ACC's no grade-A league
Face it, the ACC is the Faber College of big-time football (or, to quote Bluto Blutarsky, "Four years of expansion down the drain") -- one positive-spin note around here being that Nov. 24's Virginia Tech at Virginia encounter could be a Coastal Division pre-test for the conference championship final.
Anyhow, the registrar said to turn in first-term grades or she'd expel Tommy Bowden and Chan Gailey immediately. It's a thankless job, but somebody has to do it . . .
Boston College: Yeah, the Eagles have the league's best quarterback (Matt Ryan) and a couple of stout lines. But what you really need to know about them is they lead the ACC in turnover margin and third-down conversions. Those are the signs of a well-schooled, veteran team. Second-semester classes figure to be tougher. Grade: A.
Clemson: Last week, Bowden demanded data to support claims his special teams were crummy. A reporter told him 14 Tigers punts had been blocked since he came aboard in 1999. And this was before the kick-coverage meltdown against Virginia Tech. C-minus.
Duke: Wideout Eron Riley is really, really good, but these guys are just marking time till Greg Paulus' first bounce pass. The little Devils have performed reasonably well against Virginia, Miami and Wake, though. D-plus.
Florida State: Maybe it wasn't all Jeff Bowden's fault. New offensive guru Jimbo Fisher's unit is slogging along at 345 yards per outing -- quarterback and running-game issues remain -- but Mickey Andrews' defense still can bring it. Tonight's outing at Wake is one of four severe road tests (also: BC, Virginia Tech and Florida) to go. B.
Georgia Tech: The Jackets have gone from 15th in the country to sixth in the Coastal in a heartbeat. Speaking of a pulse, tailback Tashard Choice has one. Gailey and everyone else? Hard to say. C-minus.
Maryland: A stealth candidate in the Atlantic Division, the Terps don't do anything special. But the home schedule is advantageous, runner Keon Lattimore is a load to bring down and Erin Henderson is the latest tackling machine. B.
Miami: The 'Canes lost 11 times to Big East rivals in 13 seasons. They're 15-11 in their fourth year of ACC membership -- which tells you more about UM's decline than the ACC's bite. And this bunch still has to go to FSU, Virginia Tech and BC. C-minus.
North Carolina: Get the Tar Heels while you can. They're young, there's talent on the roster and Butch Davis and his aides look as if they can coach some. C.
N.C. State: Tom O'Brien was pried away from BC (big money and that big wolves fountain in front of the football building did the trick) to shape up the sloppy goo that was Chuck Amato's trademark. So how come the Pack is even more heavily penalized this year and way, way last in turnover margin? D-minus.
Virginia: Take away Chris Long's interception at UNC and his blocked field goal at Middle Tennessee, and who knows what the record might be. He's terrific. The Cavs have taken full advantage of his talent and a pliant schedule. B.
Virginia Tech: Offensive coordinator Bryan Stinespring, the O-line and tailback Branden Ore all need to spend time in study hall. A solid defense will miss Vince Hall, but the Hokies do get BC, FSU and Miami at home. B.
Wake Forest: Kenneth Moore (160 all-purpose yards per game) has been terrific for the 2006 champs, but the defense has slipped and turnovers are way up. Beating FSU tonight is a must if the Deacons are to show they're teacher's pets again. C.
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