After a week's hiatus due to laziness, our look at how our future foes fared returns.
The quarterbacks at UNC, Miami and Virginia all looked good last week. One set a school passing record, one showed maturity beyond his years in the clutch and the other overcame early mistakes to light up the field. They all did their fair share to help their teams win on Saturday.
However, one of them watched their defense give up 55 points to Duke. CAN YOU GUESS WHICH ONE???
Sept 6 vs. Boise State (8-0, 4-0 WAC)
Week 10: Boise State 42, Hawaii 7
Week 11: at Idaho (Nov. 12)
OBNUG: Broncos' D steps up
Sept. 11 vs. James Madison (4-5, 1-5 CAA)
Week 10: Richmond 13, James Madison 10 (OT)
Week 11: vs. William and Mary
JMU Sports Blog: Strong defense wasted
Sept. 18 vs. East Carolina (5-4, 4-1 CUSA)
Week 10: Navy 76, East Carolina 35
Week 11: at UAB
Paint It Purple: Fumbles, poor D doom Pirates
Sept. 25 at Boston College (4-5, 2-4 ACC)
Week 10: Boston College 23, Wake Forest 13
Week 11: at Duke
BC Interruption: Harris runs over Deacs
Eagle in Atlanta: BC wins on off day
Soaring to Glory: Future looks good with Rettig
BC Draft: Harris' running makes early statement
Oct. 2 at NC State (6-3, 3-2 ACC)
Week 10: Clemson 14, NC State 13
Week 11: vs. Wake Forest
Backing the Pack: Offensive facepalm
Block-C: Kyle Parker turning into Cullen Harper
Shakin the Southland: Tigers win and regress
Oct. 9 vs. Central Michigan (3-7, 2-5 MAC)
Week 10: Central Michigan 26, Western Michigan 22
Week 11: at Navy
Fire Up Chips: Ball finally bounces CMU's way
FireUpChips.org: Radcliff impressive in win
Oct. 16 vs. Wake Forest (2-7, 1-5 ACC)
Week 10: Boston College 23, Wake Forest 13
Week 11: at NC State
Blogger So Dear: BSD has switched to hoops mode
Oct. 23 vs. Duke (3-6, 1-4 ACC)
Week 10: Duke 55, Virginia 48
Week 11: vs. Boston College
Duke Basketball Report: Improvement showing on field
Blue Devil Nation: Duke wins physical game
Nov. 4 vs. Georgia Tech (5-4, 3-3 ACC)
Week 10: Virginia Tech 28, Georgia Tech 21
Week 11: vs. Miami
From the Rumble Seat: Washington looks capable going forward
Nov. 13 at North Carolina (6-3, 3-2 ACC)
Week 10: North Carolina 37, Florida State 35
Week 11: vs. Virginia Tech
The Tar Heels struggled on the ground, but saw T.J. Yates throw for a school-record 439 yards to lead them to victory. Wide receiver Dwight Jones accounted for 233 of those yards, including a 67-yard touchdown in the first quarter.
Jones has emerged as a home-run threat for the Heels, but he doesn't always do it over the top. Twice this year he's caught short passes, used his big frame to break a tackle and his speed to take it to the end zone. The Hokies' tackling woes could lead to another one of these this week.
On defense, the Heels were able to limit big plays on the ground by the Noles, who had become accustomed to gashing opponents with running backs Jermaine Thomas and Chris Thompson. Against UNC, the Noles averaged only 3.3 ypc. They had better luck through the air, as the Heels gave up 264 passing yards. They have allowed eight touchdown passes in their last three games.
This may be a game where Tyrod Taylor has to take control and lead the Hokies to victory.
Carolina March: Heels escape like '09 vs. VT
Tar Heel Fan: Can't say enough about Yates
Tomahawk Nation: FSU defense hitting the wall
Scalp Em: Loss is nothing new
Nov. 20 at Miami (6-3, 4-2 ACC)
Week 10: Miami 26, Maryland 20
Week 11: at Georgia Tech
Freshman Stephen Morris led an 82-yard drive that resulted in a touchdown pass with :37 left to give the Canes a come-from-behind win over Maryland.
Morris showed poise in the final drive and ended the day 18-for-30 (60.0%) for 286 yards (9.5 ypa), two picks and the final touchdown to Leonard Hankerson. Morris may not have been magnificent until the final drive, but his performance, coupled with his near-comeback against UVa, has some fans clamoring for him to start. That's not happening according to Randy Shannon, who said Jacory Harris will start as soon as he's ready.
Hankerson continues to impress and might be the best receiver in the ACC. If he's not, he's definitely the most reliable in the clutch.
On defense, Miami held UMd to 3.8 ypc and pressured Danny O'Brien throughout. The Canes' defensive front is definitely a tough nut to crack.
Eye of the Hurricane: Let Morris-vs.-Harris debate begin
Canespace: Morris shows leadership
All Canes: Big win for everyone involved
Testudo Times: Maryland lucky to be in game
D1scourse: Young QBs unimpressive
Nov. 27 vs. Virginia (4-5, 1-4 ACC)
Week 10: Duke 55, Virginia 48
Week 11: vs. Maryland
One week after a huge win over Miami, we have this. UVa should have rolled up huge offensive numbers and did against an atrocious Duke defense. But the Hoos' defense failed miserably, especially on Duke's final, desperate drive of the game.
UVa gave up over five yards per carry against Duke, punctuated by Desmond Scott's 35-yard touchdown run to give the Devils the lead for good. It was just a bad, bad game for the Hoo defense.
Some positives? Keith Payne continued to run well and they sacked Sean Renfree five times. Other than that, it's just UVa's third consecutive loss to Duke.
From Old Virginia: Defense officially horrible
Streaking the Lawn: Injuries, penalties, turnovers compound poor D