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Poll: What is the Best One Loss Team?

Shawn Siegel — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 12:50:47 -0500

College Football: #23 Miami @ Georgia Tech Preview

Raphielle Johnson — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:20:02 -0500

Four games are on the schedule before Saturday, with the big one being an ACC Coastal showdown between #23 Miami (7-3, 4-2) and Georgia Tech (7-3, 4-3). The Hurricanes, currently in the driver's seat in the division, need a win to keep that status since North Carolina lurks just one game behind in the standings. And with the Heels due to take on NC State and Duke to end the season, a loss here could essentially hand the division to a Carolina team that has already defeated Miami and Georgia Tech. The young Hurricanes will have their hands full dealing with one of the ACC's best defenses, led by possible firt-round draft pick DE Michael Johnson.

Not to mention an option attack that once you focus too much on the ground game of QB Josh Nesbitt and RB Jonathan Dwyer, a big play through the air comes by way of WR Demaryius Thomas. How much have the young Hurricane quarterbacks (Robert Marve and Jacory Harris) progressed throughout the season? We'll learn here, but given the crazy nature of the ACC it would be fitting if the Yellow Jackets won this game at home.

Friday's Games

6:00 PM ET Buffalo at Bowling Green

The MAC East is on the line in this one, with Turner Gill's Bulls one win away from clinching the division. A wild overtime win at Akron last week put Buffalo (6-4, 4-2) in this position, but they're going to be tested on the road in this one. QB Tyler Sheehan has played better football of late, helping lead the Falcons (5-5, 3-3) to wins over Kent State and Ohio. There's an equally capable quarterback on the other side of the field in Drew Willy, a major reason for Buffalo's recent turnaround.It'll come down to what the two defenses can do in this one, and with the Bulls leading the MAC in turnover margin they'll win a close one. Expect the phone of Coach Gill's agent to be ringing this offseason.

7:07 PM ET Miami (OH) at Toledo

The Redhawks (2-8, 1-5 MAC East) were expected to contend in the MAC East but they, like Toledo (2-8, 1-5 MAC West), are now playing out the string. This is also the final home game of the Tom Amstutz era, with "Toledo Tom" stepping down to take a fundraising position within the athletics department at season's end. His player surely want to send him out with a win, and they should do just that in a wild affair.

9:30 PM ET Fresno State at San Jose State on ESPN2

The Bulldogs (6-4, 3-3) haven't met expectations this season, currently sitting in sixth place in the WAC and in desperate need of a victory to guarantee themselves somewhere to go come bowl season. But they visit one of the WAC's best defenses in San Jose State (6-5, 4-3), which has found a way to win six games despite having one of the nation's worst offenses. Fresno State has better talent across the board, but I don't think they're admitting how much that early-season loss to Wisconsin took out of them. The Spartans win a close one, and keep an eye on their NFL-ready corners in Coye Francies and Christopher Owens.

-Will Muschamp designated "head coach in waiting" at Texas.

For all the talk about who could fill openings at Tennessee and Clemson, one man's name can now be taken off of that list. Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp has been designated head coach in waiting at the school, meaning that whenever Mack Brown decides to retire the job is his. This development, which has happened in college basketball in recent years, has even caught the attention of Virginia Tech athletics director Jim Weaver. With their defensive coordinator, Bud Foster, having interviewed at Clemson there is obviously some incentive to keeping him in Blacksburg besides the fact that he's an excellent football coach. This is an interesting development to keep an eye on this offseason in regards to possible head coaching openings.

College Football: Virginia Tech @ Miami Preview

Raphielle Johnson — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 12:39:05 -0500

A rivalry that in recent years switched from the Big East to the ACC takes center stage on Thursday night, as Virginia Tech (6-3, 3-2 ACC Coastal) visits Miami (6-3, 3-2) at 7:30 PM on ESPN. The winner gets a leg up in the unpredictable Coastal Division race, while the loser would be in serious trouble. Although Miami has a 16-9 advantage in the series, the Hokies have the upper hand of late winning nine of the last thirteen meetings. A star was born last Thursday night for Virginia Tech, with redshirt freshman Darren Lewis rushing for 253 yards in their win over Maryland. Sean Glennon was effiecient in his first game back from an ankle injury suffered against Florida State and he'll have to do the same tonight. It's still unsure whether or not Tyrod Taylor will see any action (ankle).

Miami has gone back and forth between Robert Marve and Jacory Harris at quarterback, and predictably they haven't been the most consistent offensive unit in the conference. But there are plenty of weapons at the fingertips of offensive coordinator Patrick Nix, who will have to contend with a defense that last week held Maryland to -12 yards rushing (Da'Rel Scott, who leads the ACC in rushing, mustered eleven yards). The key for the Hurricanes is not shooting themselves in the foot with costly penalties and turnovers. if they can stay out of their own way then Miami has a shot. But since Virginia Tech joined the ACC, they're 14-1 in November. Defense, special teams and the work of Frank Beamer would be three good reasons why, and look for those to push the Hokies to 15-1 in November.

Buffalo @ Akron 7 PM EST on ESPNU

The Bulls (5-4, 3-2 MAC East) and Zips (5-4, 3-2) are tied atop the MAC East standings, and it's quite fitting given how close they are in many of the major statistical categories. Both are near the top of the conference in turnover margin and in the middle of the pack in regards to offensive and defensive categories. However, while Buffalo is third in the conference in third-down conversions (48.9%) Akron is only tenth (39.1%). Combining these numbers with the fact that Buffalo gives up the third-fewest first downs in the conference, what the Zips do offensively on the first two downs could tell the story of this one. Third and short situations and J.D. Brookhart's team has a very good chance to take control of the division race. Also, keep and eye on backs James Starks (UB) and Dennis Kennedy (Akron), two of the top four running backs in the MAC. Akron wins by a field goal.

Wyoming @ UNLV 9 PM EST on CBS College Sports

What a difference a week makes, huh? Last week the Thursday night game in the Mountain West had serious national implications in regards to the BCS. This one...could have a national impact as well, but only in regards to job security. Joe Glenn's Cowboys (4-6, 1-5) are coming off of a 13-7 win at Tennessee, but Tennessee isn't Tennessee this year if you know what I mean. UNLV (4-6, 1-5) had the misfortune of losing some close games before getting pasted by TCU, but Mike Sanford's Rebels are coming off of a 27-20 win over New Mexico. Mike Clausen gets the start once again for UNLV, who will be looking to end a four-game losing streak in the series. Look for the Rebels to get it done and keep their slim bowl hopes alive (the Pac-10 probably won't fill their slots, so the winner could have a shot at a bid).

Friday: #22 Cincinnati @ Louisville 8 PM on ESPN2

How much value does a keg of nails have? If you're a fan of either of these teams, the "Keg of Nails" has some serious value that can't be measured in dollars and cents. Louisville is the current holder of the rivalry trophy, but the Cardinals are reeling following a 41-7 pasting at the hands of Pittsburgh. Brian Kelly's Bearcats, on the other hand, will arrive in Papa John's Cardinal Stadium just six days after beating West Virginia in overtime. Louisville has won nine of the last ten meetings in the series, but that streak ends thanks to a stout defense led by DT Terrill Byrd and DE Connor Barwin (Big East leader in sacks), combined with a passing attack that boasts one of the best receiving corps (Dominick Goodman, Mardy Gilyard and Marcus Barnett) in the conference.

ACC Basketball Preview: 2008-09

CHN — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 12:26:55 -0500

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Conference Rank: 2nd

10 year average: 1st

ACC Page

All-ACC Team
Pos.	Player	Team	Yr.

c	Tyrese Rice	Boston College	Sr
G	Jack McClinton	Miami	Sr
G	Wayne Ellington	North Carolina	Jr
F	Kyle Singler	Duke	So
F	Tyler Hansbrough	North Carolina	Sr
Second Team
G	Ty Lawson	North Carolina	Jr
G	Greivis Vasquez	Maryland	Jr
F	KC Rivers	Clemson	Sr
F	Gerald Henderson	Duke	Jr
F	James Johnson	Wake Forest	So
CHN Award Winners		Returning Leaders
CHN All-Americans Wayne Ellington Tyler Hansbrough Gerald Henderson Ty Lawson Jack McClinton Tyrese Rice Kyle Singler All-Freshman Team Al-Farouq Aminu Ed Davis Iman Shumpert Chris Singleton Elliot Williams		Points: Tyler Hansbrough 22.6 Rebounds: Tyler Hansbrough 10.2 Assists: Greivis Vasquez 6.8 Team: North Carolina 88.6

ACC Standings
Nat'l	Team	League	Tourney

?	?	ACC	1	NCAA
?	?	ACC	2	NCAA
14	Wake Forest	ACC	3	NCAA
23	Clemson	ACC	4	NCAA
26	Miami	ACC	5	NCAA
39	Virginia Tech	ACC	6	NCAA
67	Maryland	ACC	7	NIT
78	Florida St	ACC	8	NIT
90	Boston College	ACC	9
103	NC State	ACC	10
111	Georgia Tech	ACC	11
130	Virginia	ACC	12

*Click on links for full Top 144 team preview

** returning conference champion

Poll: Who Do You Think Will Win the ACC?

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