Spring Break
Week 11: Ranking the Carolinas
Ronnie Woodward, Asst. Sports Editor
Issue date: 11/13/08 Section: Sports
1. North Carolina
Record: 7-2
Last week: Won vs. Georgia Tech, 28-7
UNC defeated its second-ranked opponent of the season last weekend-No. 19 Georgia Tech-and now finds itself ranked No. 17 and has secured its first winning season in seven years. It was supposed to take Butch Davis some time to turn this thing around, but look at what he has done in only his second year with the program. Against Georgia Tech, UNC forced three turnovers and scored three touchdowns in the final quarter-but the most important stat was T.J. Yates completing his first pass since going down with an injury almost two months ago. Watch out Cam Sexton, there was a reason why you were Yates' backup before the injury.
2. South Carolina
Record: 7-3
Last week: Won vs. Arkansas, 34-21
The only reason why the Gamecocks aren't ranked ahead of UNC is because they lack a win against a ranked opponent. USC has played a much tougher schedule and has certainly lost to better teams-Georgia, LSU, Vanderbilt-but USC's best win is at Ole Miss. All of that can change this weekend when USC heads to Gainesville to play third-ranked Florida. The Gamecocks, winners of six of their last seven games, are starving for a win over a ranked team. They have the defense to do it, but UF is clearly playing like the best team in the nation right now and will be tough to beat at home.
3. Wake Forest
Record: 6-3
Last week: Won vs. Virginia, 28-17
Wake Forest has suddenly salvaged its season with two-straight quality wins. Coming off an overtime win against Duke, Wake beat Virginia last week-vaulting itself back to the top of the ACC standings. The Deacons are tied with Florida State atop the Atlantic Division, but Wake's win in Tallahassee earlier this season gives it the tiebreaker advantage over FSU. Donning gold jerseys, Wake seized conference supremacy last week by forcing four turnovers and holding UVA to 28 rushing yards. With three very winnable games left to play, Wake has an inside track to the ACC title game.
Record: 7-2
Last week: Won vs. Georgia Tech, 28-7
UNC defeated its second-ranked opponent of the season last weekend-No. 19 Georgia Tech-and now finds itself ranked No. 17 and has secured its first winning season in seven years. It was supposed to take Butch Davis some time to turn this thing around, but look at what he has done in only his second year with the program. Against Georgia Tech, UNC forced three turnovers and scored three touchdowns in the final quarter-but the most important stat was T.J. Yates completing his first pass since going down with an injury almost two months ago. Watch out Cam Sexton, there was a reason why you were Yates' backup before the injury.
2. South Carolina
Record: 7-3
Last week: Won vs. Arkansas, 34-21
The only reason why the Gamecocks aren't ranked ahead of UNC is because they lack a win against a ranked opponent. USC has played a much tougher schedule and has certainly lost to better teams-Georgia, LSU, Vanderbilt-but USC's best win is at Ole Miss. All of that can change this weekend when USC heads to Gainesville to play third-ranked Florida. The Gamecocks, winners of six of their last seven games, are starving for a win over a ranked team. They have the defense to do it, but UF is clearly playing like the best team in the nation right now and will be tough to beat at home.
3. Wake Forest
Record: 6-3
Last week: Won vs. Virginia, 28-17
Wake Forest has suddenly salvaged its season with two-straight quality wins. Coming off an overtime win against Duke, Wake beat Virginia last week-vaulting itself back to the top of the ACC standings. The Deacons are tied with Florida State atop the Atlantic Division, but Wake's win in Tallahassee earlier this season gives it the tiebreaker advantage over FSU. Donning gold jerseys, Wake seized conference supremacy last week by forcing four turnovers and holding UVA to 28 rushing yards. With three very winnable games left to play, Wake has an inside track to the ACC title game.
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