess in the Middle 

After those five teams at the top of the conference, nine teams sit tied with 2 losses.   

Pitt lost to Boston College this week (27-21) and fell to 5-2, but it feels like they are a .500 team right now.  They have lost two straight since their backup quarterback was thrust into a starting role.  

And history is not on their side in terms of late season slides.  They could easily repeat that trend and lose their next four: Miami, Georgia Tech, Florida State, and Louisville. It has gotten so bad that head coach Pat Narduzzi is already talking about Miami poaching his quarterback next year! 

Brendan Howe
@bybrendanhowe

#Pitt HC Pat Narduzzi on Mario Cristobal and Miami trying to poach QB Mason Heintschel in the offseason: “If the NCAA can’t get a hold on it and Congress can’t get a hold on it, there’s nothing you can do. He’s playing by his rules and we’ll try to play by our rules.” #H2P

Duke fell to Carolina (24-20) and is now 4-2 overall and 1-2 in ACC games.  Louisville (4-3/3-2) won 34-26 at the dome in Syracuse (2-4/0-3) and remains hopeful of meeting their preseason hype. 

Meanwhile, Virginia’s loss to SMU dropped them to 4-3 overall and 2-2 in the league, and Cal’s defeat at the hands of Wake Forest left the Golden Bears with a 3-4 record (1-2 in the ACC) 

Georgia Tech, North Carolina State, and Boston College are also 1-2 in conference games.  Mathematically they are still alive, but it doesn't feel like any of them even has a remote chance to make it to the conference final. 

The off-season
@TheOffSeasonCFB

ACC standings through week 7

Looking Ahead to Week 8 

The ACC race will take another step toward clarity next week (maybe?) when 14 of the 15 league schools play games against each other.  Every game will directly impact the ACC standings. 

• Duke at Virginia (Friday night) – This game would be more appealing on the hardwood, but it is important because the loser drops to three league losses and is likely out of the title game race. 

• NC State at Stanford (Friday night) – Also a better basketball matchup, but unlike the early Friday game, this one is to stay out of the ACC basement. 

• Pitt at Miami – After two disappointing performances, it is hard to imagine the Panthers emerging victorious against the number one team in the nation, especially with their second-string QB at the helm.   

• Cal at SMU – The Golden Bears really are not a good football team and SMU is.  As long as the Mustangs take care of the football, they should win this game at home. 

• Boston College at Georgia Tech – On paper this is not an attractive matchup.  But BC is playing better and Georgia Tech has shown a little life.  This should be a close game. 

• Virginia Tech at Clemson – A night game at Death Valley can be a tough spot for visitors to win.  Tech’s pass defense is struggling, but so is Clemson’s passing offense.  Wouldn’t it be so Virginia Tech to give up a career passing day to a quarterback who averages less than 200 yards per game through the air?  Just sayin’. 

• Syracuse at North Carolina – The fighting Belichicks should get the victory this week and cover the “over” on their preseason win projection. 

Enjoy the weekend and the chaos that is inevitable. 

Go Hokies!