The ACC had one of its worst weekends in a long time going 0-for-4 versus teams from BCS conferences, including 0-3 against the Big East.
Virginia Tech fell at previously winless Pittsburgh 35-17, UNC dug a deep hole and came up short at Louisville, Maryland lost at home to UConn, and Boston College's defense couldn't get off the field in a loss at Northwestern.
Here is this week's report card:
Boston College – BC's defense just couldn't get off the field, and the result was allowing 34 first downs and 100 offensive plays by Northwestern in a 22-13 loss in Evanston, IL. Quarterback Chase Rettig and company could only muster 13 points and BC just couldn't get the Wildcats' offense off the field. Grade: C-.
Clemson – Sluggish start with FSU looming next weekend, but the Tigers eventually got it going enough to earn a 41-7 victory over neighbor Furman. Clemson had 498 yards, 110 of which came on five touches by Sammy Watkins. He ran the ball once for a 58-yard score and caught four passes for 52 yards and no scores. Grade: B.
Duke – Want evidence that Duke is much more athletic than before David Cutcliffe took over: The Blue Devils returned a punt and an interception for touchdowns in a 54-17 romp over FCS member N.C. Central at Wallace Wade Stadium. Nice recovery by Duke after last week's ugly loss at Stanford. Grade: B.
Florida State – In three games, the Seminoles have allowed just three points, and that came on the final play of the game against Murray State, which FSU beat 69-3 at Doak Campbell Stadium. On Saturday, FSU romped a respectable Wake Forest team, 52-0, on an afternoon the Noles outgained Wake 612-126. FSU sent the nation a clear message. Grade: A+.
Georgia Tech – The Yellow Jackets had 214 total yards after just four offensive snaps. Tech did whatever it wanted when it wanted and could have won by more. Eight different Jackets had runs of at least 12 yards and Tech had five plays of 41 or more yards. This was total domination by Paul Johnson's boys. Grade: A+.
Maryland – Randy Edsall's first loss this season was to his former team. The Terrapins did some nice things in their 24-21 home loss to UConn, but it's still not the kind of defeat Edsall can afford. Maryland has played better than expected this season, but ACC teams shouldn't lose to the UConn's of the world at home. Grade: C.
Miami – The Hurricanes beat FCS member Bethune-Cookman 38-10 but didn't exactly dominate the visitors. The stats were fairly even overall and a really slow start by Miami has to discourage its fans. But, a win is a win. Move on. Grade: C-.
North Carolina – For a half, UNC was as bad as it ever was under former coach John Bunting. But the Tar Heels exploded in the second half and nearly overcame deficits of 29-0 and 36-7 (halftime) at Louisville. But UNC's lack of intensity early on and apparent lack of preparedness was too much to overcome. The Tar Heels allowed 27 first downs and 462 yards in the 39-34 loss. Grade: C.
N.C. State – Tom O'Brien was happy with his team over the first three quarters in building a 31-0 lead, but wasn't happy with the final period in a 31-7 victory over South Alabama. Mike Glennon passed for 257 yards and three touchdowns but the offense amassed just 384 yards to a team that gave up more yards to Texas-San Antonio and last week only beat Nicholls State by six points. Grade: B.
Virginia – The Cavaliers defensive front has some serious problems, as was evidenced in a 56-20 loss at Georgia Tech. UVa was slow off the ball up front versus Penn State, but GT is several notches better than PSU. The Yellow Jackets totaled on just 62 offensive plays. Michael Rocco threw two more interceptions. Grade: F-.
Virginia Tech – There is absolutely no excuse for the Hokies to get blown out at Pittsburgh by a Panthers team that was 0-2 having suffered two lopsided losses, including in its opener versus FCS member Youngstown State. Pitt had 27 first downs, 537 yards, and had the ball for 17 more minutes in the 35-17 contest. Grade: F-.
Wake Forest – Well, the Demon Deacons got some pay back for having beaten Florida State in four of six previous meetings until Saturday in a 52-0 pummeling in Tallahassee. Wake was outclassed in every conceivable fashion, and this was one of Jim Grobe's worse losses since taking the job 12 years ago. Grade: F-.
