Update: Giglio posted an article in the News-Observer late yesterday where he stepped back a bit from flat out saying NC State was definitely headed to Orlando.
His use of quotes on the word surprise is not very professional and a dead giveaway that he is not happy with the way things are developing. The sentence I highlighted is his first step towards backing down from his initial position.
I admire his willingness to stick his neck out and continue to hold a position no one else in the business agrees with. It is hard for me to understand his not even acknowledging there is a possibility NC State ends up playing in the Belk. Maybe he really has a source that knows more than people at ESPN and the Sentinel. I suppose anything is possible.
When the Orlando Sentinel changed its prediction from NC State to Syracuse yesterday morning, I felt a lot better about Syracuse's chances. Giglio conceding Syracuse might be too attractive pretty much clinches it for me. But I would never under estimate the power of lobbying in this in Southern conference we find ourselves in.
Clemson aside, here’s the latest breakdown on the ACC’s muddled bowl picture
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Syracuse (9-3) was a “surprise” on the Atlantic side, emerging after a pair of 4-8 seasons, but even the feel-good story on the Coastal side — your choice Pitt (7-5) or Virginia (7-5) — didn’t exactly close the season with a bang.
That leaves the ACC bowl picture, after Clemson’s playoff spot and ACC title (I mean, the Tigers could lose ... ) muddled.
The Camping World Bowl in Orlando, Fla., gets the first choice after the CFP process. It’s important to note: The Camping World gets to make its choice based on its preference. Bowls care about two things: television appeal and selling tickets. Head-to-head results or ACC record/standing is not a factor. The only criteria the league gives Orlando (and the Tier I pool) is the “one-win” rule (ie a 7-5 team can’t be picked over a 9-3 team but an 8-4 team can).
If Syracuse jumps up in the CFP standings, the Orange might be too attractive pass up. N.C. State (8-3) is still considered the favorite to land in Orlando. The Wolfpack, with one more game with ECU (3-8), would be an interesting option to pair with West Virginia from the Big 12. Those two teams were supposed to meet in Raleigh on Sept. 15 but the game was wiped out by Hurricane Florence.
On paper, a West Virginia-N.C. State matchup would pit two of the top quarterbacks in the country. But there’s a chance WVU’s Will Grier will opt to sit out the bowl game to protect his NFL draft status. N.C. State’s Ryan Finley will have a choice to make on that front as well.
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