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Friday, August 24, 2007
Five moments that will define the ACC
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Yesterday we looked at five moments that will define the SEC in 2007. As we enter the last weekend before the start of the 2007 season, let’s look at what could be the most important moments for these five teams in the ACC.
1. Florida State: Because it will be playing Alabama on a “neutral” site (Jacksonville), Florida State will only have five games at Doak Campbell Stadium. The first game at Clemson (on Sept. 3) is big, but the season will be defined in November when Florida State plays on the road at Boston College, Virginia Tech, and Florida.
2. Clemson: Clemson had a horrible finish in 2006, losing four of its last five games after a 7-1 start. So the Tiger faithful are looking for an early sign that things are going to be better in 2007. They expect to see it on Sept. 3 at home when Clemson hosts Florida State. Win that one and the Tigers should be 4-0 when they go to Georgia Tech on Sept. 29. Lose and the whispers start about Bowden’s future after nine years and no championships.
3. Georgia Tech: Winning at Notre Dame on Sept. 1 would be nice and I think the Yellow Jackets are going to win in South Bend because, quite frankly, they are the better team. But it’s hard to look at the Georgia Tech schedule and not focus on that Nov. 1 game against Virginia Tech at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Tech will have three tough ACC road games (Virginia, Maryland, Miami) before the Hokies come to Atlanta. But you have to believe that Thursday night game will have a lot riding on it.
4. Miami: I don’t expect Miami to win at Oklahoma on Sept. 8. The Sooners are just too good. But 12 days later Texas A&M comes to the Orange Bowl for a Thursday night game. If the Hurricanes want to make a statement that they are back, or at least on the way back, here is where it gets done. Miami is going to need a big shot of confidence because later on the Hurricanes will have to play road games at Florida State, Virginia Tech, and Boston College.
5. Virginia Tech: With eight starters returning on the nation’s No. 1 defense, the Hokies believe they can contend for the national championship if a few things fall their way. They’ll know for sure if they are ready for prime time on Sept. 8 when they travel to Baton Rouge to play No. 2 LSU. Not many people outside of Blacksburg, Va., will give the Hokies a shot on a Saturday night in Tiger Stadium. Find a way to pull off the upset and running the table looks very possible.
