ACC Championship race
In week 11 the Atlantic Coast Conference’s Costal and Atlantic division are still far from being decided, as Florida State Seminoles, Maryland Terrapins, North Carolina State Wolfpack, Virginia Tech Hokies and Miami Hurricanes all battle for their respective
division titles. With several teams still in the race the final four weeks of the season are all important, the squads struggle to get into the championship game and earn a berth in the Orange bowl.
Atlantic Division
Florida State Seminoles
The Seminoles currently lead the Atlantic division at 6-3 and with a 4-2 record against conference opponents. Unfortunately for the Seminoles, they have a very difficult schedule to end the season. Florida State will have to first push past the Clemson Tigers,
who have turned their season around after starting out slow and then will have to battle the Maryland Terrapins who sit directly behind them in the standings. Finally the Seminoles have a difficult game against the rival Florida Gators, who are currently the
nation’s 22nd ranked side. Moreover, the Seminoles have dropped their past two contests, both against ACC opponents. Florida State will have to quickly re-discover their form if they hope make it to the conference championship game.
Maryland Terrapins
The Terrapins are second in the Atlantic division, sitting at 6-3 and with a conference record of 3-2. The Terrapins have the opportunity to move past the Seminoles if they are able to collect a win against Florida State in week 12. Maryland has an easy
week 11 game against the Virginia Cavaliers and should be able to register their fourth conference victory. The real test will come at the end of the season when the Terrapins play a strong North Carolina State side, perhaps for the Atlantic division title.
North Carolina State Wolfpack
The Wolfpack continue to stay in the conversation despite their propensity to suffer defeats at the hands of teams with losing records. Nevertheless, the Wolfpack sit at 6-3 with a 3-2 conference record, but like the other ACC Atlantic competitors, the Wolfpack
have a difficult end of season schedule. The Wolfpack have an easy week 11 match-up against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, but then have to go on the road for two straight weeks to take on the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Terrapins. The Wolfpack will have
to remain consistent, while getting strong play from the nation’s 18th best passing game if they hope to take over the Atlantic division.
Coastal Division
Virginia Tech Hokies
The Virginia Tech Hokies have been unstoppable since week two, winning seven straight games and now sit at 7-2 with a 5-0 conference record. Nevertheless, the Hokies have some work to do late in the season. The squad has to go on the road in weeks 11 and
12 to take on the Tar Heels and the Hurricanes. Virginia Tech finishes off with an easy game against their rivals the Virginia Cavaliers, but will have to work through their two tough road games to get a shot at the ACC title.
Miami Hurricanes
The Hurricanes trail the Hokies by one win and have a 4-2 conference record, but have the easier schedule to end the season. Miami faces a 5-4 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets team on the road in week 11 and should be able to squeak out a victory. The Hurricanes
then return home for a pivotal match-up against the Hokies, before hosting the South Florida Bulls, who they should be able to beat, coming out of the Big East. The Hurricanes have a favourable schedule to end the year, but will need to remain consistent if
they hope to get a shot at the Orange Bowl.
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