Spring Break
Week seven: Ranking the Carolinas
Ronnie Woodward, Asst. Sports Editor
Issue date: 10/9/08 Section: Sports
1. UNC
Record: 4-1
Last Week: Won vs. UConn, 38-12
UNC holds onto the top spot after dominating No. 24 UConn last Saturday night. We know how good UNC's offense is, but it was the Heels' defense and special teams that stole the show last week. Bruce Carter blocked three punts, and defensive lineman Marvin Austin returned an interception for a touchdown, as UNC got its first win over a ranked team in three years. This is scary news, as winning 10 or 11 games is not out of the realm of possibility with the schedule the Heels have left.
2. Wake Forest
Record: 3-1
Last Week: bye week
Wake Forest had a classic letdown game against Navy two weeks ago after beating Florida State on the road. The Deacons have a tough schedule ahead of them now, starting tonight with Clemson and ending with a game against Vanderbilt to close out the regular season. Jim Grobe excels when his team is under the radar, and Wake is now under the radar after losing to Navy. That's not good for Clemson or the other teams that have to play Wake in the upcoming weeks.
3. South Carolina
Record: 4-2
Last Week: Won at Ole Miss, 31-24
This would be my opportunity to remind you that I told you South Carolina would beat Ole Miss last week. Ole Miss was still thinking about how great its win over Florida was the week before, and the Gamecocks left Oxford, M.S. with a win. I said they would win because of the emotional factor mentioned above and because of Stephen Garcia. I was wrong about Garcia, as Steve Spurrier went with quarterback Chris Smelley. The inconsistent quarterback delivered while Garcia sat the bench. It worked for Spurrier last week, but it won't again this week. USC continues its inconsistent play and loses to Kentucky this Saturday.
4. Duke
Record: 3-2
Last Week: Lost at Georgia Tech, 27-0
Duke went into its first road game of the season with zero points, and left that same game with zero points. The Blue Devils certainly didn't pass their first road test, but they will have more opportunities. Georgia Tech is one of the best teams in the ACC this year, and Duke should rebound. Since it has been the laughing stock of college football recently, you have to be rooting for Duke to get to a bowl game this season. It is halfway there, but gaining three more wins in the regular season might be tough to do, as four of its final seven games are against ranked opponents.
5. Clemson
Record: 3-2
Last Week: bye week
All right Clemson, this is your week. Tonight is your game to prove that you're not as bad as the losses to Alabama and Maryland indicated earlier this season. Your game with Wake Forest tonight is on ESPN and everyone will be watching to see if your preseason hype was worth it. The Tigers are bigger, faster and more talented than Wake Forest. The problem is Clemson is bigger, faster and more talented than a lot of teams-but not better. This is your chance Clemson - show me something.
This writer can be contacted at sports@theeastcarolinian.com.
Record: 4-1
Last Week: Won vs. UConn, 38-12
UNC holds onto the top spot after dominating No. 24 UConn last Saturday night. We know how good UNC's offense is, but it was the Heels' defense and special teams that stole the show last week. Bruce Carter blocked three punts, and defensive lineman Marvin Austin returned an interception for a touchdown, as UNC got its first win over a ranked team in three years. This is scary news, as winning 10 or 11 games is not out of the realm of possibility with the schedule the Heels have left.
2. Wake Forest
Record: 3-1
Last Week: bye week
Wake Forest had a classic letdown game against Navy two weeks ago after beating Florida State on the road. The Deacons have a tough schedule ahead of them now, starting tonight with Clemson and ending with a game against Vanderbilt to close out the regular season. Jim Grobe excels when his team is under the radar, and Wake is now under the radar after losing to Navy. That's not good for Clemson or the other teams that have to play Wake in the upcoming weeks.
3. South Carolina
Record: 4-2
Last Week: Won at Ole Miss, 31-24
This would be my opportunity to remind you that I told you South Carolina would beat Ole Miss last week. Ole Miss was still thinking about how great its win over Florida was the week before, and the Gamecocks left Oxford, M.S. with a win. I said they would win because of the emotional factor mentioned above and because of Stephen Garcia. I was wrong about Garcia, as Steve Spurrier went with quarterback Chris Smelley. The inconsistent quarterback delivered while Garcia sat the bench. It worked for Spurrier last week, but it won't again this week. USC continues its inconsistent play and loses to Kentucky this Saturday.
4. Duke
Record: 3-2
Last Week: Lost at Georgia Tech, 27-0
Duke went into its first road game of the season with zero points, and left that same game with zero points. The Blue Devils certainly didn't pass their first road test, but they will have more opportunities. Georgia Tech is one of the best teams in the ACC this year, and Duke should rebound. Since it has been the laughing stock of college football recently, you have to be rooting for Duke to get to a bowl game this season. It is halfway there, but gaining three more wins in the regular season might be tough to do, as four of its final seven games are against ranked opponents.
5. Clemson
Record: 3-2
Last Week: bye week
All right Clemson, this is your week. Tonight is your game to prove that you're not as bad as the losses to Alabama and Maryland indicated earlier this season. Your game with Wake Forest tonight is on ESPN and everyone will be watching to see if your preseason hype was worth it. The Tigers are bigger, faster and more talented than Wake Forest. The problem is Clemson is bigger, faster and more talented than a lot of teams-but not better. This is your chance Clemson - show me something.
This writer can be contacted at sports@theeastcarolinian.com.
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