In many ways, the ACC's three remaining bubble teams are back to square one. And yes, frequent Watch readers and ACC die-hards will note the use of the term "three." That's because Florida State receives the move into lock territory today; there is simply no way the Seminoles can miss the NCAA tournament at this point. (FSU's first ACC tourney game will come against either Virginia Tech or Georgia Tech; the Noles could lose to either and still look OK in the eyes of the committee.) But Clemson, Boston College and, yes, Virginia Tech all remain squarely on the bubble after last week's respective performances. The ACC tournament will mean everything to these teams, all of which probably need to get more than one win in the conference tourney to feel comfortable about their chances heading toward Selection Sunday.
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Showing posts with label ACC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ACC. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
2011 March Madness: Amile's Bubble Watch - Breaking Down the ACC
Boston College [19-11 (9-7), RPI: 43, SOS: 24] Boston College needed a big win to get back in the thick of the bubble race last week, and while the victory at Virginia Tech wasn't exactly a signature one, it was a win against a fellow bubble team at the most crucial point in the season. Still, BC's only top-50 RPI win was against Texas A&M back in November -- and this team hasn't beaten anyone better than Virginia Tech or Maryland since then. In other words, you would think the Eagles still have a lot to prove to the committee. If (OK, when) they beat Wake Forest in the first round of the ACC tournament, Steve Donahue's team will play a hugely important quarterfinals matchup with Clemson on Friday. A loss there might officially send the Eagles to the NIT. A win would give them another victory over a fellow bubble rival, and it would give them the opportunity to take on North Carolina, a team they very nearly beat in Chapel Hill on Feb. 19.
Clemson [20-10 (9-7), RPI: 58, SOS: 81] A few weeks ago -- heck, even a week ago -- you wouldn't have considered Clemson the most likely of these three teams to get in the tournament. But it's starting to look that way, and Clemson has the Michigan Wolverines to thank. Michigan's surge into tourney contention has given this profile -- which once included Nov. 30's home defeat to the Wolverines as a "bad" loss -- an indirect boost. After Saturday's win over Virginia Tech, the Tigers finished with a nice-if-not-exciting 9-7 record in the ACC, snatching the last first-round ACC tournament bye in the process. Clemson will await the winner of Boston College-Wake Forest -- which, given how putrid Wake has been this year, is almost certain to be BC -- and if Clemson beats the Eagles, it would get yet another top-50 RPI win and another victory over a fellow bubble contender from its own league. Unlike BC and Virginia Tech, getting that one win would almost certainly be enough to get Brad Brownell's surprising, athletic team in the field for good. But Clemson is far from a lock -- a loss could potentially drag it back outside the tournament -- so even if that one win sounds simple enough on paper, it is also a crucial one.
Virginia Tech [19-10 (9-7), RPI: 63, SOS: 96] Selection Sunday just wouldn't feel like Selection Sunday if the Hokies weren't hovering hopefully around the bubble. This has become a bit of a yearly tradition in Blacksburg, and this year -- despite Tech's marquee win over Duke last Saturday -- is no different. That status comes courtesy of the two losses (vs. Boston College, at Clemson) the Hokies suffered in the final week of the regular season, losses that sapped any and all bubble momentum this team built with its court-storm-worthy win over the Blue Devils. The Hokies are now squarely on the bubble yet again, which means they obviously can't afford a first-round ACC tourney loss to Georgia Tech. If Seth Greenberg's inconsistent bunch wins that game, they'll get an excellent chance in the second round vs. Florida State, a team that will have the shine of a sure-thing at-large inclusion, but a team that also happens to be very beatable without forward Chris Singleton. (Though give the Seminoles some credit: They have played admirably without Singleton down the stretch.) In other words: If Tech thinks it deserves to be in the tournament, this week is the time to prove it.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Recap of The Orange Bowl
MIAMI -- John Elway flashed his familiar grin and Jim Harbaugh gave a jubilant shout from the sideline as Andrew Luck sprinted up the field to join a celebration in the end zone.
Nearly a quarter remained in the Orange Bowl, but the Stanford Cardinal (No. 4 BCS, No. 5 AP) were on the way to their first bowl victory in 14 years. And it was a blowout.
Now, the biggest question that remains about the Cardinal is whether their star quarterback and coach are coming back.
Luck, the Heisman Trophy runner-up, threw for 287 yards and four touchdowns Monday night to lead Stanford past Virginia Tech (No. 13 BCS, No. 12 AP), 40-12.
"It's a wonderful way to cap off the season," Luck said. "Couldn't be happier for the Stanford community."
The sophomore turned in a performance reminiscent of Elway, the former Stanford quarterback who is expected to become the Denver Broncos' chief football executive this week. Elway served as honorary captain, and ex-Stanford QB Jim Plunkett also was on hand to lend support.
"As an alum, it's the greatest -- to be able to come down here and watch a great football team," Elway said. "They're well-coached, they played great. Some great players. A big thrill."
When the game ended, two Stanford players lifted Harbaugh on their shoulders and he raised an arm in triumph. The Cardinal (12-1) likely will end the season ranked in the top 5 for the first time since the unbeaten 1940 team finished No. 2.
Their success comes only four years after they went 1-11 and hired Harbaugh as coach to lead a turnaround.
"They've bounced back from some terrible years and put Stanford back on the football map," Plunkett said. "I'm very proud of them."
Virginia Tech (11-3), playing in a bowl game for the 18th consecutive year, fell to 1-27 against top-5 teams.
Stanford threw a completion for a bizarre safety and blew two extra points, but overcame those mistakes with six plays gaining more than 30 yards. Two came in succession on a two-play, 97-yard "drive," and the Cardinal outscored Tech 27-0 in the second half.
"They're really good, and we helped them be good," Hokies coach Frank Beamer said. "There were a couple of long plays against our defense, and then the game got away from us. The thing kind of snowballed."
Tight end Coby Fleener caught scoring passes of 41, 58 and 38 yards from Luck, all in the final 21 minutes. Zach Ertz had a 25-yard TD reception, Jeremy Stewart scored on a 60-yard run and Stepfan Taylor added a 56-yard run. Fullback-linebacker Owen Marecic scored on a 1-yard run and had a sack.
Luck went 18 for 23 and was chosen the most valuable player.
"Andrew Luck is the straw that stirs the drink around here," Harbaugh said.
"I don't think there's anyone better playing right now," Plunkett added.
Fleener had six catches for 173 yards for the Cardinal, who outgained Tech 534-288.
"We came out in the second half and established a rhythm," Luck said. "We were making some uncommon mistakes in the first half. We just went back to blocking, throwing, catching, and it worked out for us."
The game might have been the last at Stanford for Harbaugh and Luck. Harbaugh is expected to be courted by NFL teams and perhaps alma mater Michigan after leading the Cardinal to a school-record win total. Luck is projected as the likely first pick in the draft if he turns pro this year.
"I don't want to make an impulsive decision," Luck said. "I'll enjoy this as long as I can. I know the deadline is coming up, I'll sit down with my parents, weigh the pros and cons and go from there."
When Harbaugh was asked about the possibility he had coached his final game at Stanford, he said: "Oh please, please. Give me a break. Have some respect for the game."
During the trophy ceremony, Stanford fans chanted, "One more year." Elway shared the sentiment, saying he hopes Harbaugh and Luck are back next season.
"No matter what, they both had a great night tonight," Elway said. "Andrew's going to have a great career in the NFL, and Jim's going to have a great career if he stays here or moves on."
Stanford began to pull away by going the length of the field in 29 seconds in the third quarter. After Delano Howell made an interception at the 3 to snuff a Tech threat, Taylor busted loose and reached Hokies territory. On the next play, Luck threw deep to Fleener for a 26-12 lead.
Luck also threw for a safety that cut Stanford's lead to 7-2. His pass was batted backward by Antoine Hopkins to 303-pound offensive tackle Derek Hall, who caught the ball rather than knocking it down and was tackled in the end zone.
"Football can be a very funny game," Luck said. "No point in getting emotionally hijacked over it."
The Hokies' offense had trouble scoring. Tyrod Taylor threw for 222 yards but was held to 22 yards rushing, and Tech twice came away empty after driving inside the Stanford 35.
Taylor's scrambling skills helped the Hokies score their only touchdown. On third-and-goal he rolled left, retreated, spun 180 degrees near the Stanford bench and threw to David Wilson for an 11-yard score.
After the play, Taylor asked Harbaugh if he had stepped on the sideline. Harbaugh told him he hadn't.
Taylor moved the Hokies 60 yards in the final 47 seconds of the first half to set up a 37-yard field goal by Chris Hasley, but they netted only 109 yards in the second half.
"I'm still proud of my boys for this whole season," Tyrod Taylor said. "We had a heck of a season, and it's nothing to hold your head down about right now."
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