Around the ACC: Week 7 (Football)
Last week’s top-10 matchup between the No. 7 Miami Hurricanes and No. 1 Clemson Tigers on primetime television didn't exactly live up to the hype as many thought it would. The Tigers totally outmatched the Hurricanes, winning by a final score of 42-17.
Miami simply could not handle the impressive output of talent that the Clemson offense has to offer. Their offense was held only to 210 total yards and Quarterback D’Eriq King threw 2 interceptions in a loss to the top ranked team in the nation. Their defense didn't do much either, allowing 550 total yards and almost 300 of those yards coming from the Tiger’s passing attack.
Clemson’s offense and defense were firing on all cylinders yet again, led by Heisman candidates Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne. Lawrence threw for 292 yards and three touchdowns, while Etienne rushed 17 times for 149 yards and two touchdowns en route to his best performance of the year and yet another Clemson win.
Looking ahead for the top-ranked Tigers, they will head to Atlanta this weekend to face a 2-2 Georgia Tech team. Be sure to look for more Heisman worthy performances from Lawrence and Etienne, as this team shows no signs of slowing down.
As for the now No. 13 ranked Hurricanes, they move on to play Pitt this weekend at home. Pitt is coming into this weekend after a heart wrenching 31-30 overtime loss to Boston College last Saturday. It will be interesting to see how both teams can bounce back after tough losses.
In South Bend this weekend, the No. 4 Notre Dame Fighting Irish will play host to a subpar Louisville team who has yet to win a game against a conference opponent.
Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book and running back Kyren Williams are looking to keep them undefeated as they play in front of their home crowd. Williams is hoping to continue his great rushing performances, as he has rushed for 359 yards and 4 touchdowns in the last three games.
The ACC’s primetime game this weekend will see the 1-3 Florida State Seminoles hosting the No. 5 ranked North Carolina Tar Heels.
The Seminoles will have to attack the Tar Heels defense, who allowed almost 500 yards last week against Virginia Tech, if they want any chance at winning. This will be no easy feat as top wideout Tamorrion Terry will be out after undergoing knee surgery this week and quarterback Jordan Travis sustained a minor injury last week, but is expected to play this week. They will need more production from a plethora of players on that team immediately if they want to outscore the Tar Heels.
The undefeated Tar Heels have their first top-five ranking since 1997 and are led by one of the best quarterbacks in the nation with Sam Howell under center. In the backfield accompanying Howell is senior running back Michael Carter who had 214 yards and two touchdowns last week against Virginia Tech.
This high octane offense has kept them on top of the scoreboard in all of their games this year and subsequently, near the top of the AP poll as well.
Other ACC teams in action this week include Syracuse hosting Liberty, Duke at NC State, Virginia at Wake Forest and Boston College at No. 23 Virginia Tech.
Charlie Murray is a freshman majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email charliemurray175@gmail.com
