In this week’s edition of Campbell’s Ramble, I am not even trying to be objective towards Syracuse. I am going to rip them to shreds after that embarrassment of a football game they played in Raleigh on Thursday night, and my rooting interests are about to be very clear. With that disclaimer out of the way, let’s get going.
NC State
State still doesn’t have a QB. But that didn’t matter in their 16-10 triumph over Syracuse. In all honesty, all the Pack had to do on Thursday night was to not have any fatal self inflicted wounds against an offensively inept Syracuse squad. State did exactly that, and they defended home turf.
Miami
It’s starting to seem like the switch from Jarren Williams to N’Kosi Perry at quarterback for Miami was the key for the Canes. Perry wasn’t fantastic, but he didn’t turn the ball over and let his defense take care of business in the 17-9 victory against Virginia. Deejay Dallas is still the main show in that Miami offense, but a competent Perry means that Miami can win some ball games, as they did on Friday.
Clemson
The Tigers are back into their peak form after their bye week. The scare at North Carolina seems to be the shot in the arm Clemson needed. Everything went perfectly for Clemson in the 45-14 domination of a pretty solid Florida State team, and I no longer have any doubts that Clemson will enter the College Football Playoff as an undefeated ACC champion.
Virginia Tech
The Hokies beat FCS Rhode Island 34-17 but still didn’t look good. Oddly enough, Tech is playing better away from Lane Stadium than they are while they are. A road win against Miami and a close loss at Boston College are their two best performances of the season so far. That doesn’t bode well for Justin Fuente’s hopes of having a job in Blacksburg next season.
Duke
Not much to say about Duke. They beat the worst team in the conference in Georgia Tech 41-23. If this wasn’t the result, then there would be something to discuss. As for now, there simply is not, this is exactly what we all expected would happen.
Louisville
I love this team so much. In what will probably end up being the highest scoring game in the ACC this year, the Cardinals outlasted Wake Forest 62-59 in Winston. Their defense is still leaving something to be desired, but the fact that Louisville is now on their 3rd string QB in Evan Conley and are putting up 62 points shows how many weapons they have offensively. Dez Fitzpatrick, Tutu Atwell, Javian Hawkins, and Seth Dawkins are all so dynamic when the ball is in their hands. Louisville football is becoming must watch TV.
Syracuse
Well, here we go. Tommy DeVito is currently terrible at QB for the Orange. He’s either hurt and incapable of making throws, or he’s just bad, neither of which is what you want, and his performance is the reason Syracuse fell 16-10 at NC State. The offensive line doesn’t give him enough time to throw and when they do, DeVito takes too long to make a decision. DeVito is also hesitant to pull down the ball and run with it which in Dino Babers’s offense, is going to be a problem. The defense is solid and will only get better with Andre Cisco working his way back to being healthy. If there is a bright spot for Syracuse, it’s that their next game is in the Carrier Dome. Cuse is putting up 34 points per game and if they can figure out a way to maintain that scoring rate in their home games, they should find a way to bowl eligibility. Maybe I’m being too optimistic and thinking with my heart and not my head. It needs to be said though that home Syracuse and road Syracuse just look like two different teams. Particularly on the offensive side.
Virginia
Did Notre Dame break the UVa offense? Is the Miami defense good now? Or is UVa football just snakebitten forever and nothing will ever change that. The Hoos dropped a 17-9 contest at Miami on Friday night. All this being said, Virginia has not won in Miami since 2011. Maybe this is just a mental thing in this particular building for Virginia, or maybe UVa just isn’t as good as we thought.
Wake Forest
Wake did almost everything they needed to on the offensive side, the defense was terrible but the turnovers ultimately killed the Deacs in their 62-59 loss to Louisville. Wake Forest turned it over 3 times to Louisville’s 2. That extra possession to the Cardinals was ultimately the difference. Wake Forest has no reason to be worried right now, unless they consider my power rankings to be particularly important.
Florida State
Clemson played their best game of the season in defeating the Noles 45-14. Florida State has no reason to be super concerned, sometimes the number 3 team in the country just plays their best, and you’re stuck on the other side of the field.
Georgia Tech
Yep, they lost 41-23 at Duke. The Yellow Jackets march towards a winless ACC season continues, with no real signs of improvement.
Power Rankings
- Clemson, duh.
- North Carolina
- Wake Forest
- Florida State
- Pitt
- Virginia
- Duke
- Louisville
- Miami
- NC State
- Syracuse
- Boston College
- Virginia Tech
- Georgia Tech
Predictions
Pitt at Syracuse: Syracuse, 28-25
North Carolina at Virginia Tech: North Carolina, 38-20
Clemson at Louisville: Clemson, 42-31
NC State at Boston College: Boston College, 31-24
Georgia Tech at Miami: Miami, 42-10
Duke at Virginia: Virginia, 17-14
Florida State at Wake Forest: Wake Forest, 42-38
Last week’s predictions: 3-3
Season total: 5-5