1. The ACC really needed that Florida State-Miami game: I’m not saying this was the worst opening the weekend the ACC has ever had. But it has to be in the top two. There were losses to two Colonial Athletic Association (Division I-AA) teams-Richmond (beat Duke) and William & Mary (beat Virginia). Maryland got smoked at California (52-13). Wake Forest lost at home to Baylor (24-21). No. 7 Virginia Tech, the favorite to win the league, lost to No. 5 Alabama (34-24) in Atlanta. N.C. State, a dark horse pick to win the ACC Atlantic, could find no offense and lost to South Carolina, 7-3. The only win over a Division I-A opponent was Clemson over Middle Tennessee State of the Sun Belt. The rest of the ACC wins came against Northeastern, The Citadel and Jacksonville State. It’s a good thing that Miami and Florida State played such a great game (38-34) Monday night. It salvaged the entire weekend for the ACC.
Atlanta Journal Constitution
9/9/09
