Week 1 for the Atlantic Coast Conference was nothing short of disastrous on numerous fronts. Perennial powerhouse Clemson lost a defensive tussle to their neighbors from Athens. The Georgia Bulldogs looked the part of a potential playoff contender, which in and of itself is not a ruinous outcome for the Tigers based on the talent level in Charlotte on Saturday night.
However, it does complicate their path to North Texas or South Florida for another College Football Playoff berth. No longer can the Tigers run the table in league play to secure a bid, they will likely need help to make it. Alabama and Georgia have the inside track to secure two spots for the SEC, while Oklahoma and Ohio State essentially control their own destinies.
Crazier things have happened and it’s important to avoid kneejerk reactions in the opening week. Clemson lost a close game to an extremely talented group that they’re capable of beating. Perhaps they’ll get another shot at the Bulldogs in late December or possibly even on January 10th in Indianapolis.
Georgia Tech and Duke endured difficult losses that bring their programs’ futures into question. The Yellow Jackets lost to Northern Illinois and Duke lost on the road to Charlotte, which was the 49ers’ first victory over a Power 5 opponent in program history.
Miami, predictably, lost to the de facto national championship favorite Alabama Crimson Tide in Atlanta in what will hopefully be a teaching moment for the Hurricanes. While Louisville soundly lost to Alabama’s division rival Ole Miss, a game that was also played in Atlanta.
Considering Cardinals head coach Scott Satterfield’s rumored dalliance with South Carolina last offseason, one has to wonder if this is the beginning of the end of the Satterfield era in Louisville.
Florida State lost a heartbreaker to Notre Dame at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee. Considering how the last several years have played out for the Seminoles, this game presented an opportunity for a program-defining win moving forward. Despite the loss, Florida State looked (at least for one night) as if they are back on track towards contention.
Who Are The Contenders?
To be frank, there are no teams on Clemson’s level in this league. The question is simply, “who they will play in Charlotte?”
Virginia Tech is currently in the driver’s seat after winning an imperative league game against North Carolina, which gave the Hokies the tiebreaker over the Tar Heels. However, Miami has a talented group capable of making the championship game.
Coastal Chaos will undoubtedly play a role with so many solid teams on that side of the conference. Virginia Tech, Miami, Pittsburgh, and North Carolina will probably siphon wins off of each other and it’s anyone’s guess as to who wins the division.
Any Sneaky Good Teams?
Essentially, the only team to have proven itself on a national stage in Week 1 is Virginia Tech. The Hokies dominated their first three drives on offense but sputtered the rest of the way. The team relied on a throwback Lunchpail effort by the defense down the stretch en route to the program’s first victory over a top-ten team in seven years and the first such win at home since 2009.
Boston College, NC State, Pittsburgh, Virginia, and Wake Forest all took care of business against inferior opponents. All can be “good” teams, but the jury is out considering the level of competition faced in the first weekend.
Probably the most unsung victory of the weekend was Syracuse over Ohio. The Orange won as a two-point road underdog in dominant fashion. It was a much-needed step in the right direction for the program.
Best Moment Of The Weekend?
College football was so evidently back on Friday night.
The massive throng of fans that the sport has so desperately missed was on full display at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg. The pregame festivities culminated with the Hokies’ entrance to Metallica’s ‘Enter Sandman’ when 66,233 people (minus the Tar Heel contingent that made the trip) were jumping, yelling, and screaming in anticipation of what was to come.
The raucous nature of Hokie Nation continued for 60 minutes as they made life for their ACC Coastal opponents miserable on offense and equally as intimidating on defense. Lane Stadium has always been perceived as a difficult place to play despite the results not tangibly showing that in the last decade or so, but it was back, and possibly better than ever.
Points On The Board
Thursday
USF – 0
NC State – 45
Friday
North Carolina – 10
Virginia Tech – 17
Duke – 28
Charlotte – 31
Old Dominion – 10
Wake Forest – 42
Saturday
Alabama – 44
Miami (FL) – 13
Georgia – 10
Clemson – 3
Colgate – 0
Boston College – 51
UMass – 7
Pittsburgh – 51
Syracuse – 29
Ohio – 9
Northern Illinois – 22
Georgia Tech – 21
William & Mary – 0
Virginia – 42
Sunday
Notre Dame – 41
Florida State – 38
Monday
Ole Miss – 43
Louisville – 24
Written by Greg Atkins
