The ACC schedule makers did no favors for the Hokies in 2010, giving them four games against Coastal division rivals to end the regular season. But they're not the only Coastal teams with a rough stretch run. Miami and Georgia Tech will face off in November and North Carolina has to take a trip to Tallahassee before hosting the Hokies.
It will likely be an exciting race for the Coastal division crown this November, something that historically will benefit Virginia Tech. But the Hokies will need a lot more November magic in order to make their fourth trip to the ACCCG in six seasons. After the jump, a team-by-team look at the November schedule and how teams have performed historically in the month.
Duke Blue Devils
November Schedule
Nov. 6: at UVA
Nov. 13: vs. BC
Nov. 20: at GT
Nov. 27: vs. UNC
Opponent Breakdown
Coastal: 3
Atlantic: 1
OOC: 0
Home: 2
Away: 2
Record vs. ACC in November Since Divisional Play Began in 2005
0-18 (.000), 0-4 last year
Analysis
Duke gets its best chance at a conference win in its first game in November against Virginia, who the Blue Devils have beaten two consecutive years. If the Blue Devils want to go to a bowl game, they're going to have to start winning in November. They had a shot at one last year before losing their last four games. With their last game coming at home against UNC, will the Blue Devils have an opportunity to play spoiler and keep the Tar Heels from reaching the ACCCG the last week of the regular season?
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
November Schedule
Nov. 4: at VT
Nov. 13: vs. MIA
Nov. 20: vs. DUKE
Nov. 27: at UGA
Opponent Breakdown
Coastal: 3
Atlantic: 0
OOC: 1
Home: 2
Away: 2
Record vs. ACC in November Since Divisional Play Began in 2005
11-3 (.786), 2-0 last year
Analysis
The Yellow Jackets are one of two Coastal teams who face out of conference opponents the last week of the regular season. Last year, they took an early lead in the Division by beating Virginia Tech and were able to close it out in November. The Jackets, Hokies and Devils all play at least three division opponents in 2010 and will have a chance to get used to their 3-4 defense before having to play Virginia Tech and Miami to start November.
Miami Hurricanes
November Schedule
Nov. 6: vs. UMD
Nov. 13: at GT
Nov. 20: vs. VT
Nov. 27: vs. USF
Opponent Breakdown
Coastal: 2
Atlantic: 1
OOC: 1
Home: 3
Away: 1
Record vs. ACC in November Since Divisional Play Began in 2005
8-11 (.421), 2-1 last year
Analysis
Miami struggled down the stretch in conference play in 2006 and 2007, combining to go 1-7 in November. The Canes have turned it around lately, going 4-3 the last two years. They get a very winnable home game against Maryland before facing a tough two games at Georgia Tech and at home against Virginia Tech. Like the Yellow Jackets, they can put pressure on other teams by winning early since they end the season with a non-conference game.
North Carolina Tar Heels
November Schedule
Nov. 6: at FSU
Nov. 13: vs. VT
Nov. 20: vs. NCSU
Nov. 27: at DUKE
Opponent Breakdown
Coastal: 2
Atlantic: 2
OOC: 0
Home: 2
Away: 2
Record vs. ACC in November Since Divisional Play Began in 2005
11-8 (.579), 3-1 last year
Analysis
The Tar Heels have the toughest game against an Atlantic team in November of any of the Coastal teams. They open the month with a tough game at Florida State the Heels will have the advantage of having already played Georgia Tech and Miami going into November. If the Heels can win and get the tie-breaker against both they'll have a big advantage going down the stretch.
Virginia Cavaliers
November Schedule
Nov. 6: at DUKE
Nov. 13: vs. UMD
Nov. 20: at BC
Nov. 27: at VT
Opponent Breakdown
Coastal: 2
Atlantic: 2
OOC: 0
Home: 1
Away: 3
Record vs. ACC in November Since Divisional Play Began in 2005
4-13 (.235), 0-4 last year
Analysis
The Hoos have lost nine consecutive November games against ACC opponents dating back to 2007. While they may not be considered a contender in the Coastal, they could potentially play spoiler at Virginia Tech the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Virginia is the only Coastal team that has to go on the road three times in November, but they have two very winnable games against Duke and Maryland to start the month.
Virginia Tech Hokies
November Schedule
Nov. 4: vs. GT
Nov. 13: at UNC
Nov. 20: at MIA
Nov. 27: vs. UVA
Opponent Breakdown
Coastal: 4
Atlantic: 0
OOC: 0
Home: 2
Away: 2
Record vs. ACC in November Since Divisional Play Began in 2005
15-2 (.882), 3-0 last year
Analysis
The Hokies' only two November losses against ACC teams since joining the conference have come against Miami. Sure enough, they will have to make a trip to Sun Life Stadium on Nov. 20, a place they lost on a Thursday night in November two years ago. In my opinion the Hokies face the Coastal's toughest November gauntlet with four intradivision games including back to back on the road against UNC and Miami. If they survive all three, they may have a trip to Charlotte clinched before the Hoos come to town.
Observations
Because Georgia Tech and Miami face non-conference foes and North Carolina and Virginia Tech play team that aren't considered ACC contenders, the odds are the Coastal champ will be decided before Thanksgiving. With the Hokies as the only team facing the other three Coastal contenders in November, Tech could be in control of its own destiny going down the stretch. Meanwhile, the Tar Heels have two games against Atlantic opponents, including one at FSU that could be an X-factor in the division race.