ESPN ACC Blog

Posted by ESPN.com’s Heather Dinich

To Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson, it was an easy decision. A no-brainer. In fact, Johnson said on his Sunday evening teleconference that he didn’t even consider what would’ve happened if Georgia Tech didn’t make it on fourth and one from the 5-yard line against Wake Forest in overtime.

“I wasn’t worried about what if it didn’t work,” Johnson said. “We lost the game. Move on. Go to the next one.”

Meanwhile, just about everyone else in the country who was watching was ready for the field goal unit to trot out.

At stake: The Coastal Division crown.

Option B: Kick a chip-shot field goal and send it into a second overtime.

Johnson’s call: Goferit.

It worked, and it might become the most memorable, gutsiest call of the season. At least to everyone else but Johnson.

“I never thought anything much more about it,” he said. “To me it was the way to go. It wasn’t a hard decision.”

	AP Photo/John Bazemore
	The decision to have Georgia Tech quarterback Josh Nesbitt go for it on fourth down in overtime against Wake Forest was "easy" for coach Paul Johnson .

Johnson’s philosophy is to usually go for it on fourth down and less than two yards (as long as they’re across midfield), but on this particular day, the Jackets had been 0-for-4 on their fourth down conversions to that point.

That played no part in his decision.

“It wasn’t a big deal,” Johnson said. “I saw how they lined up. I didn’t much see how they were going to stop it. (Josh Nesbitt) felt like he could get it. I felt like he could get it. You tell the kids to play to win, you’ve got to play to win. If we kicked the field goal, let’s say we get a good snap and make the kick. You’ve still got a 50-50 chance to lose. Now we’re going first. To me, that was an easy decision. We’ve gotta get half a yard. We get half a yard we’ve got a chance to win the game. I thought my chances of getting half a yard were better than 50-50.”

In retrospect, it makes a lot of sense, especially considering how Georgia Tech lines up.

“If I’m in the shotgun, snapping the ball six yards deep to the quarterback, I might not go for it,” Johnson said. “I think each coach would’ve had to make their own decision. The easy thing to do? Kick it. Then you put the onus on the kids. If the kicker misses, you can blame the kicker. To me it wasn’t a hard decision. Really, when I saw it was half a yard, it wasn’t that hard.”

But Johnson did it without thinking as hard as we are about it. He did it in a second’s notice. And word spread quickly about it through the coaching ranks of the ACC. Duke coach David Cutcliffe, whose team will host the Yellow Jackets on Saturday, said he probably wouldn’t have made the same call. But Cutcliffe's team relies on its passing game, and has struggled to run the ball this year.

“Probably not,” Cutcliffe said. “Just being real honest. That’s pretty gutsy, pretty confident in the offensive front and their ability to run the ball. That’s pretty amazing. It worked. It’s going to go one way or the other, and it went the right way for them.”

Virginia coach Al Groh said with the team Johnson has, including the combination of Jonathan Dwyer and Nesbitt, he would’ve “given serious thought” to making the same call, and he used the same reasoning as Johnson.

“Even if you kick the field goal, that doesn’t mean you’re going to win the game,” Groh said. “You’ve still got to go back and play another series with the other team, and maybe they score and you don’t, or they kick a field goal and you miss yours. You’ve got it right there, and all you have to do is make one yard to win the game right now. Unless you’re playing scaredy-cat, there’s a lot of good reasons to go for it right when he did -- if you’re the No. 2 running team in the country, which is what they are.”

Johnson was playing to the strength of his team. Plus, his offense is better than his defense, so it makes more sense to try and win the game with those guys on the field than taking a chance with an inconsistent defense.

“When you analyze all the factors,” Groh said, “it certainly makes sense.”

It also makes for the No. 7 team in the country this week.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Heather Dinich

From the way Clemson safety DeAndre McDaniel tells it, Florida State quarterback Christian Ponder knew exactly what he was getting himself into on Saturday when he ran down the sideline like a charging bull after McDaniel and tried to tackle him following an interception.

It was an out route. Ponder was coming down the sideline, and, yes, McDaniel pointed at him. It was like a game of chicken, only neither of them backed off.

“I just knew it was going to be me and him,” McDaniel said. “It wasn’t nothing against him, I was just caught up in the moment, letting him know there was about to be a collision, man on man. Me and him on the sideline, may the best man win.”

The hit cost Ponder far more than an Atlantic Division loss. He separated his right shoulder and he is out for the rest of the season and needs surgery. Offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher said he expects Ponder back in time for spring drills. Without Ponder, the Noles’ chances at a bowl game fizzle. Florida State must win two of its next three games to avoid its first losing season since 1976.

With one hit, McDaniel took away the best thing the Seminoles had to offer this season, but McDaniel said he didn’t mean to injure Ponder; he was just playing football.

“During the game, I thought it was just a good collision,” McDaniel said. “Then I saw he didn’t come back in, and we just kept playing ball. Afterwards I tried to look for him to try and talk to him, but they had already taken him in. I heard he was out this week, and I want him to get well. I wasn’t trying to injure him or anything, but I knew it was going to be a good collision.”

It was, but was also's Ponder's last.

Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich

Florida State quarterback Christian Ponder will miss the rest of the season with a separated right shoulder he suffered in Saturday's loss to Clemson, a school spokesman said today.

Ponder will need surgery on his throwing shoulder, but offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher expects Ponder will be back in time for spring drills.

Obviously this news is devastating to the Seminoles' chances of reaching a bowl game this year. Ponder was the best reason for optimism this team had. Now, FSU will try to avoid its first losing season since 1976.

Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich

Here they are for Week 10, straight from the conference office in Greensboro:

OFFENSIVE BACK -- C.J. Spiller, Clemson, RB, Sr., 5-11, 195, Lake Butler, Fla. (Union County)

Clemson senior running C.J. Spiller earned his third player of the week nod by rushing for a career-high 165 yards on 22 carries (7.5 yards per rush), hauling in three passes for 67 yards -- including a 58-yard touchdown -- and totaling 71 yards on three kickoff returns in Clemson’s 40-24 win against Florida State. Overall, Spiller totaled a school-record 312 all-purpose yards, which is the top mark in the ACC this season. In addition to his 58-yard touchdown reception, Spiller carried the ball for a 5-yard touchdown run to seal the win for the Tigers, and has scored in all nine of Clemson’s games this season.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN -- Jason Fox, Miami, OT, Sr., 6-7, 314, Fort Worth, Texas (North Crowley)

Miami senior offensive tackle Jason Fox’s second offensive lineman of the week honor came after he helped anchor an offensive line that made space for a Hurricane offense that piled up season-highs of 515 yards and 268 rushing yards in Miami’s 52-17 win over visiting Virginia. Fox graded out at 98 percent, had five pancake blocks and did not allow a sack.

DEFENSIVE LINEMAN -- Robert Quinn, North Carolina, DE, So., 6-5, 270, Ladson, S.C. (Ft. Dorchester)

North Carolina sophomore defensive end Robert Quinn found his way into the Blue Devil backfield for three sacks, another 1.5 tackles for loss, and six quarterback hurries in the Tar Heels’ 19-6 win over Duke. Quinn had seven total tackles, a forced fumble and a fourth-down pass breakup to lead the North Carolina defense in limiting Duke’s potent passing attack to 113 yards and giving up just 125 yards overall. Quinn is ranked fifth nationally with 15.5 tackles for loss and sixth with 10.0 sacks.

DEFENSIVE BACK -- Cody Grimm, Virginia Tech, OLB, Sr., 5-11, 202, Fairfax, Va. (Oakton)

Virginia Tech senior outside linebacker Cody Grimm took his second defensive back of the week honor after helping the Hokies' defensive cause with a game-high 12 tackles, including seven solo stops and a late-game sack in Virginia Tech’s 16-3 win against East Carolina. Additionally, Grimm forced a fumble that he recovered deep in Pirate territory, and broke up a pass as Virginia Tech limited East Carolina’s offense to just 277 yards

SPECIALIST -- Torrey Smith, Maryland, WR, So., 6-1, 200, Colonial Beach, Va. (Stafford)

Maryland sophomore wide receiver Torrey Smith was honored as the specialist of the week for the second time in 2009 after he returned a kickoff 82 yards for a touchdown -- his second this season and third of his career -- to set the Terrapin record for career kickoff returns for touchdowns in a 38-31 loss to NC State. Smith totaled 268 all-purpose yards, a career-high 204 of which came on kickoff returns. With three games to play, Smith already owns the league’s single-season record with 1,113 kickoff return yards, breaking his own record which he set last season (1,089), and currently sits in fourth place all-time in ACC history with 2,202 kickoff return yards.

ROOKIE -- Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech, RB, Fr. 5-9, 205, Manassas, Va. (Stonewall Jackson)

Virginia Tech freshman running back Ryan Williams earned his sixth rookie of the week accolade as he became the first running back in the ACC to eclipse the 1,100-yard mark this season with a season-high 179 rushing yards on 26 carries (6.9 yards per rush) against East Carolina. Williams’ sixth 100-yard rushing performance of 2009 was just the second against the Pirate defense this season. He also caught three passes for 9 yards. This season, Williams is leading all ACC ball carriers with 1,109 rushing yards. Only two former ACC freshmen have won as many or more rookie honors, as NC State’s Philip Rivers was named rookie of the week eight times in 2000, and North Carolina’s Darian Durant earned six awards in 2001.

Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich

The only ACC game time that has been announced for Sat., Nov. 21 was Duke at Miami (ESPN2 or ESPNU, 12 p.m. ET)

ABC/ESPN has exercised its final six-day option of the 2009 season on the following games with the gametimes and networks to be announced no later than 12 p.m. ET on Sunday, Nov. 15:

North Carolina at Boston College

Virginia at Clemson

Maryland at Florida State

NC State at Virginia Tech

Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich

Time is running out to become bowl eligible. But hey, if Maryland can still pull it off, anyone can ...

• If there is one program an eight-team playoff would help right now, writes the AJC's Mark Bradley, it's Georgia Tech.
• Boston College is well-rested -- and healthier -- after its bye week heading into the game at Virginia.
• Clemson is now ranked, and the Tigers are confident. That's thanks in large part to coach Dabo Swinney's ability to get them to believe.
• Miami has plenty of incentive heading into Saturday's game at North Carolina, starting with the fact the Canes have never won in Chapel Hill. Ever.
• Maryland quarterback Chris Turner is questionable for Saturday's game against Virginia Tech with a knee injury he suffered at NC State.
• The Terps aren't the only ones with quarterback woes. FSU now turns to E.J. Manuel at the expense of injured starter Christian Ponder.
• No Shaun Draughn? No problem.
• Might Virginia Tech running back Darren Evans make an appearance in the bowl game? Possible, not probable, but what a comeback he's made so far.
• NC State finally had a reason to celebrate. It's been so long they almost forgot how to do it.
• Virginia, on the other hand, didn't get the chance to celebrate -- again. The Cavaliers have now lost 10 of their past 13 games.

Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich

So close, yet so far away.

No. 7 Georgia Tech is the nation's top one-loss team, and yet it might as well be ranked No. 25 for how realistic its chances are at playing for the national title.

I checked in with ESPN's BCS guru, Brad Edwards, to see what would need to happen in order for Georgia Tech to sneak in, and Edwards wrote in an e-mail this morning that it's an unlikely scenario, and at least five of the six undefeated teams in front of Georgia Tech would have to lose. Edwards doesn't think Georgia Tech will surpass TCU, Cincinnati or Boise State unless those teams lose.

It's unfortunate for Georgia Tech that it doesn't have a meaningful game late in the season, and that a win over a 5-4 Georgia team would do little to boost the Jackets in the BCS standings. Florida, Alabama and Texas are the main programs standing in everyone else's way right now, and the odds are in favor of a Texas vs. SEC champ matchup in the most meaningful game of the season.

By finishing the season with just one loss, though, Paul Johnson has proven in just his second season that, yes, Georgia Tech can be a national title contender with him at the helm.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Heather Dinich

Brace yourself. There could be a first this weekend in the ACC. With three weeks still remaining in the regular season, it’s possible the ACC could know who will be playing in the conference championship game by the last snap on Saturday. Since the ACC title game has existed, this race has always gone down to the last or second-to-last weekend in at least one of the divisions.

Clemson could clinch the Atlantic Division this weekend IF the Tigers beat NC State AND Boston College loses at Virginia. Georgia Tech can clinch the Coastal Division by beating Duke in Durham, as it’s the Jackets’ last conference game.

Boston College still has a chance to win the Atlantic Division, but the Eagles need Clemson to lose again. Right now the Tigers hold the head-to-head tiebreaker. If Georgia Tech loses, things could get rather confusing again in the Coastal Division, and the tiebreaker scenario would depend upon how many teams finish with two losses. There could be as many as three, and we could revert back to that old scenario we were discussing a few weeks back, with Georgia Tech, Miami and Virginia Tech all in the running.

For now, though, let’s stick with what we know -- it’s Clemson’s and Georgia Tech’s trip to Tampa to lose.

Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich

It's almost that time. Join me at noon ET today for the weekly live chat. You can get your questions in early or stop by later to review this past weekend's ACC games and look ahead. Can Clemson really get to the Orange Bowl? Hmmm ... See you there.

Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich

For the second straight week, the top five teams in the ACC held onto their positions. That has to be a first. It’s no coincidence that those five teams are the ACC’s only bowl-eligible teams so far. There were a few other tweaks, but nothing drastic:

1. Georgia Tech (9-1, 6-1 ACC; LW: No. 1) -- The Yellow Jackets continue to find a way to win, and pulled out a close one in overtime against Wake Forest. They’ve now won seven straight and have earned the No. 7 ranking in the BCS standings. Paul Johnson is looking at an 11-win season, if not better.

2. Miami (7-2, 4-2; LW: No. 2) -- The Hurricanes returned to their September form in the second half of their 52-17 romp over Virginia and remain one of the country’s best teams. Now that the Canes are No. 14 in the BCS standings, they qualify to be invited to a BCS bowl. It’s more likely, though, that they wind up facing Notre Dame in the Gator Bowl, especially if Georgia Tech heads to the Orange Bowl.

3. Virginia Tech (6-3, 3-2; LW: No. 3) -- It wasn’t pretty, but Virginia Tech’s 16-3 win over East Carolina helped the Hokies shake off back-to-back Coastal Division losses that changed their season. A 10-win season is still possible, and the Hokies should pick up another win on Saturday in College Park against a struggling Maryland team. There is still room for improvement with Virginia Tech on both sides of the ball.

4. Clemson (6-3, 4-2; LW: No. 4) -- The Tigers’ toughest opponents are behind them, but now they have to avoid getting knocked off track, and NC State has the potential to be the spoiler this week. Clemson will need to keep C.J. Spiller healthy this week, as his hip and toe were bothering him after the FSU game, but he said he’d be good to go for Saturday.

5. Boston College (6-3, 3-2; LW: No. 5) --The Eagles had a bye week, and are still waiting for Clemson to screw up down the stretch. A second-place finish in the Atlantic Division would hardly be considered a disappointment, though, after all of the adversity this program has had to overcome.

6. North Carolina (6-3, 2-3; LW: No. 8) -- The Tar Heels have taken a step forward each of the past two weeks, and the defense is finally getting just enough help out of the offense. Despite its losing record in conference play, UNC is capable of an upset this weekend against Miami because of its defense and home-field advantage.

7. Duke (5-4, 3-2; LW: No. 6) -- It’s not over yet for the Blue Devils, but it’s not going to get any easier, either, as Georgia Tech is up next, followed by Miami. Duke quarterback Thaddeus Lewis is motivated by getting his team to the postseason, and the Yellow Jackets’ defense should have some confidence after making good adjustments against Wake quarterback Riley Skinner.

8. Wake Forest (4-6, 2-4; LW: No. 9) -- If there’s one team in the conference that is better than its record indicates, this is it. The Deacs have the numbers they need everywhere but the scoreboard, and unfortunately for them, that’s where it counts. They get a break this week against an FSU team that will be missing starting quarterback Christian Ponder.

9. Florida State (4-5, 2-4; LW: No. 7) -- Without Ponder, the Noles are all but doomed. He’s been the one bright spot for this team on and off the field, and now, with a separated shoulder, he’s become a part of the team’s bad news. A bowl season now seems unlikely. The only good news? E.J. Manuel will get some valuable experience for the future.

10. Virginia (3-6, 2-3; LW: No. 10) -- The Cavaliers have nullified their three-game winning streak with a three-game losing streak, and appear to be headed for their second straight bowl-less season under coach Al Groh. The question is whether athletic director Craig Littlepage will do anything about it this time.

11. NC State (4-5, 1-4; LW: No. 12) --The Pack started their mini four-game season with a 1-0 record against Maryland, and now they needs to keep it up against Clemson in order to keep their bowl hopes alive. It’s certainly not out of the question, but if the Tigers’ defense could fluster Ponder, they’ll be able to pressure Russell Wilson, too.

12. Maryland (2-7, 1-4; LW: No. 11) -- Hapless and hopeless it seems, though technically, if the stars align and the Atlantic Division implodes, the Terps could still work their way into the championship game. It’s more than a stretch, but hey, these guys needs something to keep them going.

Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich

UNC tailback Shaun Draughn fractured his left shoulder blade (scapula) on the first play from scrimmage in Carolina’s 19-6 win over Duke on Saturday and will miss the remainder of the season, the school announced Sunday.

Draughn started all nine games this season and is Carolina’s leading rusher with 567 yards on 124 carries. He ranks seventh in the league with 63.0 yards per game.

Draughn will be missed, but Carolina fans can take solace in the performance Ryan Houston had against the Blue Devils. Draughn, who was usually used as the team's short-yardage back, ran for a career-high 164 yards against Duke. The question now is whether he can consistently perform like that, because that's what the Tar Heels will need him to do, starting next weekend against Miami.

Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich

Saturday, Nov. 14

Previously announced:

Virginia Tech at Maryland, (ESPN360.com, 1 p.m. ET)

Boston College at Virginia, (ESPN360.com, 3:30 p.m. ET)

Released today:

Clemson at NC State, (Raycom, 12 p.m. ET)

Georgia Tech at Duke, (ESPN2, 12 p.m. ET)

Florida State at Wake Forest, (ESPNU, 12 p.m. ET)

Miami at North Carolina, (ABC/ESPN*, 3:30 p.m. ET)

Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich

Florida State quarterback Christian Ponder will miss the Wake Forest game next Saturday with a separated right throwing shoulder he suffered after tossing his fourth interception of the game in the Seminoles' 40-24 loss to Clemson on Saturday night, a school spokesman said.

Ponder will have an X-ray on Monday, but it's not clear if he will miss the rest of the season.

E.J. Manuel is the next man up, and while Manuel has the hype and raw talent, he doesn't have the experience of Wake veteran quarterback Riley Skinner. Manuel was 0-for-2 passing against Clemson. This injury is extremely significant, as both Wake Forest and Florida State will be playing for bowl eligibility on Saturday. The Demon Deacons have no more margin for error. They need to win their final two games to reach six wins. Florida State has three more tries to win two more games, but the Noles close the season with rival Florida.

Wake Forest, which has lost four games by three points each this year -- including two in overtime -- and suffered a one-point loss to Miami, has been desperate for a break, and it just got one. Unfortunately, it came at the expense of one of the ACC's best quarterbacks.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Heather Dinich

The ACC finished Week 10 with five teams bowl eligible -- Clemson, Boston College, Georgia Tech, Miami and Virginia Tech. The conference also got one other answer: it’s mathematically impossible for Maryland (2-7) to make it to the postseason.

There are still some lingering hopes, though, and they’re mainly in the Atlantic Division, where Wake Forest, NC State and Florida State can still extend their seasons. The catch is, Wake and FSU play each other this weekend, and the Demon Deacons can’t afford another loss. Florida State can, but that would mean it must beat rival Florida in the regular-season finale.

In the Coastal Division, Duke’s chances decreased with its loss to North Carolina on Saturday, but it’s not over yet for the Blue Devils. They need to find two more wins with Georgia Tech, Miami and Wake Forest remaining. Virginia (3-6) needs to win out, and North Carolina (6-3) is one win away with opportunities remaining against Miami, Boston College and NC State.

At this point, I’m counting out Maryland, Duke, Florida State, NC State and Virginia. That's right, the Demon Deacons need some love, and I'm gonna give it to them.

Here are the latest bowl projections for the ACC:

FedEx Orange Bowl: Clemson vs. BCS at large

Chick-fil-A Bowl: Virginia Tech vs. SEC

Gator Bowl: Georgia Tech or Miami vs. Big East or Notre Dame

Champs Sports Bowl: Georgia Tech or Miami vs. Big Ten

Music City Bowl: North Carolina vs. SEC

Meineke Car Care Bowl: Wake Forest vs. Big East

Emerald Bowl: Boston College vs. Pac-10

EagleBank Bowl: N/A

GMAC Bowl: N/A

Posted by ESPN.com’s Heather Dinich

Live and learn ...

1. Clemson has gotten over the hump. Admit it, Clemson fans, you were waiting for it -- the self-destruction following the win over Wake Forest. There were hints against Miami, and plenty of missed opportunities against Florida State, but the Tigers have been able to overcome their mistakes this year and put themselves in prime position to win the Atlantic Division and play for the ACC championship. Their toughest opponents are behind them -- and so is their one "Clemson flop." It came against Maryland. You can stop waiting for it now.

2. Even the best quarterbacks can’t do it alone. Riley Skinner. Thaddeus Lewis. Christian Ponder. Three of the ACC’s most productive, efficient passers and leaders all lost this past weekend. It certainly wasn’t for lack of effort. Skinner couldn’t shake Georgia Tech defensive end Derrick Morgan. Lewis got tied up with UNC defensive end Robert Quinn. And Ponder threw as many interceptions (four) as he had all season. All three of them are still searching for bowl eligibility, but for seniors Skinner and Lewis, it’s their last chance at the postseason.

3. C.J. Spiller is a Heisman Trophy candidate. For the second time in three weeks, Spiller had more than 300 all-purpose yards. He surpassed the 3,000-yard mark with 3,074 career rushing yards. Against Florida State, he earned his first two-point conversion of his career. He breaks a record literally almost every week. Against FSU he became just the second player in school history to go over 3,000 yards rushing and 1,000 yards receiving. He moved ahead of Reggie Bush on the all-time NCAA all-purpose list with 6,702 yards. He rushed for a career-high 165 yards, and had his 20th career touchdown of 50 yards more, his eighth this season. Spiller is one of the best players in college football. Period.

4. Bowl fates still murky in the Atlantic Division. Clemson is eligible. BC is eligible. NC State, Florida State and Wake Forest are still livin’ on a prayer. Maryland, however, is not. The Terps needed to win out and not only did they lose the game to NC State, their starting quarterback, Chris Turner, suffered a knee injury in the process. It’s time for Maryland to start playing for the future, while half the Atlantic Division is still trying to become bowl eligible. With its overtime loss at Georgia Tech, the Deacs now have to win out in order to become bowl eligible, as does NC State. The Seminoles only need two more wins, but their season finale is against Florida, who, like Clemson, has a defense. The twist? FSU and Wake play each other on Saturday. Somebody’s gotta lose.

5. Paul Johnson is fearless. We always knew he was a fourth-down kind of guy, and you don’t need to talk to him long to sense his confidence that often tilts the scale toward arrogance. But those traits are the keys to his success. His players pick up on it, and that’s why, on fourth down, when it’s on the line, he wins.