The Report Card: Week Twelve Analysis of the Power 5 Conferences
4. ACC
Grade: B-
Key Wins: 5 Duke, Miami, Virginia Tech, Louisville, Wake Forest
Good Day: 4 Clemson, Florida State, North Carolina, Boston College
Key Losses: 5 Georgia Tech, Virginia, Pitt, Syracuse, NC State
Miami did not look like a top ten team most of the day, but the Hurricanes stayed unbeaten by rallying past Virginia at home. Miami (10-0) trailed by 14 points early in the third quarter before reeling off 30 unanswered points to pull out a 44-28 victory. Clemson improved to 10-1 by blasting The Citadel 61-3 in Death Valley. Like the Tigers, Florida State defeated an FCS opponent by hammering Delaware State 77-6 in Tallahassee. The Seminoles need 2 more wins to reach bowl eligibility.
Duke ended a six-game losing streak by shocking Georgia Tech 43-20 in Durham. The Blue Devils piled up 500 yards of total offense to get within one win of bowl eligibility. Virginia Tech (8-3) needed a goal-line stand on the final play of the day to hold off Pitt in Blacksburg. Cam Phillips had 117 receiving yards to help the Hokies earn the 20-14 victory. North Carolina picked up its third win of the season by beating Western Carolina 65-10 in Chapel Hill. It was the Tar Heels first win at home this year.
Wake Forest (7-4) pulled off a 30-24 upset of #19 NC State in Winston-Salem. The Demon Deacons forced 3 turnovers, and QB John Wolford threw 3 TD passes in the victory. Louisville (7-4) got another big day from Heisman winner Lamar Jackson in pounding Syracuse 56-10 at home in the rain. Jackson totaled 381 yards of offense and tallied 4 touchdowns for the Cardinals. Boston College became bowl eligible by topping UConn 39-16 at Fenway Park. AJ Dillon rushed for 200 yards and 2 TDs for the Eagles.
In the playoff conversation: Clemson, Miami
Jeff Tetrick
Jeff is a college sports fanatic who was able to recognize many D1 team logos by kindergarten. Growing up, Jeff played football, baseball, basketball, and ran track/cross country. Jeff’s love for college sports was expanded while running track/cross country at Indiana University, where he earned a General Education degree and attended every sporting event possible when not running for the Hoosiers. A proud parent and husband, Jeff resides in Oxford. His wife is an Ole Miss graduate, and Jeff has a year of post-graduate studies at Ole Miss under his belt. Jeff and his family can be found at just about any Ole Miss sporting event throughout the year. Jeff follows the idea of God, Family/Friends, and Football as a way of life. Writing about Ole Miss sports plays to Jeff’s love affair with collegiate athletics perfectly!
