ACC Blog: Season 23, Week 7
By: Nate Murphy (@bigmurph23)
Chief Osceola Rides Again
Don’t look now…but Florida State is right in the thick of things in the ACC. After a bad start to the season, FSU has won two conference games and is itself sitting at 2-2 with a chance to grab an auto-qualifying spot (see Ryan’s articles). And remember, I said they would win three conference games. They have one more chance to get there.
In Week 7, Florida State jumped all over the Clemson Tigers and skinned them to the tune of 52-23. They had a 28-6 lead at halftime on the back of a 21-point second quarter. Quarterback Bear Michaels was good when they asked him to be. He completed only 17 passes…but only threw 26 on the night. Four of them connected for touchdowns.
But it was the running game where FSU cashed in. Dee Money carried the ball 31 times for 136 yards. The defense also chipped in, forcing four turnovers and holding Clemson to four scores in six red zone attempts, two of the scores being field goals, and recording six sacks on the night. Florida State battles Miami during rivalry week with a chance to get to 3-2 in conference play…and potentially make a real mess in the standings.
Down but Not Out
Heading into the fourth quarter of their game against the Miami Hurricanes, Virginia Tech found themselves staring at a 21-point deficit. Miami controlled the middle two frames, scoring 17 in the second and another 14 in the third.
They had held the Hokies to an early touchdown in the first quarter and just a field goal in the second. So as the fours went up in chat, what would have made anyone think things were about to change? Maybe nothing. But the quarter changed shortly after a Jordan Haack interception.
So was that the spark that lit the fire? It was at least the lighter fluid. On fourth and five, Saint Major hit John Lee on a 29-yard strike, and the Hokies thought the comeback was on. They continued to battle. But ultimately couldn’t make enough stops. Giving up just two fourth-quarter field goals was enough. Even with a 31-yard touchdown pass to Savannah Olzer with eight seconds left, the Hokies found themselves still down six. The onside kick was a good one. But the hands team of Miami did their jobs and sealed the win for the ‘Canes.
The Hokies did everything they could in the final nine minutes of that game. Showing why they are a team that will be a tough out if they wind up in the playoffs at season’s end.
Staying in Control
Amidst the chaos that is the ACC standing one team this past week was able to stay in complete control. The North Carolina Tar Heels came into Week 7 knowing that if they won out, they would win the conference. With their win over Miami earlier this season, even finishing with an identical conference record, the Heels would walk out with the crown.
North Carolina was on the road, in what may have been a trap game, against Notre Dame, looking for their first win. And through one quarter, it looked like maybe, just maybe, the trap was being set. North Carolina only led 7-0, Notre Dame was keeping it close, were we looking at a HUGE upset in the making? No, not at all. Notre Dame just could not keep up.
North Carolina controlled and dominated the second quarter, scoring three times in the middle frame and taking a 28-0 lead into the break. They would cruise to a 45-0 shutout win. UNC was perfect in the red zone, scoring five touchdowns on five trips. They rolled up 660 yards of total offense, forced three turnovers, and held Notre Dame to eight yards rushing.
North Carolina will have to find a way to stay in control during their Week 8 clash with Virginia Tech. Easier said than done…just ask Miami (or reread the above segment), which had control and had to hold on.
ACC Results Week
Miami defeats Virginia Tech 37-31
North Carolina defeats Notre Dame 45-0
Florida State defeats Clemson 52-23
ACC Week 8 Schedule
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
Miami at Florida State (6:30 CST Twitch)
Virginia Tech at North Carolina (8:30 CST Twitch)
Thursday, June 19, 2025
Clemson at Notre Dame (8:30 CST Twitch)
Potential ACC Game of the Week
Want the game of the week for the ACC? Look no further than the first game on Tuesday night…well, maybe look at the second game on Tuesday night too. How can you pick which of these games will be the game of the week for the ACC? Both of these games are huge when it comes to determining the conference champion. But Miami and Florida State, the Seminoles trying to push their way back into the playoff picture, and Miami needs to win to have any shot at the conference crown. The real-life history, the CFSL history. Florida State has won the last three meetings, so add that to the mix. This is a rivalry in the truest sense of the word. This game should be a fun one to watch, even better to be on the call for, and a nightmare on the nerves to be involved in. I can’t wait to see it.
