For the first time in conference history, the ACC won 10 games in the opening week of the season, with its only losses coming to LSU in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff and to Boise State on Labor Day.
It was hardly a disaster, but once again, the ACC failed to deliver against the best competition. Virginia Tech dropped to 1-26 against top 5 teams, and Boise State left Landover, Md., with the Heisman hype and national championship hopes in tow. The Hokies aren't out of the race entirely -- a one-loss team can still play for it all -- but the entire conference schedule still lies ahead, and the odds of escaping it unscathed are slim to none.
North Carolina didn't have anything to be ashamed of in its performance against LSU. It was a depleted team that trailed 31-10 heading into the fourth quarter and gave a gritty effort in what was almost an improbable comeback. It was hard not to wonder just how good this team could have been had it been at full strength. That performance proved, though, that even without numerous key players, North Carolina has the fortitude to be a Coastal Division contender -- if the Tar Heels can continue to ride the emotion wave.
The best news for the ACC was that it avoided any embarrassing losses to FCS teams like it suffered last year to William & Mary and Richmond. Instead, there were convincing wins all through the league, and Virginia won its home opener for the first time since 2005.
Final Week 1 Grade: B. It could have been better, but it definitely could have been a whole lot worse.
It was hardly a disaster, but once again, the ACC failed to deliver against the best competition. Virginia Tech dropped to 1-26 against top 5 teams, and Boise State left Landover, Md., with the Heisman hype and national championship hopes in tow. The Hokies aren't out of the race entirely -- a one-loss team can still play for it all -- but the entire conference schedule still lies ahead, and the odds of escaping it unscathed are slim to none.
North Carolina didn't have anything to be ashamed of in its performance against LSU. It was a depleted team that trailed 31-10 heading into the fourth quarter and gave a gritty effort in what was almost an improbable comeback. It was hard not to wonder just how good this team could have been had it been at full strength. That performance proved, though, that even without numerous key players, North Carolina has the fortitude to be a Coastal Division contender -- if the Tar Heels can continue to ride the emotion wave.
The best news for the ACC was that it avoided any embarrassing losses to FCS teams like it suffered last year to William & Mary and Richmond. Instead, there were convincing wins all through the league, and Virginia won its home opener for the first time since 2005.
Final Week 1 Grade: B. It could have been better, but it definitely could have been a whole lot worse.
Heather Dinich | email
College Football- ESPN.com ACC blogger
- Joined ESPN.com in 2007
- Wrote for The Baltimore Sun
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