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- Oct 7, 2012
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It's terrible. Again. Good for Duke.
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SignUp Now!bfactor said:Angling for a job, Butchie?
dukebluedevils05 said:Butch has got to be going to Arkansas once the season is over. It makes the most sense for all involved. His cheating won't matter in the SEC where everyone's doing it.
TheRagingCHS said:Butch Davis was a year away from making UNC really good.
DUKE (5-2, 2-1 ACC)
The inexplicable ACC ran through Durham this year. Then it hit the brakes in Blacksburg.
Duke started out 5-1, its best start to a season since 1994, and the last time the program went bowling. The Blue Devils were 2-0 in league play and ahead of Coastal Division favorites Virginia Tech in the ACC standings heading into Week 7. Duke had won four straight games and was undefeated at home. Receiver Conner Vernon set the ACC record for career receptions with his 233rd catch, which came in a 42-17 win over Virginia. The Blue Devils looked like they had finally turned the corner in the fifth season under coach David Cutcliffe.
That magic came to a halt in the second quarter against Virginia Tech this past weekend. After taking a commanding 20-0 lead in Lane Stadium, Duke’s defense allowed the Hokies 41 unanswered points. Duke had a chance to become the ACC’s first bowl eligible team this year, but lost it when they turned it over four times for the second straight season against the Hokies.
That’s not to say it wasn’t a successful first half of the season. By Duke’s standards it already has been a special season. Those within the program, though, are hungry for more.
Offensive MVP: WR Conner Vernon: He became the ACC’s all-time receptions leader in Week 6 against Virginia when he caught his 233rd career catch to break the previous record of 232 by Clemson’s Aaron Kelly. Vernon needs just 218 receiving yards to become the league’s all-time receiving yards leader.
Defensive MVP: Ross Cockrell: He is ranked No. 7 in the nation and leads the ACC with 13 passes defended, and he leads the ACC with four interceptions. His nine pass breakups also lead the ACC. He also scored two touchdowns, returning a blocked field goal 75 yards against FIU and an interception 32 yards against N.C. Central.
NORTH CAROLINA
Record: 5-2, 2-1 ACC
The best team in the Coastal Division just might be the ineligible one.
Despite a first-year coach in Larry Fedora, entirely new offensive and defensive schemes, and an NCAA-imposed postseason ban, the Tar Heels have been one of the ACC’s most complete teams in the first half of the season. Carolina is third in the league in scoring offense and second in scoring defense. The offensive line has been outstanding, and paved the way for another jaw-dropping season by running back Giovani Bernard. The defense has made significant strides, and the coaching staff has done a tremendous job of getting the players to buy in quickly, forget the past, and relish their role of spoiler.
North Carolina began the season in a 1-2 rut, but has since rebounded to win four straight heading into Saturday’s game against Duke. The turning point was the second half of a 39-34 loss to Louisville in which the Tar Heels almost overcame a 36-7 halftime deficit. UNC carried that momentum right into mid-October and hasn’t looked back since.
UNC’s transition to the “Fed Spread” has worked well for quarterback Bryn Renner & Co. As promised, it has been a balanced attack. Carolina is averaging more than 250 yards passing (276.0) and 200 yards rushing (210.6). UNC is one of only nine FBS schools and one of just three ACC schools (FSU, Clemson) averaging at least 250 passing and 200 rushing.
Fedora got his players to believe that there is more to play for than the postseason.
Offensive MVP: RB Giovani Bernard. The Tar Heels are 5-0 with Bernard in the lineup. He needs 95 rushing yards to reach 2,000 for his career. He has gained 439 rushing yards in the last two weeks in wins over Virginia Tech (262) and Miami (177). Bernard is averaging 130.4 rushing yards per game, which ranks seventh in the country. Despite playing in just five games, Bernard ranks second in the ACC with 10 touchdowns.
Defensive MVP: DT Sylvester Williams: Williams leads the team and is third in the league with 5.0 sacks. He had three tackles, a tackle for loss and assisted on a sack in UNC’s 48-34 win over Virginia Tech. He has eight tackles for loss, and three quarterback hurries.
SeanMayTriedToEatMe said:DUKE (3-1 currently, 4-4 projected)
at Florida State (L)
Clemson (L)
at Georgia Tech (L)
Miami (W)
VIRGINIA TECH (2-2 currently, 5-3 projected)
at Miami (W)
vs Florida State (L)
at Boston College (W)
vs Virginia (W)
If Duke can win both of their final two games (at Georgia Tech, vs Miami), then Duke would only need a little bit of unexpected help to make the ACC Championship game. Virginia Tech would have to lose at Miami, at Boston College or vs Virginia in addition to losing vs Florida State.
Thain said:Duke's game against Clemson moved to 7pm on ESPN 2.
Pantone287 said:SeanMayTriedToEatMe said:DUKE (3-1 currently, 4-4 projected)
at Florida State (L)
Clemson (L)
at Georgia Tech (L)
Miami (W)
VIRGINIA TECH (2-2 currently, 5-3 projected)
at Miami (W)
vs Florida State (L)
at Boston College (W)
vs Virginia (W)
If Duke can win both of their final two games (at Georgia Tech, vs Miami), then Duke would only need a little bit of unexpected help to make the ACC Championship game. Virginia Tech would have to lose at Miami, at Boston College or vs Virginia in addition to losing vs Florida State.
That would put VT at 3-5... they only need to be 4-4 if we're 5-3. If they lose to FSU and Miami and we win our last two, we're good.
It'll never ever happen, but it's crazy to think about.