By: Ryan Moreland (@ryanmoreland)
While the ACC might not be the most powerful conference, they do appear to be the most competitive. There are no unbeaten teams left in the ACC and no truly separated themselves from the rest in out-of-conference play. We could be in store for a wild finish, but before we get to that, let’s look at what happened in Week 3.
On The Rise
Clemson saw a complete overhaul in the offseason with new AD Logan Wetzel taking over. The Tiger rebuild started immediately, with him filling the roster with primarily new recruits. This means that Clemson is the youngest team in the CFSL.
With that, there will of course be struggles as the new players get acclimated to the league. However, this week the Tigers made their first big step in the right direction.
Clemson was a -19.5 point underdog against Michigan State, but that didn’t stop them from playing with the Spartans. And it was the freshmen that stepped up.
First-year Wide Receiver Paul Gavin had 4 catches for 119 yards and a touchdown in this game. It is Gavin’s first 100-yard performance of his young career. His quarterback Tavon Moss, threw for over 300 yards and a touchdown while completing 71% of his passes.
On defense, freshmen LB Bryce Frey and FS Mo Love finished the game with a team-leading eight tackles. Frey also added a sack to his performance.
Ultimately, Michigan State would win the game 44-34. However, these Tiger Cubs showed that they can play with anyone. This kind of momentum heading into conference play can be crucial. While Clemson isn’t a contender yet, they are showing the right stuff for a quick rebuild. And it is all thanks to their “freshman” AD.
Battle in the Big House
One of the best games of the week (and likely Game of the Week winner) was between Miami and Michigan. The Wolverines hosted the Hurricanes in what promised to be a stellar game. This one lived up to the hype.
Miami QB Leisa Pink was brilliant in this game. She had 415 passing yards and six touchdowns. Michigan never had a good answer for the Miami passing attack. The leading receiver for the Hurricanes was Jalen Irvin, who had 129 yards and a score on only three catches.
On the other side of the ball, SS Bubba Sharpless led the team with 11 tackles. He had a lot of help up front as well, with DT Mike Weaver netting three TFLs. And this article would have a much different tone without a major interception by CB Jourdan Johnson.
Miami got out to an impressive lead but almost threw it away in the fourth. Michigan outscored Miami 21-0 in the final quarter. However, the Hurricanes held on to come out of the game with a 48-46 win.
This game could have major repercussions come playoff seeding time, but for right now it gives Miami some confidence before they head into conference play.
A God Amongst Men
Florida State QB Zeus Claydon has been consistently one of the best quarterbacks in the league every season of his career. Now, the senior is finishing his career while climbing the record book.
Claydon currently has 132 passing touchdowns, which is the 6th most in CFSL history. He has already passed the career totals of big names like Phil Camit, Ray Tatum, and Ryan Moreland. Now, he has his sights set on the five names above him.
Directly above him are a pair of Kentucky standouts. Moses King sits at 136 passing touchdowns and Mateo Walker is just ahead of him at 138. Alabama legend Doug Day is at 139. These are the three that Zeus Claydon will pass without question. Florida State has at least five games this season (and likely more given their talent). Claydon has a career average slightly higher than 4.25 touchdowns per game. So, he might pass all of these three in two weeks.
That would leave him in 3rd all-time with only two names to catch. Alabama legend Cece Range was the first QB in CFSL history to have 150 passing touchdowns. He ended his career with 155. He was passed on the all-time list last season by Beau Dale, who ended with 159.
If Claydon sticks to his career touchdown average, then he will end the regular season with 153. This means, that Claydon will need to make the playoffs, and likely win a game or two if he wants to become the only player in CFSL history with 160 passing touchdowns.
This isn’t out of the question. Florida State is fresh off an impressive win over Penn State, showing they are a playoff-quality team. But anything can happen in the playoffs. Until then Claydon and his teammates will be focused on getting the wins necessary to get an automatic bid. And Claydon will keep one eye on the All-Time Passing Touchdowns Leaderboard.
Score From Week 3
Florida State 34, Penn State 24
Miami 48, Michigan 46
North Carolina 40, Oregon 16
Ohio State 56, Virginia Tech 38
Michigan State 44, Clemson 34
USC 41, Notre Dame 14
Week 4 Matchups
Wednesday
Florida State at Notre Dame (8:30 PM on YouTube)
Thursday
Virginia Tech at North Carolina (6:30 PM on Twitch)
Clemson at Miami (8:30 PM on YouTube)
Potential ACC Game of the Week
This week the three favorites play the three underdogs in the conference. However, there is one team I think could pull off an upset this week.
Virginia Tech is in their first year in the CFSL but has already proven they are not a team to take lightly. They will have a difficult matchup with a red-hot Tar Heel squad. This will not be an easy win, but if Saint Major and his talented WRs can stay hot against a stingy UNC secondary, they will have a chance. They just have to find a way to slow down Kevin Price and his dual-threat ability. This one could be a barn burner.
