Week 11: What happened

Ok, Carolina had a bye week and we all got to watch the rest of the college football world change and alter all around us. Coming into the Bye, UNC was ranked #22 in the BCS and #21 in the AP while being in the middle of the pack in the ACC Coastal. As everyone knows, UNC started the day needing some help as far as the coastal division is concerned. So here's what happened:


Miami beats UVa. : As much as Miami shot themselves in the foot with seemingly billions of false-start penalties, UVa's couldn't capitalize and let Miami hang around. UVa was the much much better team in this game. Miami turned the ball over time and time again, and just looked lost for alot of the game. But again, because UVa couldnt put the ball in the endzone (partly bc of a good, fast Miami D) and because they have an incompetent kicker, the Hurricanes were never out of it. We all remember what happens when you dont capitalize off of these situations (see UNC vs. VT). Miami throws a bomb to the endzone that ties it, and they won in Overtime. UNC needed Virginia to lose twice. That's 1. This helped UNC in a huge way. UVa still needs to lose again, but with @WF, Clemson and @VT still ahead, who cant see it happening?


Georgia Tech beats FSU: I was rooting for FSU because i thought that all things considered, it would help UNC. Everyone will talk about how FSU fumbled at the goal line, but make no mistake, GT dominated this game. Then QB Nesbitt got hurt, and FSU took advantage of Freshman backup Shaw. But GT ran the ball very, very well and their defensive front is awesome. UNC needed to beat GT to have a chance in the coastal anyway, but I would much rather had been playing a 3-3 GT team then a 4-2 team. FSU's loss puts Maryland in the drivers seat in the Atlantic, and all Tar Heels should be rooting hard for the Terps thursday night at VT. But the way Maryland plays away from home, I'm sure they will crap the bed and not take advantage.


Clemson beats BC: I like this alot because if Clemson still believes it can do something with this season it helps UNC. Clemson's a team that has more talent than probably anybody, but mentally just hasnt been their for obvious reasons. CU still has Duke and Virginia, which will both be must wins. Go ahead and win both of those ones please Tigers. Ok? Thanks.


Wake Forest beats Duke: Great. I have mentioned before how UNC going to Durham to face a 5-6 Duke team scares the living hell out of me. If NC State beats Duke Saturday, I can't see this happeneing. Wake winning (as well as FSU losing), means that the Deacs still have hope of winning the Atlantic, if they win out. And the Cavs show up in Winston Salem this week.


Look,. UNC still has to win out to win the Coastal, but Miami beating UVa was the first part of a three part puzzle. GT scares the hell outta me, for alot of reasons, but we walk away from Saturday with the light at the tunnel a bit brighter than it was, and we'll take it.


As far as nationally goes, UNC might move up in the BCS standings due to #15 FSU, #17 Minnesota and #18 Tulso all losing. I realize this doesnt really matter, but hey, Im not really used to seeing UNC in the polls, so forgive me for at least being happy about it. Another good thing is that after Saturday there arn't really a ton of two or three loss teams left in the nation (#23-25, as well as about half of 'others receiving votes' all lost). There are more in the ACC, but this will decrease alot in the next two weeks. Again, i may be grasping at straws here, but this helps UNC as far as looking good for bowls, wiggle room in the polls, ect.