Who will win the ACC?

[brady_branch]

The contenders:

Georgia Tech - clinched Coastal division
Wake Forest - tied with Maryland for lead in Atlantic division
Maryland - tied with Wake Forest for lead in Atlantic division
Boston College - one game behind Maryland and Wake Forest in Atlantic division.

Scenarios in which each team wins:

Georgia Tech - wins ACC title game
Wake Forest - defeats Maryland and wins their other game, and defeats Georgia Tech in ACC title game
Maryland - defeats Boston College, Wake Forest, and Georgia Tech in ACC title game
Boston College - defeats Maryland, Maryland defeats Wake Forest, and Wake Forest loses their other game, and Boston College wins their other game, and Boston College defeats Georgia Tech in the ACC title game.

Who do you think will win?

[redlegsfan21]

I think Georgia Tech, first they have the simpliest senario. Second, they have a strong team that no one seems to be mentioning.

Also, I think the Big 10 Championship Game has a better matchup.

[brady_branch]

As much as I want Maryland or BC to do it, I gotta go with Wake Forest. They looked flat-out amazing last night. Or maybe it was just FSU looking flat-out horrible. Hmmm...

Plus, GT lost to Clemson, who lost to Maryland. Maryland also hung with GT, and almost beat them. Wake Forest annihilated an FSU team that beat Miami, who went down to the wire with GT. It'll most likely go to the winner of the UMD-Wake game.

[ATLFalcons]

It'll be Wake and Georgia Tech in the ACC Championship game. I think Wake will prevail because all you have to do is take Calvin Johnson out of the game and there goes the offense.

[SamtheBravesFan]

It'll be Wake and Georgia Tech in the ACC Championship game. I think Wake will prevail because all you have to do is take Calvin Johnson out of the game and there goes the offense.

What, no love for James Johnson or Tashard Choice? Choice was the reason they won against North Carolina. And I think James is better than people think, he's not just "the other Johnson".

If you want to beat GT, you'll have to take out C. Johnson AND Choice. Just do what Clemson did: completely stall the passing game, make Reggie Ball get flustered and GT will have to run most of the time.

[brady_branch]

I think GT is in for a rough time if they play UMD again. The run defense is much improved, and the secondary has always been decent, but Josh Wilson is having an absolutely MONSTER year at CB, and I think he can shut down Johnson. If it ends up looking like that, then I'd actually give the edge to UMD.

[efin98]

Boston College had the inside track to win their division if they beat Wake Forest, but now play spoilers.

Who wins the division and the title(GT ain't gonna win it, sorry), and if BC can upset UMD then Wake Forest wins the division and will go on to win the ACC title. If BC loses UMD will go on to win the division and the title.

[brady_branch]

Remember, UMD and Wake play each other. I'm a little worried about that game. Though I think UMD can beat BC.

[SamtheBravesFan]

I think GT is in for a rough time if they play UMD again. The run defense is much improved, and the secondary has always been decent, but Josh Wilson is having an absolutely MONSTER year at CB, and I think he can shut down Johnson. If it ends up looking like that, then I'd actually give the edge to UMD.

Gee, no kidding. You think I don't realize that? :p

Be that as it may, the thing is still four weeks away or so. Who knows what the heck will happen till then.

[SamtheBravesFan]

Who knows what will happen in the next four weeks, I said. ;)

The four scenarios:

BC wins, WF wins: Wake Forest
BC wins, MD wins: Boston College
UM wins, WF wins: Wake Forest
UM wins, MD wins: Maryland

[brady_branch]

As long as Maryland wins, I'll be very, very happy. A 50% chance of two of my four favorite teams going to a BCS bowl? Awesome!

[efin98]

As long as Maryland wins, I'll be very, very happy. A 50% chance of two of my four favorite teams going to a BCS bowl? Awesome!

So you are cheering for Miami?

[brady_branch]

Nope. Just Maryland. If they win, no matter whether BC loses or wins, BC or UMD will advance. I couldn't be happier. Add that to USC clinching the Pac-10, and I love this season.

[efin98]

Nope. Just Maryland. If they win, no matter whether BC loses or wins, BC or UMD will advance. I couldn't be happier. Add that to USC clinching the Pac-10, and I love this season.

I didn't mean it that way, I just meant are you cheering for Miami to beat BC since it is clear that you want UMD to win.

I am thinking that you do want Miami to win because if they win and UMD wins UMD goes. If they lose and UMD wins, BC goes. So bascially you have to cheer for Miami on top of your cheering for UMD:D



I have to toot my favorite college's horn for a minute: You know what's funny, they have only been in the league two years and both years they have the chance to at least tie or win the Atlantic division title- BC is making themselves known in the ACC in a big way! It was worth paying $5 million to get out of the Big East, they are playing in a much more interesting situation in the ACC!

[brady_branch]

Actually, I don't care which team goes. I root for whichever team has the best shot. So last week, that would've been Maryland. This week, they both have equal shots, but Maryland needs to win. If Maryland wins, then I'm happy. It doesn't matter to me whether BC wins or loses, I'll be equally happy either way.

[SamtheBravesFan]

What matters to me right now is the Georgia-Georgia Tech game, of course. ;) THEN the ACC Championship. :D

[efin98]

Actually, I don't care which team goes. I root for whichever team has the best shot. So last week, that would've been Maryland. This week, they both have equal shots, but Maryland needs to win. If Maryland wins, then I'm happy. It doesn't matter to me whether BC wins or loses, I'll be equally happy either way.

Just admit you are cheering for Miami and get it over with :rolleyes:

[SamtheBravesFan]

Just admit you are cheering for Miami and get it over with :rolleyes:

Heh, he has to be, that's the only way Maryland gets into the ACC Championship, as I said earlier. ;)

[brady_branch]

But what you don't get is that I like Maryland and Boston College equally. If Miami wins, I'm happy because Maryland is going. If BC wins, I'm happy because BC is going. Of course, none of this happens if Maryland loses, so I want them to win. Of course, if Maryland loses, then I'd want Wake to win the ACC championship. Wow, they've switched from being a basketball to a football school real fast.

[football junkie]

Just giving this thread a bump for obvious reasons.

[brady_branch]

If BC loses tonight, BC is out. If they win, Maryland is out. This is a HUGE game for me, and anyone else who follows the ACC.

[efin98]

BC lost, it's now down to the winner of the UMD/Wake Forest game. Winner wins the division and goes on to the title game in Jacksonville, loser goes to a lesser bowl game.

Miami also made themselve bowl-eligible with their win so the ACC will have nine teams in bowl games this year!

[brady_branch]

And who says the ACC is the weakest major conference? :rolleyes:

[efin98]

And who says the ACC is the weakest major conference? :rolleyes:

They aren't the weakest, not by a long shot. They aren't as "good" as the Big 10, Pac 10, or SEC this year(they never will be, idiocy in the media prevents it) but they are well ahead of the Big East by a mile, getting farther ahead of a fading Big 12. They will end up with a BCS bowl win, most likely at least four other bowl wins. I doubt any of the other conferences will claim as good of a record as that after all is said and done.

[redlegsfan21]

The Big 10 could with Ohio St., Michigan, and Wisconsin with a couple of other teams winning.

[brady_branch]

Actually, now that I think about it, which conference has had the most teams ranked in the Top 25 at some point in the season? I think it's the ACC, with eight. (Miami, FSU, Clemson, BC, Wake Forest, Virginia Tech, Maryland, Georgia Tech)

IIRC, the Big Ten has four, albeit two of them are #1 and #2. The SEC might have eight, but I'd think it's more like six or seven. The Pac-10 has no more than five, probably three or four. The Big East has three. The Big 12 might have more, but I think they have five.

[redlegsfan21]

Arizona St.: Pac-10 (20)
Arkansas: SEC (5)
Auburn: SEC (2)
Boise St.: WAC (12)
Boston College: ACC (16)
BYU: MWC (21)
California: Pac-10 (8)
Clemson: ACC (10)
Florida: SEC (2)
Florida St.: ACC (9)
Georgia: SEC (9)
Georgia Tech: ACC (13)
Hawaii: WAC (25)
Iowa: Big 10 (13)
Louisville: Big East (3)
LSU: SEC (6)
Maryland: ACC (21)
Miami: ACC (12)
Michigan: Big 10 (2)
Missouri: Big 12 (19)
Nebraska: Big 12 (17)
Notre Dame: Independent (2)
Ohio St.: Big 10 (1)
Oklahoma: Big 12 (10)
Oregon: Pac 10 (11)
Penn St.: Big 10 (19)
Rutgers: Big East (7)
TCU: MWC (16)
Tennessee: SEC (7)
Texas: Big 12 (2)
Texas A&M: Big 12 (21)
Texas Tech: Big 12 (24)
USC: Pac 10 (3)
Virginia Tech: ACC (11)
Wake Forest: ACC (14)
Washington St.: Pac 10 (25)
West Virginia: Big East (3)
Wisconsin: Big 10 (10)

Conference: # of Teams (# in Top 10 at one point) %
ACC: 8 (2) 67%
Big East: 3 (3) 38%
Big 10: 5 (3) 45%
Big 12: 6 (2) 50%
C-USA: 0 (0) 0%
MAC: 0 (0) 0%
MWC: 2 (0) 22%
Pac 10: 5 (2) 50%
SEC: 6 (6) 50%
SB: 0 (0) 0%
WAC: 2 (0) 22%
Ind: 1 (1) 25%

[brady_branch]

Well, turns out I was nearly exactly right. Funny how all the local columnists are totally anti-merger. They say it's ruined the basketball for football. ACC basketball is as strong as ever, if not stronger with the addition of BC. The football is WAY more competitive, with EIGHT teams ranked in the Top 25 at some point, including each of the three new additions. True, there are still some doormats in both sports, but no teams are weak in both. All in all, the addition of the three teams has definitely helped.

[redlegsfan21]

Well, turns out I was nearly exactly right. Funny how all the local columnists are totally anti-merger. They say it's ruined the basketball for football. ACC basketball is as strong as ever, if not stronger with the addition of BC. The football is WAY more competitive, with EIGHT teams ranked in the Top 25 at some point, including each of the three new additions. True, there are still some doormats in both sports, but no teams are weak in both. All in all, the addition of the three teams has definitely helped.
But the SEC has had 6 teams ranked in the Top 10. I would rather see 6 really good teams than 8 good teams.

[brady_branch]

It's still not the weakest BCS conference. Let's break it down:

ACC:

3 Excellent
3 Very Good
4 Medium
2 Very Poor

SEC:

4 Excellent
1 Very Good
3 Medium
4 Very Poor

based on conference records

[efin98]

But the SEC has had 6 teams ranked in the Top 10. I would rather see 6 really good teams than 8 good teams.

Rankings are a cheap popularity contest. Their records speak more about the teams than their rankings.

[brady_branch]

Well, records speak most about the parity in the conference. Which the ACC has more of than the SEC.

[redlegsfan21]

Lets go to the computers then.
#1 Pac-10 .633
#2 Big East .618
#3 SEC .616
#4 Big Ten .570
#5 ACC .536
#6 Big 12 .523
#7 C-USA .436
#8 WAC .432
#9 MWC .424
#10 MAC .383
#11 SB .357

http://andersonsports.com/football/ACF_frnk.html

[brady_branch]

I don't trust computers that rank the Big East ahead of the SEC.

[redlegsfan21]

It takes into account stregth of schedule and Winning Percentage. The Big East Schedule Strength was .432 to SEC's .399.

[brady_branch]

Then it's contradicting itself.

[redlegsfan21]

In what way.

[brady_branch]

Well, how does it rate schedule strength? Rankings have almost no bearing on how good a team is, and winning percentage is based on strength of schedule. Schedule strength is not a tangible quality; you can't measure it.

[redlegsfan21]

I'm sure you will be happy to know that the new standings are out.
Pac-10 .648
SEC .633
BE .613
B10 .558
B12 .523
ACC .519
WAC .445
C-USA .438
MWC .421
MAC .375
SB .352

I am currently working on a way to fugure this out. There is a definite correlation between the Ratings, Winning Percentage, and Strength of Schedule (figured out by non-conference winning percentage).

[SamtheBravesFan]

Okay, back to the thread subject. This is it:

Georgia Tech
Wake Forest

I say it all depends if the Good Reggie or Bad Reggie shows up.

[brady_branch]

And I say it all depends on whether Georgia Tech's run defense holds or folds. Maryland folded; they lost big. Wake Forest has a freshman at QB. They need to run the ball to win. If GT won't let them, then they will win big. They can still win if they let them run all over them, but it'll be a lot harder, and might come down to special teams, where Wake Forest has a definite edge with Sam Swank, the best kicker/punter in the ACC and perhaps the nation.

[ATLFalcons]

Okay, back to the thread subject. This is it:

Georgia Tech
Wake Forest

I say it all depends if the Good Reggie or Bad Reggie shows up.
That's all it is!!! When Reggie Ball is good, he's very good, and when he's bad, he's very bad. If he comes to play Georgia Tech can win the the game.

[SamtheBravesFan]

And I say it all depends on whether Georgia Tech's run defense holds or folds. Maryland folded; they lost big. Wake Forest has a freshman at QB. They need to run the ball to win. If GT won't let them, then they will win big. They can still win if they let them run all over them, but it'll be a lot harder, and might come down to special teams, where Wake Forest has a definite edge with Sam Swank, the best kicker/punter in the ACC and perhaps the nation.

Sam Swank the best punter in the ACC and the nation??

I have someone I'd like you to meet, his name is Durant Brooks. I don't know if you've heard of him or not. I'd advise you to just say "kicker", lest you look like a doofus. ;)

I'd argue that Georgia Tech has a slight advantage in special teams, because Swank isn't a regular punter. That's it.

[brady_branch]

Does Brooks do both kicking and punting? If he does, he may be able to punt better than Swank, but he can't kick better. Swank is the best kicker in the nation. Oh, and after thinking about it, Adam Podlesh is the best punter in the ACC. He was the main reason UMD beat Miami. Think about it. He doesn't punt the ball so far, it's not fumbled, Miami drives down the field, scores some points, they win. He also runs a 4.4 40. Show me one punter who does that. ;)

Anyway, here's how I'd break it down:

Wake Forest Run Offense vs. Georgia Tech Run Defense: If GT can stop this rushing attack, then they'll have no problem winning. I doubt they can, though. Edge: Wake Forest.

Wake Forest Pass Offense vs. Georgia Tech Pass Defense: Riley Skinner is very talented at handing the ball off. He can also pass very accurately. However, he's a freshman, albeit redshirted. If GT can force him to make bad passes, then they should win. However, Skinner doesn't throw too many picks, so that's a hard task for any team. Edge: Even.

Georgia Tech Run Offense vs. Wake Forest Run Defense: A team that lets Keon Lattimore rush for 119 yards probably won't be able to stop Tashard Choice. Edge: Georgia Tech

Georgia Tech Pass Offense vs. Wake Forest Pass Defense: Reggie Ball is the ultimate wild card. If he's good, then Wake doesn't have a prayer of stopping him and Calvin Johnson. If he's bad, then that neutralizes Johnson, the ACC's best wideout, and that can't help GT. Edge: Even.

Intangibles: The whole world is rooting for Wake Forest, except for GT fans and people who hate good stories. That should give Wake an emotional boost. Wake Forest played (and beat) Boston College and Maryland, two very good teams. Georgia Tech beat Virginia Tech, so schedule strength is not a factor. Edge: Wake Forest.

Prediction: Jim Grobe adds an ACC title to his ACC Coach of the Year, since Reggie Ball comes out of the gate poorly and never really rebounds. Wake Forest, 27-17.

just my opinions!

[SamtheBravesFan]

I know, and my opinion is that punting and kicking at the same time doesn't make one the best booter.

A similar score was projected by the Anderson Independent-Mail newspaper for the Georgia - Georgia Tech game. Little credit is given to Georgia Tech's defense. I look forward to Georgia Tech's defense crushing that prediction. ;)

And that's MY opinion! :P

[brady_branch]

And I look forward to Wake Forest's running game crushing GT's defense.

[SamtheBravesFan]

And I look forward to Wake Forest's running game crushing GT's defense.

*laughs* And I'M looking forward to Georgia Tech's running game crushing WF's defense. ;)

[redlegsfan21]

And I'm looking forward to not caring.

[Snake]

I guess that makes two of us redlegs.

[ATLFalcons]

I've got to care, I've got money riding on this game!!! Oops, I meant the SEC Championship.

[SamtheBravesFan]

I've got to care, I've got money riding on this game!!! Oops, I meant the SEC Championship.

That's probably more of a sure bet. :P

[SamtheBravesFan]

Well, there we go, bad Reggie showed up against a good Wake Forest D, Georgia Tech lost. Congratulations and I'm going go faaaaaaaaaaaar away from this thread. :p

No, seriously, far away, I'm done. :p

[ATLFalcons]

Reggie Ball completed only nine passes and 8 of them were to Calvin Johnson. Like I said, GT would lose if Reggie Ball was not good.

[SamtheBravesFan]

Reggie Ball completed only nine passes and 8 of them were to Calvin Johnson. Like I said, GT would lose if Reggie Ball was not good.

*pops in*

So did I. ;)

*WHOOSHES AWAY*

[brady_branch]

I said the same thing.