Va. Tech looks to pull off upset
Hokies are hosting defending national champs Clemson.
Things to watch in the Atlantic Coast Conference in Week 5:
GAME OF THE WEEK: No. 2 Clemson at No. 12 Virginia Tech. In a possible preview of the ACC championship game, the Tigers (4-0, 2-0) visit the Hokies (4-0) in what shapes up as tough tests for each team’s firstyear starting quarterback. Kelly Bryant and Clemson will try to solve Bud Foster’s traditionally tough defense, which feeds off the raucous Lane Stadium crowd, while redshirt freshman Josh Jackson and the Hokies will look for cracks in a Tigers unit that has held three of four opponents to seven or fewer points while averaging four sacks per game.
Clemson got all it could handle from Boston College, which battled them to a 7-all tie entering the fourth quarter last week. Clemson eventually pulled away by rushing for four touchdowns in a 34-7 win that again showed their ability to answer challenges.
“It used to be a really big deal, a once or twice a season kind of thing,” Tigers co-offensive coordinator Jeff Scott said of Clemson preparing for a big game. “Now, it’s just kind of becoming the expectation. Coach (Dabo) Swinney does a great job of reminding our guys, ‘Hey, this is the biggest game of the year only because it’s our next game.’ It has nothing to do with any of that other stuff.”
Th e re ’sn o f e a r i n t h e Hokies after falling 42-35 to Clemson in last year’s ACC title game. The Hokies were driving toward a possible tie before a fourth-down interception at the Tigers’ 23 left them with a TD short and motivated to contend again.
Virginia Tech coach Justin Fuente isn’t getting caught up in the hype, saying: “It’s a great opportunity for us to play a fantastic football team.”
BEST MATCHUP: Florida State’s offense vs. Wake Forest’s defense. The Seminoles (0-2, 0-1) are looking to get back on track in the second career start for freshman QB James Blackman (Glades Central), who has yet to throw an interception but also only has one touchdown pass (in only one start). Offensive lineman Cole Minshew
says the Seminoles are trying to “make a statement” and “show everyone we’re not just some scrub team.” The Demon Deacons (4-0, 1-0) — who have opened with four wins for the second straight year — allow only 11.5 points per game.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS: Duke’s David Cutcliffe joined an exclusive club among ACC coaches with the Blue Devils’ victory last week over North Carolina. Cutcliffe became the sixth active ACC coach with at least 100 career victories. Georgia Tech’s Paul Johnson is the winningest active coach in the league with 179, followed by Miami’s Mark Richt (156), Louisville’s Bobby Petrino (112), Wake Forest’s Dave Clawson (107) and Virginia’s Bronco Mendenhall (104).