The ACC is Trash

by Brendan Paschal

BESIDES Clemson. Tiger fans get so upset when someone says their conference stinks. Sidenote-Nobody is including your team when they say everyone else in your conference is garbage. Out of the Power 5 Conferences, the ACC has only three schools in the Top 25 and one in the Top 10. Florida State is equivalent to an FCS program at the moment. Louisville has no offense. And Wake Forest can’t even get their kicker on the field.

Wake Forest’s kicker Nick Sciba was still practicing when he was supposed to be on the field…

He still got on in time, but of course, he missed the FG. pic.twitter.com/mkIIQKKhVc

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) September 22, 2018

The ACC is Trash

North Carolina lost to Cal in Week 1, got destroyed by ECU, and I’m fairly certain Hurricane Florence did less damage to the Tarheels than what UCF would’ve done in Week 3. Right when I had confidence in how bad UNC was they go and beat Pittsburgh 38-35. I still don’t know if this says more about UNC or Pittsburgh.

Michael Carter (8) was one of many who helped contribute the win against Pitt. Image for UNC Athletics.

Boston College enjoyed their brief stay in the Top 25 and then realized wins against UMASS, Holy Cross, and Wake Forest was actually nothing impressive. Nothing says, “we don’t deserve a place in the Top 25” than getting boat raced by an 0-3 Purdue team. BC’s quarterback, Anthony Brown, went 13-27 for 96 yards 1 touchdown, AND 4 INTERCEPTIONS. AJ Dillon rushed 19 times for a whopping 59 yards. For all you math majors out there that is barely over three yards a carry. Sheeeeesh.

🎥 Highlights from today’s win over Boston College.#BoilerUp #LetsPlayFootball pic.twitter.com/CrAiICRYkX

— Purdue Football (@BoilerFootball) September 22, 2018

Then there’s Virginia Tech – a team who prides themselves in their defense under one of the best defensive coordinators, Bud Foster. The Hokies lost to Old Dominion 49-35. Seven touchdowns. After holding FSU to 3 points and William & Mary to 2 touchdowns, they let Monarchs score seven touchdowns. Seven. Siete. Sept. 7 touchdowns. They had only scored 7 touchdowns all season. Old Dominion was 0-3 including a loss to one of the worst football programs in the nation, UNC Charlotte. Is nothing sacred?

Bud Foster had a rare collapse against Old Dominion. Image from Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Speaking of FSU, remember that time Florida State entered the season in the Top 25? It is hard to believe. While I recognize that Willie Taggart is a long term guy whose teams rise from the ashes, but this dumpster fire is still burning white hot. The sad thing is they have one of the greatest QB/RB duos in Deondre Francois and Cam Akers. As good as they are their offensive line is equally as bad. Maybe it’s because these guys don’t match Taggart’s west coast style of play. But it is nearly impossible for Francois to get the ball off when he’s got 4 defenders instantly in the backfield and they can’t establish a solid run game. FSU currently holds the record for most consecutive bowl game appearances with 36. Does that streak end in 2018?

Deondre Francois is trying to make the best out of this situation. Image from Getty Images.

Clemson is the ACC’s only chance. Yes, I know Duke and Miami are both ranked, but there is no chance of them making the Playoff. While other conferences have cupcakes on their schedule Clemson has cookies, cake, brownies, and pies for opponents. If they fill up on these pastries they easily could get fat and lazy, which would result in a thorough beat-down against some real competition. Dabo can hype up his inferior opponents all he wants, but they are still no match for Clemson. You can put lipstick on a pig, but it’s still a pig.

Long story short, the ACC is trash. If Clemson gives up a single game this year they do not deserve to be in the Playoff. I would rather take a 2 loss LSU, Oklahoma, Ohio State, hell, even a one loss UCF over a one loss Clemson. This conference is as weak as has been in decades.