Rearview: Can Georgia Tech win the ACC?

Looking back at the end of the 2007 season, I wouldn't have pondered the possibility that Georgia Tech had the potential to win the ACC. After all, transitioning teams often play poorly in their first year, especially when you’re changing an offense. The most logical explanation would be the program not having a roster equipped for the new playbook, with future recruiting being of the utmost importance. Just look at Michigan, Auburn, and Arkansas. Those are better examples of how transitioning offenses normally appear in the introductory season.

But the Yellow Jackets have a different story, able to provide just enough offense, in support of an outstanding defense, to win games. They are currently 4-1 (2-1 in conference), with the lone loss coming on the road to Virginia Tech by a mere 3 points. They still have a few landmines awaiting, with road games against Clemson and North Carolina. But overall, I really like their chances.

Now, do I even dare ask the next question? Can Vanderbilt win the SEC?

KNOCKING ON HEAVEN’S DOOR

BYU is a team likely to roll from here to there without a blemish. With just 7 games remaining, the undefeated Cougars are cruising, with the lone obstacle appearing to be the season finale against Utah. If we get more shake ups atop the polls, and the Cougs finish as the only unbeaten, it’s going to be pretty hard to justify leaving them out of the BCS title game. Isn’t it?

BUY OR SELL THE IRISH?

Offensively, Notre Dame seems to be clicking, but there’s still some mystery surrounding the team. Are they as good as their 4-1 record would indicate or is that a reflection of their opponents? I think we’ll get a better indication in the coming weeks, but maybe that 11 win season is a possibility? They have some tough road games remaining with North Carolina and USC, while also hosting Pitt. By the time they get to Navy on November 11th, we should know exactly what they’re all about.

DIGITS

Illinois QB Juice Williams set a Michigan Stadium record with 431 all-purpose yards.

Alabama rushed for 282 yards against Kentucky, with Glenn Coffee accounting for 218 of that total on 25 carries.

Texas Tech’s Graham Harrell has passed for 12, 709 yards in his 3 years as a starter.

An interception thrown against Arkansas snaps Tim Tebow’s string of 203 pass attempts without a pick.

Purdue’s loss to Penn State marks the Boilermakers’ 15th consecutive loss to ranked opponents.

After hanging 49 points on Baylor, the Oklahoma Sooners are now 10 points shy of being the first program to reach 30,000 points.

With 4 rushing TDs, Antone Smith tied a Florida State school record.

After trailing Oregon 10-3 in the second quarter, USC scored 41 unanswered points in their 44-10 victory.

Mizzou wins their 1st game in Nebraska in 30 years, by drubbing the Huskers to the tune of 52-17. It also marked Nebraska’s most lopsided loss since 1955.

By edging the Badgers, Ohio State snapped Wisconsin’s 16 game home winning streak.


GALLOPING FINISH

Virginia- Peter Who?
Fresno State- Aloha?
Oklahoma- solidified their ranking
USC (west)- Actually looked like USC (west)
USC (east)- stick with Smelley and build on it.
Texas Tech- Anything you can do, I can do better.
Mizzou- see comment above.
Vanderbilt- The best team in Tennessee? Who would have thought?
Ohio State- The Pryor arrangement is working out well.
Oklahoma State- 5-0. “I’m a man!”
North Carolina- Any Butch Davis doubters still lingering?
Miami- I thought defense was the anchor.
Florida State- see comment above.
Week 6- eh. It was so-so.