Spring Break
Week 10: Ranking the Carolinas
Ronnie Woodward, Asst. Sports Editor
Issue date: 11/6/08 Section: Sports
1. North Carolina
Record: 6-2
Last week: Bye week
The Heels are going to have to fight to hold onto the top spot from here on out. South Carolina is on fire right now, but UNC can distance itself from USC with two wins in the next two weeks. UNC hosts No. 20 Georgia Tech this weekend and plays at No. 23 Maryland next week. Former starting quarterback T.J. Yates is also practicing again after an injury earlier this season. Star wide receiver Brandon Tate will not be returning any time soon, but having Yates and Cam Sexton available to throw the ball could be valuable as UNC closes out its regular season.
2. South Carolina
Record: 6-3
Last week: Won vs. Tennessee, 27-6
Something tells me that Steve Spurrier enjoyed costing Phillip Fulmer his job last weekend by flat-out embarrassing the reeling Vols on national television. The Gamecocks put together their best effort of the season in that game, and Fulmer-who was the thorn in Spurrier's side when he was at Florida-was fired on Monday. USC plays Arkansas this week and then Spurrier and his Gamecocks travel to Florida the following week. I have a feeling Arkansas might be overlooked a little this week, as Spurrier would love to beat Tennessee and win at the Swamp all in one season.
3. Wake Forest
Record: 5-3
Last week: Won vs. Duke, 33-30
In last week's battle for third place in the rankings game, Wake Forest came out on top-barely. After Duke missed what would have been the game-winning field with two seconds left in regulation, the Deacons capitalized. Wake knocked down a field goal in its overtime possession, and star cornerback Alphonso Smith ended the game when he picked off a Thaddeus Lewis pass in the end zone, and the game ended.
4. Duke
Record: 4-4
Last week: Lost at Wake Forest, 33-30
Turning a loser into a winner is a process. David Cutcliffe has changed everything about the Duke football program this season except for one key thing: The Blue Devils still can't win an ACC road game. With the heartbreaking loss at Wake last Saturday, Duke has now lost 18 straight conference road games. Duke was shutout at Georgia Tech earlier this year and suffered a second half collapse at Miami a couple of weeks ago. This inability to win on the road could severely hurt Duke's chance of reaching that possible bowl game. Duke has two road games and two home games to finish out the regular season. Two wins against that slate is starting to look like a tough task.
5. ECU
Record: 5-3
Last week: Won at UCF, 13-10
The Pirates looked inept on offense and special teams for most of their game against the Knights last Sunday. The defense brought it's "A" game however, and ECU snuck out of Orlando with an overtime win. Following up that hard-fought win will be tough, as this team is struggling to find an identity and banged up at key positions. Marshall comes to Greenville this weekend rested and finding its mark. A maximum effort from all of the Pirates will be needed for them to continue their mini winning streak.
This writer can be contacted at sports@theeastcarolinian.com.
Record: 6-2
Last week: Bye week
The Heels are going to have to fight to hold onto the top spot from here on out. South Carolina is on fire right now, but UNC can distance itself from USC with two wins in the next two weeks. UNC hosts No. 20 Georgia Tech this weekend and plays at No. 23 Maryland next week. Former starting quarterback T.J. Yates is also practicing again after an injury earlier this season. Star wide receiver Brandon Tate will not be returning any time soon, but having Yates and Cam Sexton available to throw the ball could be valuable as UNC closes out its regular season.
2. South Carolina
Record: 6-3
Last week: Won vs. Tennessee, 27-6
Something tells me that Steve Spurrier enjoyed costing Phillip Fulmer his job last weekend by flat-out embarrassing the reeling Vols on national television. The Gamecocks put together their best effort of the season in that game, and Fulmer-who was the thorn in Spurrier's side when he was at Florida-was fired on Monday. USC plays Arkansas this week and then Spurrier and his Gamecocks travel to Florida the following week. I have a feeling Arkansas might be overlooked a little this week, as Spurrier would love to beat Tennessee and win at the Swamp all in one season.
3. Wake Forest
Record: 5-3
Last week: Won vs. Duke, 33-30
In last week's battle for third place in the rankings game, Wake Forest came out on top-barely. After Duke missed what would have been the game-winning field with two seconds left in regulation, the Deacons capitalized. Wake knocked down a field goal in its overtime possession, and star cornerback Alphonso Smith ended the game when he picked off a Thaddeus Lewis pass in the end zone, and the game ended.
4. Duke
Record: 4-4
Last week: Lost at Wake Forest, 33-30
Turning a loser into a winner is a process. David Cutcliffe has changed everything about the Duke football program this season except for one key thing: The Blue Devils still can't win an ACC road game. With the heartbreaking loss at Wake last Saturday, Duke has now lost 18 straight conference road games. Duke was shutout at Georgia Tech earlier this year and suffered a second half collapse at Miami a couple of weeks ago. This inability to win on the road could severely hurt Duke's chance of reaching that possible bowl game. Duke has two road games and two home games to finish out the regular season. Two wins against that slate is starting to look like a tough task.
5. ECU
Record: 5-3
Last week: Won at UCF, 13-10
The Pirates looked inept on offense and special teams for most of their game against the Knights last Sunday. The defense brought it's "A" game however, and ECU snuck out of Orlando with an overtime win. Following up that hard-fought win will be tough, as this team is struggling to find an identity and banged up at key positions. Marshall comes to Greenville this weekend rested and finding its mark. A maximum effort from all of the Pirates will be needed for them to continue their mini winning streak.
This writer can be contacted at sports@theeastcarolinian.com.
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