sutomcat
No recent Cali or Iggy awards; Mr Irrelevant
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Welcome to INTERNATIONAL CAPS LOCK DAY!
EVERYONE IS TO PUT THE CAPS LOCK ON BEFORE TYPING ON INTERNATIONAL CAPS LOCK DAY, A DAY THOUGHT UP BY DEREK ARNOLD OF IOWA IN 2000. HE STARTED THE DAY AS A PARODY, TO TAKE A JAB AT THOSE WHO WRITE IN CAPS WHEN IT IS NOT NECESSARY. WRITING IN ALL CAPS IS OFTEN USED TO INDICATE THAT THE PERSON TYPING IS SHOUTING, AND ITS USE IS OFTEN SEEN AS BEING RUDE OR ANNOYING. BEING THAT CAPS LETTERS ARE ALL THE SAME HEIGHT, THEY ARE HARDER TO READ THAN LOWER CASE LETTERS. THIS GIVES ONE INDICATION OF WHY THEY MAY BE SEEN AS BEING ANNOYING. THE DAY WAS ORIGINALLY JUST CELEBRATED ON OCTOBER 22, BUT AFTER "INFOMERCIAL KING" BILLY MAYS PASSED AWAY ON JUNE 28 IN 2009, THE DAY BEGAN BEING CELEBRATED ON THAT DATE AS WELL. THIS IS BECAUSE THE CAPS LOCK KEY STARTED BEING CALLED THE BILLY MAYS KEY BECAUSE BILLY MAYS SEEMED LIKE HE WAS ALWAYS YELLING WHEN HE TALKED ABOUT A PRODUCT.
THIS ONE IS FOR YOU CALI!
SU News
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2021/10/21/virginia-tech-football-offense-struggles/ (washingtonpost.com; Wang)
Midway through a tumultuous season for the Virginia Tech football team, the outlook has turned particularly bleak offensively following the unit’s worst statistical showing under Coach Justin Fuente, whose future remains uncertain amid a disgruntled fan base that’s losing patience with the program’s downturn.
The Hokies are ranked last out of 14 schools in the ACC in total offense (311.8) and second-to-last in scoring (21.7) entering Saturday afternoon’s game against Syracuse at Lane Stadium that matches teams with one conference win combined.
“We’ve got to find a way to get our guys playing with some confidence, the way we played early in the year, which wasn’t prolific, but it was certainly confident,” Fuente said. “Slowly watched over the last several weeks almost a shift there in the confidence level. Our defense is increasing, and offensively it’s decreased, so we’ve got to find a way to kind of get that back the way it was.”
The most recent loss to Pittsburgh, 28-7, included just 224 yards of total offense, the fewest for Virginia Tech (3-3, 1-1 ACC) since Fuente took over for the 2016 season. It also marked the fewest points during Fuente’s tenure.
Quarterback Braxton Burmeister threw for 134 yards, completing 11 of 32 attempts with one touchdown and one interception. The Hokies also averaged 3.2 yards per carry, with their longest run of the game coming via Burmeister’s 17-yard scamper.
Those dreary numbers are a far cry from the production that earned Fuente a reputation as an offensive wizard, especially when it came to quarterback development. As the coach at Memphis, his previous stop before Blacksburg, Va., Fuente had shaped Paxton Lynch into a first-round draft pick.
As offensive coordinator at Texas Christian, Fuente oversaw Andy Dalton’s two most productive seasons in college, the last of which featured career highs of 2,857 passing yards, 27 touchdowns and a completion percentage of 66.1 as a senior. Dalton went in the second round of the NFL draft in 2011.
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Five things to know ahead of Tech football’s game against Syracuse - Virginia Tech Athletics (hokiesports.com)
The Virginia Tech football team wraps up its four-game home stand this Saturday afternoon, Oct. 23, with an ACC matchup against Syracuse. Kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m. ET.
Tickets to Saturday's game are still available starting at $55. Click here to find tickets.
Below are five things to know ahead of this Saturday's matchup between the Hokies and the Orange:
1. Syracuse is making its first appearance in Lane Stadium since 2003. The Hokies will play host to the Orange for the first time since the two programs joined the ACC. Syracuse's last visit to Blacksburg was back on Oct. 11, 2003, a game Virginia Tech won 51-7. Tech holds a 6-2 advantage over Syracuse all-time in Lane Stadium.
2. Download mobile tickets BEFORE arriving at Lane Stadium. Guarantee the smoothest entrance into Lane Stadium by downloading mobile tickets ahead of time. Having the HokieSports app on a mobile device and being able to see tickets is not the same as having downloaded tickets to Apple Wallet or to Google Pay. The HokieSports app requires the internet to access a ticket account, but once tickets have been downloaded from the app to Apple Wallet or Google Pay, they live on that device. No internet is necessary to access mobile tickets once they are downloaded to Apple Wallet or Google Pay.
For those fans needing last-minute assistance in downloading their mobile tickets, complimentary WiFi will be available in Hokie Village and at all gates (excluding Gate 8). Fans should look for a network called HokiesTicketsFREE to access their ticket account on their mobile device.
Visit HokieSports.com/MobileTickets for complete details, including step-by-step instructions and FAQ's.
3. Lane Stadium concessions have gone cashless. As previously announced, all concession stands have moved to cashless payment this year and will require a debit or credit card for purchase. Fans who do not have access to a card should consider buying a prepaid credit card at Kroger in advance of the game. On gameday, there will be a limited number of prepaid credit cards available in the Hokie Shop in the West concourse.
4. Don't miss the pregame flyover. Following the National Anthem, fans are encouraged to turn their attention to the southwest corner of Lane Stadium to help welcome the crew of the HH-60W combat rescue helicopter. The crew is part of the 41st rescue squadron at Moody Air Force Base in Georgia, and includes Major Adam Case of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets ('10).
5. Tech's 1986 Peach Bowl team will be recognized at halftime. This season marks the 35th anniversary of the Hokies' 1986 squad who finished the year with 10 wins and a 25-24 victory over NC State in the Peach Bowl. Former players will be back in Lane Stadium this Saturday to commemorate that memorable season.
The Syracuse football team experienced one of the biggest waves of the transfer portal era with quarterback Tommy DeVito announcing earlier this week that he wants to move on and play for another team.
Syracuse.com’s Brent Axe and Nate Mink discuss that and preview SU football’s trip to Blacksburg to take on the Virginia Tech Hokies on a new episode of “Orange Weekly” presented by Crouse Health.
Is it a “must win” for Syracuse? Nate and Brent describe it in a different way.
“Orange Weekly” airs live on Facebook and YouTube on Thursdays at 1:00 p.m.
You can catch a replay of the show in the video above via YouTube.
Syracuse Orange v. Virginia Tech Hokies Prediction & Preview (10/23/21) - The Juice Online (the juice; Bierman)
Syracuse v. Virginia Tech (10/23/21) Game Information:
- Teams: Syracuse (3-4, 0-3 ACC) v. Clemson (3-3, 1-1 ACC)
- Date: Saturday, October 23
- Game Time: 12:30 p.m. ET
- Venue: Lane Stadium, Blacksburg, Virginia
- Network: ACCN
- Spread: Virginia Tech -3.5
- History: The two teams last met in the 2016 season, with the Orange upsetting the then-No. 17 Hokies 31-17. Eric Dungey threw for 311 yards and rushed for another 109 yards, accounting for two touchdowns in the win.
Fearless Prediction: Syracuse 28, Virginia Tech 21
With the great Eastern Independent era (1985-88) and Big East history (1992-2003) of the Syracuse-Virginia Tech rivalry, considering this is the first game against the Hokies since the 2016 Orange upset in the Dome that put Dino Babers program in the national spotlight (specifically the “Who’s House?” postgame locker room speech), and the first trip to Blacksburg since 2003, this is as good a time as any to highlight the need for the ACC to change its division alignment and scheduling format.
The ACC should scrap the two-division format, as occurred in the pandemic season of 2020, and switch the scheduling format to 3-5-5.
Each team would play three teams on a permanent basis each season, for Syracuse that would be Boston College, Louisville, and Pittsburgh. In odd years SU would play five of the other 10 ACC teams, and in even years the other five teams, alternating home and away every four seasons.
In other words, Syracuse fans would see more of Miami, Virginia Tech and the other present Coastal members in the Dome instead of waiting in a 14-year cycle. It would feel much more like conference play.
Last week, Lane Stadium started to resemble a ghost town midway through the fourth quarter of surprising Pittsburgh’s 28-7 domination of the Hokies. Virginia Tech finished with a season-low 225-yards of offense and a lone third quarter touchdown, which bodes well for the Orange defensive front (Cody Roscoe’s 7.5 sacks is tops among all Power 5 teams) getting after Tech quarterback Braxton Burmeister.
After coming oh-so-close again in ACC play last week, Syracuse is due. Sean Tucker seems to be building momentum running the ball as the season progresses, and the passing offense under Garrett Shrader has no place to go but up.
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College football: Orange’s Roscoe making noise on defensive front (nny360.com; St Croix)
Cody Roscoe was skeptical when he first heard the news from his mother that he was selected among the Associated Press Midseason All-Americans earlier this week.
The 6-foot-1, 275-pound Syracuse University defensive lineman said that he questioned if his mom was confused and told her: “I don’t think that’s a thing,” before later confirming the honor by checking the SU Athletics website.
Roscoe garnered the recognition amid his second campaign with the Orange — an extra year granted by playing through the COVID-19 pandemic last fall that he has made the most of at each turn. Roscoe played his first three collegiate seasons at FCS level McNeese State.
“It was more surprising in the fact that I had never heard of it before, I never knew that there was a Midseason All-American, I thought that just came at the end of the season, so at first I didn’t think it was real,” Roscoe said.
“It was kind of surreal to me,” he added. “I’m beyond blessed and beyond thankful, I just feel like it goes to (defensive) coach (Tony) White and the defense, their preparation putting us into position to make plays.”
Roscoe enters the next game for Syracuse (3-4 overall, 0-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) slated for 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Virginia Tech (3-3, 1-1) as the leader among all power-five conference players with 7.5 total sacks. He also ranks fifth nationally with 10.5 tackles for loss, leading the ACC.
Roscoe has registered at least a half-sack in five of seven games for the Orange and has started the last four along the SU defensive front after beginning the year in a rotational pass-rushing role.
“I think last year was big for him to go against ACC competition, and when he had the offseason to train, he knew what he was missing,” SU coach Dino Babers said. “He has always had the courage, he always had the heart, so when you put that work ethic in and come back the second time ready to prove people wrong, I think that’s what you’re seeing with Cody Roscoe.”
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https://www.washingtonpost.com/spor...237382-3281-11ec-8036-7db255bff176_story.html (AP; Kurz Jr)
Virginia Tech coach Justin Fuente sounds envious when he talks about the challenge his struggling Hokies will face on Saturday against Syracuse.
“This is a team that’s found their identity,” Fuente said of the Orange (3-4, 0-3 Atlantic Coast Conference). “... They have really found, in my estimation, ... a quarterback, and certainly found their tailback.”
Those are things the Hokies (3-3, 1-1) can’t say. After taking No. 13 Notre Dame to the wire before losing 32-29 at home, Virginia Tech floundered offensively last weekend in a 28-7 Coastal Division loss to No. 23 Pittsburgh. Quarterback Braxton Burmeister was 11 for 32 for 134 yards vs. Pitt and the running game totaled 90 yards on 28 carries, 3.2 yards per attempt.
The Orange enter the game trending in the opposite direction.
Syracuse has the nation’s second-most productive running back in Sean Tucker, who averages 135.4 yards and has scored 11 touchdowns. Only nine of those came rushing; he also leads Syracuse with 224 yards on 14 catches and two more TDs. His five straight 100-yard games match the program record, not bad for a school that’s featured the Hall of Fame trio of Jim Brown, 1962 Heisman Trophy winner Ernie Davis, and Floyd Little.
“Sean is different. He’s something that doesn’t come along very often,” Orange coach Dino Babers said. “We need to use that, and that’s what we’re doing.”
The Orange also appear to have settled on a quarterback in Mississippi State transfer Garrett Shrader, who has started the past four games, leading to the exit this week of two-year starter Tommy DeVito to the transfer portal.
Shrader’s running ability has helped jump-start the Orange offense. The 6-foot-4, 230-pound Shrader totaled 315 rushing yards and four TDs in last-play losses to Florida State and then-No. 19 Wake Forest, but was held to just six yards on seven carries in a 17-14 loss at home last Friday night to Clemson.
Some other things to watch when Syracuse visits Virginia Tech:
SPUTTERING
Fuente arrived in Blacksburg with a reputation as an offense-minded coach, but things have not panned out this year behind quarter Braxton Burmeister and the absence of an effective running back. Burmeister leads the team in rushing with 212 yards and is completing less than 54% of his passes.
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https://www.thenewshouse.com/sports/football/syracuse-virginia-tech-football-preview/ (thenewshouse.com; Zulkofske)
Syracuse football will travel to Blacksburg, Virginia, to play the Virginia Tech Hokies (3-3) in Lane Stadium for the first time since 2003.
The 12:30 p.m. Saturday game will be the first meeting between SU and VT since 2016 when the Orange won 31-17 in the Dome.
“I’ve never been (to Lane Stadium), personally,” SU head coach Dino Babers said. “I hear it’s a heck of a place to play. I know the team is excited about going down there and we know it’s going to be a difficult test.”
Now 3-4 after losing to Clemson last week, the Orange will likely run the ball hard with running back Sean Tucker. Tucker rushed for 157 yards on 22 carries against the Tigers. The Hokies rushing defense allows 156 yards per game on average.
“It’s a chess game where you’re just playing with your strongest pieces. As your pieces change your game should change,” Babers said. “We haven’t had anyone like Sean. Sean is different. The biggest waste that we could do is treat him like he’s not.”
Under center, Garrett Shrader is now the undoubted number one signal-caller with Tommy DeVito in the transfer portal. He’ll need to improve on last week’s 45.9% competition percentage against a Hokies defense that allows on average 198 passing yards per contest.
“We’ve been working on stuff that we missed (last week),” Shrader said. “Just continuing to get better – fine-tuning the small details.”
Defensively, the Orange are led by linebacker Mikel Jones and lineman Cody Roscoe. Roscoe, who was named an AP midseason All-American earlier this week, will be tasked with containing Virginia Tech quarterback Braxton Burmeister.
Burmeister was sacked three times last week against Pittsburgh and has been taken down in the backfield 14 times this season.
“They have some really solid backs, and their O-line is pretty big up front. So there’s a lot of preparation on our part to get ready for them,” Roscoe said. “It looks like it’s crazy out there. The stadium is just legitimately rocking. I’m ready to see how it really is in person.”
The Orange have not won at Lane Stadium since 2001. A win on Saturday would bring them back to .500 and two wins away from bowl eligibility.
“Everything we want to do with this season is still right there in front of us,” Shrader said. “We can finish out this year really strong, and it starts this week with Virginia Tech.”
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https://athlonsports.com/college-fo...vs-virginia-tech-hokies-prediction-picks-2021 (athlonsports.com; Kinne)
Syracuse and Virginia Tech have played 18 times throughout the years, but only once as members of the ACC. Meeting number two will occur this weekend when the Orange head south to Blacksburg to square off with the Hokies. The Cuse comes in at 3-4, but they have lost their four games by a total of 19 points with each of their last three resulting in three-point defeats. Getting to six wins and bowl eligibility would be huge for Dino Babers' program after last year's 1-10 finish.
The same is not true for Justin Fuente. Just making the postseason will not be enough to satisfy Hokie supporters, and, at 3-3, Fuente is on thin ice as it is. The remaining schedule is conducive to a late-season surge, but a third consecutive home loss, especially one to a team that is 1-9 in its last 10 ACC road games, could seal Fuente's fate.
Syracuse at Virginia Tech
Kickoff: Saturday, Oct. 23 at 12:30 p.m. ETTV: RSN/ESPN3
Spread: Virginia Tech -3.5
When Syracuse Has the Ball
If Syracuse had won all of the close games that it lost, Sean Tucker would be near the top of the Heisman contender lists. As it stands, the sophomore running back is still vying for All-American honors after his sensational start to the 2021 season. Tucker has 948 rushing yards and has gone over 100 yards in six of the team's first seven games. Last Friday night, he had 157 yards on the ground versus Clemson. Say what you will about Clemson this year, but rushing for that amount against the Tigers' defense is spectacular.Unfortunately, there's not much more to get excited about when discussing the Syracuse offense. Quarterback Garrett Schrader is completing just 54 percent of his throws and is averaging less than seven yards per pass attempt. Needless to say, there aren't many great threats out wide, especially now that Taj Harris has entered the transfer portal. It will come as no surprise to know that Syracuse's leading receiver by yardage is none other than Tucker. Babers' plan is to get him the ball any way he can.
So Virginia Tech's primary goal this week will be to stop the run, and that has proven to be difficult in recent games. Pittsburgh had 208 yards on the ground this past week, and Notre Dame ran for a season-high 173 seven days earlier. Even FCS Richmond had 160 rushing yards against the Hokies. Defending the pass, primarily due to pressure from the edges and a talented secondary led by Jermaine Waller, has been a strength. But slowing down Tucker will be the most important factor in a successful defensive effort this Saturday.
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https://247sports.com/college/virgi...ch-Hokies-football-Syracuse-Orange-173552744/ (247sports.com; Bowman)
Does anyone really know what to expect from VT at this point? No? Ok, let’s dive in anyway.
Last Time Out — Virginia Tech: 28-7 L to Pittsburgh
It was one of the darker days of the Justin Fuente era at Virginia Tech as the Hokies showed nothing for four quarters. Pittsburgh is the Coastal favorite at this point, and they’ve got a terrific quarterback and an improving defense, but Tech was simply not competitive at any point in this game.
Braxton Burmeister struggled throughout, and the offense totaled just 224 yards on the day. That is the lowest output since Tech gained just 100 yards of offense against Pitt in 2015, and before that, the lowest since they gained 212 against Alabama to start the 2013 season.
Last Time Out — Syracuse: 17-14 L to Clemson
What a tough loss for Syracuse. They went toe-to-toe with Clemson on Friday night and hung with them behind an exemplary performance from running back Sean Tucker and a strong defensive effort.Their offense stalled for most of the game but had the ball late with a chance to tie or win. Dino Babers probably should have gone for it on 4th and 1 to try to get a little closer, as kicker Andre Szmyt’s 48-yard field goal attempt was not close.
Of note for this week’s game, Szmyt has been a fantastic kicker in his Syracuse career — he converted more than 80% of his kicks each year from 2018-2020 — but he has missed four field goals this year (7 for 11) and is just 1 for 5 from beyond 40 yards.
Last Time in Hokies v. Orange: Syracuse 31 - Virginia Tech 17 (Oct. 15, 2016)
Ah, the first What loss in the Justin Fuente era. The Hokies were coming off a convincing 34-3 win over North Carolina and were ranked No. 17 in the country. But they just didn’t bring their best that day to the Carrier Dome.Syracuse led 17-3 at the half, but the Hokies rallied to tie it at 17-17 with 13:53 to go. Maybe they could win a clunker and escape with a win.
However, Syracuse QB Eric Dungey was too much that day. He finished 28 of 53 for 311 yards, 1 TD, and 1 INT through the air and added 106 yards on 24 carries and another score on the ground.
How about the last time Syracuse played in Lane Stadium? That would be a 51-7 Virginia Tech win on Oct. 11, 2003, as No. 4 Virginia Tech moved to 6-0 overall behind 337 rushing yards and four touchdowns from Kevin Jones, Bryan Randall, Cedrick Humes, Marcus Vick, Deangelo Hall, John Candelas, and Mike Imoh. Now that’s quite a list.
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https://www.syracuse.com/orangefoot...eheims-2022-cupboard-stocked-quick-takes.html (PS; $; Axe)
A couple quick takes on Syracuse football’s trip to Blacksburg and Jim Boeheim adding a Top 100 recruit to the 2022 cupboard while trying to ignore forecasts for snow.
Clear Eyes, Full Hearts ...
The Syracuse football team reacts to a missed field goal with 38 seconds to go. The Syracuse Orange takes on the Clemson Tigers at the Carrier Dome, Oct 15, 2021. Dennis Nett \ dnett@syracuse.comSyracuse football has been on a freakish streak of close games with its last four contests decided by three points. It is just the second time in program history that four or more games in a single season have been decided by three points or less.
Six Syracuse games were decided by a single score or less in 2011 but SU hasn’t seen this many close shaves since 1981, when four games were decided by a field goal or less.
I hesitate to call Syracuse football’s game at Virginia Tech on Saturday a “must win.”
So let’s call it a “can’t lose” for two reasons.
1. Syracuse’s sanity.
How long can the Orange stay sane if it keeps coming up so close yet so far away?
If the Orange keep losing games, close or not, then Dino Babers might start sounding like the man he’ll be facing on Saturday at Lane Stadium.
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https://insidetheloudhouse.com/2021...all-orange-offensive-line-no-longer-woe-line/ (itlh; Fiello)
Before the season, many people talked about the Syracuse football team’s offensive line struggles in the past.
But the addition of transfer Chris Bleich and offensive line coach Mike Schmidt, as well as experience, has proven to bring positive results.
All the news on running back Sean Tucker would likely be not as impactful if not for the improvements of this line. Tucker is an amazing athlete I often compare to Cuse legend Joe Morris and would possibly still contribute greatly but the block has to be created with a portion of that success as well.
Even Sean himself is one of the first people to credit this offensive line for his success.
Syracuse football offensive lineman Matthew Bergeron is a name to know.
Among the players, the one I notice most often is Canadian Matthew Bergeron. Matthew is regularly featured when social media accounts grades players in quality of performance.Recruited to Syracuse football as the 2nd-overall prospect from Canada, he has been an Academic All-American, as well as earning freshman All-American honors from Pro Football Focus. With any luck, Syracuse football still has two more seasons after this year with him at tackle helping to provide a solid transition in leadership after the season when Airon Servais graduates.
If I had to bet today on the offensive lineman most likely to be drafted or at least make an NFL roster, Matthew is definitely one of the top choices to make my list.
As of this writing, both quarterback Garrett Shrader and Tucker are tied for 9th in the country with 9 rushing touchdowns. Not one…BOTH! This would not be the case if the offensive line was failing but instead points to incredible improvements over the last couple of years.
Depth and lack of major long-term injuries probably play a role, but I think the job Coach Schmidt has done has obviously worked, as well as players like Matthew Bergeron stepping up. I think as long as the depth and Coach Schmidt remain, the offensive line is in good hands in the future for Syracuse football.
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https://www.post-gazette.com/sports...kem-Ekwonu-Kenny-Pickett/stories/202110210110 (PG; McGonigal)
The ACC had three teams in the preseason Associated Press top 25 poll. After seven weeks of play, the conference still has three teams ranked. The thing is, none of those teams are the same. The first half of this season has been that chaotic for the ACC.
And that chaos has almost assured a conference winner no one predicted.
Two of the ACC's preseason ranked teams, No. 10 North Carolina and No. 14 Miami, have basically no chance of reaching the title game, let alone winning it. The Hurricanes (0-2 ACC) and Tar Heels (3-3) have 1.9% and 0.7% odds to win the Coastal division, respectively, according to ESPN's Football Power Index.
Clemson, meanwhile, is alive but barely breathing. Winners of six straight ACC titles, the Tigers have fallen fast from their No. 3 preseason ranking, leaving the conference's ranked teams — No. 16 Wake Forest, No. 18 N.C. State and No. 23 Pitt — with a real shot to take home the title. For Wake Forest, it would be the Demon Deacons' first ACC title since 2006. N.C. State hasn't won the conference since 1979. And Pitt has never won it since joining in 2013, just as Clemson rose to power.
Whether or not the Tigers' era of dominance is done for good is a bar debate for another time. But as it stands, 2021 is a chance for true parity in college football's wackiest — yet most predictable — Power Five conference.
Halfway through the regular season, there are five ACC teams with a chance to celebrate in Charlotte on Dec. 4. Obviously, some have better odds than others. But in a season defined by upsets and oddities, it's worth looking at all five contenders.
(All odds are according to ESPN's FPI.)
Pitt (5-1, 2-0 ACC)
Win division: 88.6%
Win ACC: 59%
Remaining schedule: Clemson, Miami, at Duke, North Carolina, Virginia, at Syracuse
Outlook: Who would've thought a month ago that Pitt would be in this position? The loss to Western Michigan was embarrassing but didn’t affect the Panthers' standing in the ACC. Pitt is a projected favorite in each of its final six games with an 18% chance to win out. Kenny Pickett's play has inspired confidence. And the poor play from North Carolina, Miami and Virginia Tech makes the Coastal easier to win than ever.
N.C. State (5-1, 2-0 ACC)
Win division: 50%
Win ACC: 18.9%
Remaining schedule: at Miami, Louisville, at Florida State, at Wake Forest, Syracuse, North Carolina
Outlook: N.C. State can boast something Wake Forest can't: a win over Clemson. Dave Doeren's team having that in its back pocket is crucial to the race in the Atlantic. N.C. State's trip to Wake Forest on Nov. 13 could ultimately decide the division. But Doeren should feel good about his defense (14.3 points per game allowed, sixth-best nationally).
Wake Forest (6-0, 4-0 ACC)
Win division: 28.1%
Win ACC: 7.3%
Remaining schedule: at Army, Duke, at North Carolina (non-conference), N.C. State, at Clemson, at Boston College
Outlook: Wake Forest is the only undefeated team remaining in the ACC. And yet, the Demon Deacons will find it difficult to stay that way (0.4% chance to win out). Back-to-back November games against N.C. State and Clemson loom large. It'll be up to Charlotte native Sam Hartman (14 TDs, 3 INTs) to guide Wake Forest to Bank of America Stadium.
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https://www.tribdem.com/sports/acc-...cle_abdb8bf5-5bd7-5377-b555-9c04a1bd5175.html (AP; Kekis)
Here are things to watch in the Atlantic Coast Conference in Week 8:
GAME OF THE WEEK
Clemson (4-2, 3-1) at No. 23 Pittsburgh (5-1, 2-0).It marks the first time in the brief series history – it's tied 2-2 – that Clemson will face Pitt on the road. It's a key cross-division matchup that features the ACC's highest-scoring offense against the league's best scoring defense.
The Panthers lead the Coastal Division and Clemson, unranked by the AP for the third straight week, is in the hunt for the Atlantic Division crown despite a double-overtime loss at North Carolina State last month.
Pitt is 5-1 for the first time since head coach Pat Narduzzi’s debut season in 2015, when it started 6-1, and tops the ACC in scoring at 48.3 points per game. Clemson is last in the conference in scoring at just over 20 points per game but is second nationally in scoring defense, yielding an ACC-low 12.5 points. Five of Clemson’s six games this season have been decided by seven points or fewer.
BEST MATCHUP
The Georgia Tech defense against Virginia's high-powered offense.The Yellow Jackets boast one of the nation's best group of linebackers. Quez Jackson ranks first in the ACC in tackles (10.2 per game), Ayinde Eley is third (9.2), and Charlie Thomas ninth (7.8). They'll try to derail an offense that's averaging 405.9 yards passing, second nationally, with quarterback Brennan Armstrong at the controls.
The Cavaliers (5-2, 3-2) lead the nation with 189 first downs and enter the game with the most passing yards in the country (2,841) and have 3,683 yards of total offense, second in college football. Virginia has won 12 of the last 14 meetings with the Yellow Jackets at Scott Stadium.
LONG SHOT
Miami (2-4, 0-2) is just a 2.5-point underdog against No. 18 NC State (5-1, 2-0), according to FanDuel , and the Hurricanes are at home. The Wolfpack, behind only Wake Forest in the Atlantic Division, travel to Miami for the first time since 2012. Since Miami became a member of the ACC in 2004, the teams have played each other just five times, but all have been close with an average margin of victory of 7.4 points. Miami won last year, 44-41.INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett has thrown 21 touchdown passes against only one interception. His TD pass total ranks fourth in the nation and first in the ACC, and he needs just 14 completions to eclipse the all-time school record of 867 set by Alex Van Pelt from 1989-92.Pickett also is averaging 23.83 completions per game, second in the ACC, is third nationally in pass efficiency (181.8 rating), fifth in total offense (352.3 ypg), and has been responsible for 144 points, fourth in the country. The Panthers have gained more than 400 yards offensively in all but one of their six games.
IMPACT PLAYER
Place-kicker Nick Sciba of No. 16 Wake Forest ranks as the most accurate kicker in NCAA history midway through the season. He's made 24 straight field goals, the longest active streak in the nation, and has only missed seven kicks – 69 of 76 for 90.5% – in his college career. He's never attempted a 50-yarder but is 19 of 20 from 40-49 yards with a long of 49. Sciba also holds the school record with 359 points, 12th in ACC history.https://www.usatoday.com/story/spor...dictions-top-25-ncaa-games-week-8/8521027002/ (usatoday.com; Staff)
Sometimes, the weekends that don't have the biggest matchups deliver the most drama in college football. Last week saw No. 2 Iowa fall unexpectedly when there was just one game matching ranked opponents. The situation is the same in Week 8. The lone clash between teams in the poll has No. 23 Pittsburgh hosting No. 24 Clemson. The Panthers established themselves as the favorites in the ACC Coastal last week with a resounding victory at Virginia Tech. The Tigers, who have won the conference six seasons in a row, trail both Wake Forest and North Carolina in the Atlantic division. A loss would almost ensure they miss the title game for the first time since 2014.
So where do the upsets come this week? There are several possibilities. No. 9 Oklahoma State heads to Iowa State with a share of first place in the Big 12 with fellow unbeaten Oklahoma. The Cyclones have been prone to second-half surges under Matt Campbell and have looked better the last two weeks.
No. 10 Oregon visits UCLA after several uneven performances that have resulted in wins in all but one game, but also created doubt about the Ducks. The Bruins need a win to stay in the Pac12 South race and have the offense to make this a fun, back-and-forth shootout. A couple of rivalry games are also worth keeping an eye on: No. 12 Mississippi hosts LSU and No. 13 Notre Dame face Southern California. Bold predictions In the crazy world of college football, there are always surprises and unexpected results. Our experts offer their forecasts for some unlikely events this weekend.
Scooby Axson
Let's face it. Oregon is the Pac-12's last hope to try to get a playoff spot, and if they want consideration for a final four spot, they need to start this weekend against UCLA. The Ducks not only need to beat UCLA, they need to blow them out. And that also goes for the rest of their schedule. Squeaking by opponents is not going to get it done. That being said, Oregon will find a way to be unimpressive and will become an afterthought once the first College Football Playoff rankings come out.
Jace Evans
A 2-2 start after an offseason of high expectations dropped Iowa State out of the rankings and off the national radar. But its losses are more understandable in hindsight (a road setback to No. 20 Baylor and a home loss to an Iowa team that rose as high as No. 2 in the coaches poll). Now, ISU has a chance to send a major message that it's still a solid team to be reckoned with as unbeaten 10/22/21, 7:12 AM College football picks: Predictions for Top 25 NCAA games in Week 8 https://www.usatoday.com/story/spor...dictions-top-25-ncaa-games-week-8/8521027002/ 2/2 Oklahoma State comes to town. The No. 9 Cowboys have a stout defense, but can their inconsistent offense answer the bell on the road in what should be a fairly electric environment? I don’t think they’ll be able to do quite enough as Iowa State wins a slugfest.
Paul Myerberg
Unranked Iowa State hands Oklahoma State a double-digit loss and takes the first step toward a return trip to the Big 12 championship. After a slow start, the Cyclones are rounding into form and looking good enough to handle the Cowboys’ impressive defense.
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Week seven of the Upstate NY Fall Foliage Map by I LOVE NEW YORK. Provided photo | nyup.com
https://www.syracuse.com/outdoors/2...-autumn-in-1000-islands-saratoga-springs.html (PS; Hernandez)
With the ups and downs of unusual fall weather in Upstate New York, fall foliage changes have been very uneven and unseasonably late.
Week seven of the foliage map provided by I LOVE NY, the state’s tourism website, shows most of the Adirondacks and Catskill Mountains as having past peak foliage with the Thousand Islands Seaway and Capital Region to be next to climax in autumn colors.
Volunteer spotters also say even in areas of near peak or peak color change may still feature an abundance of green leaves. I LOVE NY defines “peak” as the best overall appearance the foliage will have during the season, taking into account color transition, brilliance, and leaf droppage.
If you’re headed to Saratoga Springs this week, field reporters say to keep an eye out for bright yellow, amber, red and orange leaves.
Some places in Central New York will be past peak this week, but Oswego County and Chenango County will be at their apex of fall colors. Onondaga County however is just about to the midway point.
With heightened rates of Covid-19 cases, the tourism website urges travelers to follow all Covid safety guidelines while leaf peeping this season and embarking on seasonal excursions like leaf peeping and fall festivals. Checking ahead to make sure attractions are open and available is also recommended.
Here are the color change predictions around Upstate New York for the week of Oct. 20-26.
Adirondacks
- Crown Point, 60-75 percent
- Ticonderoga, 75 percent
- Queensbury, 95 percent
- Most other areas, past peak
- Ulster County, peak to past peak
- Belleayre Mountain, past peak
- Forestburgh, past peak
- Greene County, peak to past peak
- Sullivan County, peak
- Kingston, 60 percent
- Madison County, 70 percent
- Chenango County, peak
- Cayuga County, 60 percent
- Oswego County, 90 percent
- Onondaga County, 40 percent
- Oneida County, 60 percent
- Tompkins County, 65 percent
- Montgomery County, past peak
- Broome County, past peak
- Herkimer County, 60 percent
- Otsego County, past peak
- Schoharie County, 60 percent
- Chemung County, 55 percent
- Tioga County, 60 percent
- Schuyler County, 50 percent
- Monroe County, 70 percent
- Ontario County, 50 percent
- Steuben County, 90 percent
- Wayne County, 55 percent
- Yates County, 50 percent
- Livingston County, 35 percent
- Jefferson County, peak
- St. Lawrence County, 90 percent
- Fulton County, 85 percent
- Rensselaer County, 75 percent
- Albany County, 85-90 percent
- Saratoga County, near peak to peak
