If any doubt remains that coaches' and writers' polls are not the ideal measuring tool for college football, consider this. On its home field, Georgia Tech played perhaps its poorest game of the season and did just enough to beat an underwhelming Maryland team.
For this, the Yellow Jackets moved up a spot in both polls, from 13th to 12th, the result of Texas getting smashed by Oklahoma.
Regardless, Saturday's results revealed at least this much: The Jackets have more pressing concerns than their ranking, and the final seven weeks of the regular season in the ACC look like an unpredictable ride.
In beating Maryland 21-16 to improve to 6-0, the Jackets did not resemble the juggernaut that had incinerated previous opponents with quick strikes from a variety of playmakers. While Tech still ran for more yards (272) than any other ACC team has in any game this season, the problems sprang up like popcorn, coach Paul Johnson said.
"The last two weeks haven't been the sharpest that we've played, especially (from an) offensive standpoint," B-back David Sims said. "I think we understand that we're 6-0, we're bowl eligible, but there's still a lot of football left to be played."
Just getting through October will be a severe test. Virginia, whom the Jackets play Saturday, had a bye this past weekend. Further, Tech fans know that Charlottesville has rarely been a pleasant trip. A road game at Miami follows Oct. 22. The Hurricanes nearly upset Virginia Tech Saturday in Blacksburg and rolled up 519 yards of total offense against the Hokies. The Jackets, who have allowed 100-yard rushers in each of the past three games, will have to stop running back Lamar Miller, the ACC's leading rusher. Miami has also beaten Tech two years running.
No. 8 Clemson, Tech's opponent Oct. 29, has an offense that has put up numbers nearly as staggering as the Jackets' and has the No. 3 scoring defense in the ACC. Two Saturdays ago, the Tigers beat Virginia Tech and became the first team to hold the Hokies without a touchdown at Lane Stadium since 1995. Undefeated at 6-0, Clemson has its own challenge to deal with, as quarterback Tajh Boyd sustained a slight hip strain in the Tigers' win over Boston College Saturday. Coach Dabo Swinney said Sunday Boyd should be able to practice this week to prepare for Maryland.
"Coach Johnson always talks about how just going into games, one after the next, it just gets harder and harder," linebacker Quayshawn Nealy said. "The mindset is just keep on trucking, keep on going."
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