The Sports Corner

ACC Football Update: Georgia Tech 41 Miami 23

Georgia Tech has now made their case for the ACC championship game. 

The Yellow Jackets are all alone in first in the coastal division. They’ve played out all their league games, finishing 5-3 in the ACC. Now all they have to do is wait and see what the rest of the league does… and play non-conference in-state rival Georgia next Saturday, some Clean Old-Fashioned Hate.

Miami still has one game left after this debacle in which they were shredded on the ground, much the same way Florida State was just a few weeks earlier. At least the Noles made it close. The 41-23 loss Thursday night in Atlanta proved that the Canes are still rebuilding. However, if they win next week against North Carolina State they still have a fighting chance to get to the ACC title game. They will need a ton of help, but a three or four way puts them back in the running. The scenario looks a little like this:

North Carolina beats NC State this week and Duke the next, while Virginia Tech beats Duke this week and Virginia the next… OR

North Carolina wins out, while Virginia beats Clemson this week and Virginia Tech the next. 

Either scenario, coupled with a Miami win over NC State, creates a four-way tie atop the ACC coastal division at 5-3… and after sitting down and working out the math, Miami has absolutely no chance if the Tar Heels are one of those teams by virtue of their loss to North Carolina. Also if Virginia Tech is one of those teams their record within the division would trump every other team. So the only chance Miami has is a three way tie with Georgia Tech and Virginia. 

In that scenario, Georgia Tech’s weak 2-3 divisional record is beaten out by Miami and Virginia’s 3-2 records. Then, because it is no longer a three-team tie, Miami’s head to head win against Virginia puts them in the ACC title game… I think.

Let me know if I’m wrong, this mess of a championship race gets stranger with every game. Strangely enough, 4-6 NC State has a shot to take out both Miami and North Carolina in the coming weeks, playing the role of spoiler. 

Side note from Thursday night’s game: Can’t say enough about Jonathan Dwyer. If you didn’t fall in love with his running style against Miami, you’re either a closet-Canes fan or should consult an eye-doctor. A team known for its speed, Miami couldn’t catch him. He ran for 128 on 10 carries and didn’t even see the field in the second half. He’s a punishing runner and just a sophomore. I can already see him walking across the stage at Radio City Music Hall and shaking Commissioner Goodell’s hand after being drafted in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft.