Spring Break
Week nine: Ranking the Carolinas
Ronnie Woodward, Asst. Sports Editor
Issue date: 10/30/08 Section: Sports
1. North Carolina
Record: 6-2
Last week: Won vs. Boston College, 45-24
Even though South Carolina had a bye week last week and couldn't help its situation, it just can't hold on to the top spot again. I hate to penalize a team for not playing, but UNC looked that good last week in a 45-24 dismantling of Boston College. Wide receiver Hakeem Nicks had 170 yards and four touchdowns-I repeat, four touchdowns-in the Heels' impressive win. Add in the fact that each of UNC's losses were by field goals, and the Heels reclaim their status as the best college football team in the Carolinas.
2. South Carolina
Record: 5-3
Last week: Bye week
As I stated in North Carolina's recap, I hate to move South Carolina from the top spot to the second spot, but I just have to. Luckily for the Gamecocks, they will have some chances to impress in the next month and could easily regain that top spot. All of that starts this week, when Tennessee rolls into town. The Vols are obviously having a down year, but Tennessee has owned this series, and don't forget about Steve Spurrier's connection to Tennessee. USC is coming off a bye week and Spurrier should rekindle his hatred for Tennessee. … This week USC wins. ... big.
3. Duke
Record: 4-3
Last week: Won at Vanderbilt, 10-7
It was low scoring and it was ugly, but it was Duke football beating a legitimate team on the road. That describes Duke's win over Vanderbilt last Saturday. The Blue Devils committed seven penalties, missed two field goals and only rushed for 28 yards, but they came away with a win and are now only two wins from bowl eligibility. Duke now has five regular season games left and the magic number is two. A 2-3 finish to the regular season would give Duke the unthinkable: a bowl game in David Cutcliffe's first year.
4. Wake Forest
Record: 4-3
Last week: Lost at Miami, 16-10
Record: 6-2
Last week: Won vs. Boston College, 45-24
Even though South Carolina had a bye week last week and couldn't help its situation, it just can't hold on to the top spot again. I hate to penalize a team for not playing, but UNC looked that good last week in a 45-24 dismantling of Boston College. Wide receiver Hakeem Nicks had 170 yards and four touchdowns-I repeat, four touchdowns-in the Heels' impressive win. Add in the fact that each of UNC's losses were by field goals, and the Heels reclaim their status as the best college football team in the Carolinas.
2. South Carolina
Record: 5-3
Last week: Bye week
As I stated in North Carolina's recap, I hate to move South Carolina from the top spot to the second spot, but I just have to. Luckily for the Gamecocks, they will have some chances to impress in the next month and could easily regain that top spot. All of that starts this week, when Tennessee rolls into town. The Vols are obviously having a down year, but Tennessee has owned this series, and don't forget about Steve Spurrier's connection to Tennessee. USC is coming off a bye week and Spurrier should rekindle his hatred for Tennessee. … This week USC wins. ... big.
3. Duke
Record: 4-3
Last week: Won at Vanderbilt, 10-7
It was low scoring and it was ugly, but it was Duke football beating a legitimate team on the road. That describes Duke's win over Vanderbilt last Saturday. The Blue Devils committed seven penalties, missed two field goals and only rushed for 28 yards, but they came away with a win and are now only two wins from bowl eligibility. Duke now has five regular season games left and the magic number is two. A 2-3 finish to the regular season would give Duke the unthinkable: a bowl game in David Cutcliffe's first year.
4. Wake Forest
Record: 4-3
Last week: Lost at Miami, 16-10
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