By: Ryan Moreland (@ryanmoreland)
The ACC Championship Game
By far the biggest news to cover in the ACC is the Miami vs Florida State matchup that will be played tonight. The winner of this game will win the conference. The loser will finish second in the ACC. This is a massive matchup against two teams that went undefeated in the conference.
Miami holds an 8-7 record over Florida State in the all-time series. However, Florida State won the last match-up. These two met in Miami last season, in what was one of the best games of the season. The final score was 55-52.
This game seems like it will be just as close. These teams have different styles, but both are great. Miami’s rushing attack, led by CFSL leading rusher Bo Yost, has been on fire. Yost is the only player in the league with over 1,000 rushing yards and is coming off a 299 rushing-yard performance. That set a new Modern Era single-game record in the CFSL.
Miami will have to find a way to stop QB Zeus Claydon and the Florida State passing attack. Claydon has 29 passing touchdowns this season, which is the most in the league. This team can find the endzone from anywhere on the field and is difficult to slow down.
Both defenses will have their hands full, in what should be a high-scoring affair. Be sure to tune in for this one.
So Close in Blacksburg
Speaking of Florida State, they traveled to Blacksburg to take on the Hokies this week. Virginia Tech played outstanding against the Seminoles. They stayed close with Florida State the entire game and made it a three-point game before the start of the fourth quarter.
But that is where the game stalled for both offenses. Not a single point was scored in the final quarter and Florida State won 38-35.
While a loss always hurts, Virginia Tech has to be proud of its performance. They put up 499 total yards and 35 points against a great defense. They were able to move the ball effectively for most of the game. And they did it with a great balanced attack.
QB Saint Major threw for 351 yards and four touchdowns without a single interception. He found WR Savahannah Olzer four times for 120 yards and a touchdown. She was the team’s leading receiver in this game.
On the ground, HB Ceecee Mucci had 15 carries for 103 yards and a touchdown. That is 6.9 rushing yards per game, which is staggering.
There was a lot to like for the Hokies this week. Hopefully, for them, the momentum of this performance can carry over to this week.
The Battle for Fourth
The top three spots are taken in the ACC. Florida State and Miami will battle for the top 2 and North Carolina is stuck at 3rd. However, there is an interesting battle for the fourth spot that could be huge.
This week Virginia Tech will be traveling to Clemson. Both teams are 1-3 in conference play right now. The winner will lock down the 4th spot this season and the loser will fall to 5th (at least).
Now, I know you are thinking only the top three spots matter, so why is this a big matchup? Well, I will tell you. The ACC might get a vote-in team this season, but it doesn’t seem likely that they will get two. That means that whoever loses this game likely ends their season. The winner might get a chance to play Cinderella in the postseason.
This is a battle between two young squads that are looking to build on this season for the future. Just getting into the postseason (even if it is a first-round exit) gives them a lot of momentum heading into the offseason. Good luck to both teams.
ACC Results Week 7
Florida State 38, Virginia Tech 35
North Carolina 47, Clemson 17
Miami 55, Notre Dame 0
SEC Schedule Rivalry Week
Monday
Miami at Florida State 8:30 PM on Twitch
Wednesday
North Carolina at Notre Dame 6:30 PM on YouTube
Thursday
Virginia Tech at Clemson 6:30 PM on YouTube
Potential ACC Game of the Week
While Virginia Tech and Clemson should be a great game, however, this one has to go to Miami vs Florida State. These bitter rivals are playing for a conference championship and a chance to land a top-four seed. With the start of the playoff seeding draft, this also means picking an easier first-round team that they get to play. There is a lot on the line between these two teams.
