Some of Virginia Tech's future opponents struggled in Week 4. One that definitely didn't just so happens to be their next opponent, NC State. The Pack were probably the only future opponent that looked good on offense and defense. Some excelled on defense, like Miami and North Carolina, while others saw better performances from their offense, like Virginia and Central Michigan. Then there was Duke and Wake Forest ...
Sept. 6 vs. Boise State (3-0, 0-0 WAC)
Week 4: Boise State 37, Oregon State 24
Week 5: at New Mexico State
OBNUG: BSU's stars come up big
Blue Turf Nation: Broncos looks sloppy under spotlight
Building the Dam: Rodgers brothers bottled up
Sept. 11 vs. James Madison (3-0, 0-0 CAA)
Week 4: James Madison 10, Liberty 0
Week 5: vs. Delaware
JMU Sports Blog: D-line smothers LU run game
Sept. 18 vs. East Carolina (2-1, 0-0 CUSA)
Week 4: Bye Week
Week 5: at North Carolina
Oct. 2 at NC State (4-0, 1-0 ACC)
Week 4: NC State 45, Georgia Tech 28
Week 5: vs. Virginia Tech
The Pack are now the lone unbeaten team in the ACC and they looked impressive in their win in Atlanta.
The offense continued to improve, amassing 527 yards, as Russell Wilson completed nearly 70 percent of his passes at 9.0 yards per attempt for three touchdowns. On the ground, Dean Haynes and Mustafa Greene averaged 4.6 yards per carry.
The defense kept Georgia Tech in long-yardage situations and only allowed four conversions on 14 third-down attempts. Nate Irving had arguably his best game (which is saying a lot), recording a career-high 16 tackles, 4.5 for loss, including two sacks.
NC State is firing on all cylinders going into its home game against the Hokies.
Backing the Pack: Defense quietly impressive
State Fans Nation: Pack have to beat VT
Oct. 9 vs. Central Michigan (2-2, 1-1 MAC)
Week 4: Northwestern 30, Central Michigan 25
Week 5: vs. Ball State
The Chips hung with Northwestern for the first half, but gave up the first 17 points of the second half and fell short. While neither team was able to get much going in the run-game, Ryan Radcliff had one of his better passing days as CMU's QB.
Radcliffe completed 29 of 43 attempts for 347 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Both interceptions led to Northwestern touchdowns, including one in the third quarter deep in Chippewa territory. Defensively, the Chips continued to do well against the run and get burned through the air.
FireUpChips.org: Secondary lets CMU down
Hustle Belt: Chips need to cut-down on costly miscues
Sippin on Purple: Wildcats outclass CMU
Oct. 16 vs. Wake Forest (2-2, 1-1 ACC)
Week 4: Florida State 31, Wake Forest 0
Week 5: vs. Georgia Tech
The Deac offense, which was its one bright spot to start the season, averaged 2.5 yards per carry and gave up six sacks. Remember Ted Stachitas? He returned and may have been Wake's best player. He averaged 6.1 yards per carry on non-sacks and completed all five of his pass attempts.
Blogger So Dear: Few bright spots for Deacs
Tomahawk Nation: Noles work on passing game
Oct. 23 vs. Duke (1-3, 0-1 ACC)
Week 4: Army 35, Duke 21
Week 5: at Maryland
Duke scored two scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns to avoid a complete embarrassment against the surprisingly 3-1 Black Knights. Duke committed five turnovers that led to 28 points and forced none.
Were the Blue Devils worn down from facing Alabama, possibly the most physical team in college football, the week before? Perhaps. We'll know for sure depending on how they play against Maryland whether Alabama beat them twice or if it's the same old Duke we know and love this year.
Blue Devil Nation: Turnovers costly for Duke
Duke Basketball Report: Duke hung over from Alabama game
Nov. 4 vs. Georgia Tech (2-2, 1-1 ACC)
Week 4: NC State 45, Georgia Tech 28
Week 5: at Wake Forest
The Yellow Jacket defense gave up seven scores (six TDs) in 10 possessions at one point and forced only three punts against the Wolfpack offense. As Winfield said (link below), the Jackets personnel just doesn't fit Al Groh's 3-4 defense right now.
On offense, Georgia Tech was victimized by Nate Irving who was an absolute beast. Irving was able to bust through the Jackets' interior line and get to Nesbitt before plays could develop. It forced the Jackets into a lot of third-and-long situations. On the Jackets' first five possessions, three were three-and-outs and two more ended on fumbles.
Against UNC, the Jackets were able to control the clock and had one drive of over 10 minutes. Against NC State, no drive lasted longer than 5:41. NC State offered a blue print on how to hold down the Jacket offense. Of course, following it is a lot easier said than done. It takes fantastic performances by the linebacking corps, similar to what you saw from Irving to do to the Jackets what the Pack did and an off-night from Nesbitt.
From the Rumble Seat: GT doesn't have personnel for 3-4 D
Barrel of Rum: Nesbitt's poor game puts O behind
Nov. 13 at North Carolina (1-2, 0-1 ACC)
Week 4: North Carolina 17, Rutgers 13
Week 5: vs. East Carolina
UNC's defense showed no signs of being worn down by Georgia Tech's offense the previous week as they held Rutgers to only a field goal in the final three quarters. As good as Nate Irving was, Bruce Carter may have been better for the Heels.
Carter had seven tackles against Rutgers and added an interception and a blocked punt that set up a field goal to help the Tar Heels avoid falling to 0-3. Offensively, the Heels struggled. They averaged only three yards per carry after having success on the ground against GT. TJ Yates completed 22 of 33 passes for 204 yards as he had to check down often to his running back and tight end.
Carolina March: Offense frustrating again
Tar Heel Fan: Carter causes chaos
Nov. 20 at Miami (2-1, 0-0 ACC)
Week 4: Miami 31, Pittsburgh 3 (Sept. 23)
Week 5: at Clemson
Jacory Harris was inconsistent on the road again, but played well in the second half to help the Canes pull away from Pitt. He completed 21 of 32 passes for 248 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. He was also sacked twice as the Panthers were able to get pressure on him throughout the game.
The Canes also struggled on the ground, averaging 2.9 yards per carry. It wasn't a dominating performance from Miami, who could have won this game by 50 if they had taken advantage of how atrocious the Pitt offensive line was.
The 7th Floor: Canes in a good place
Eye of the Hurricane: Pitt offense overmatched
Canespace: Miami exorcises road demons
Cardiac Hill: Pitt's season not over
Pitt Blater: Miami's errors kept it closer
Pitt Script: Players and fans frustrated
Nov. 27 vs. Virginia (2-1, 0-0 ACC)
Week 4: Virginia 48, VMI 7
Week 5: vs. Florida State
The Hoos returned from their bye week and whipped VMI out of the Southern Conference. They gave up some big plays through the air, but for the most part held down the Keydet offense.
When UVa was on offense, it was only able to manage 3.5 yards per carry against a very poor FCS defense, but three quarterbacks combined for 341 passing yards and five touchdowns through the air.
From Old Virginia: Running game a cause for concern
Dear Old UVa: D still giving up big plays
Streaking the Lawn: Hoos cruise thanks to QBs