Atlantic Coast Conference – Page 5

This time is different, Clemson will still own the ACC

There was a time when it was hard to imagine Clemson winning an ACC Championship. From 1992-2010, the Tigers watched as Florida State won 12 ACC Championships. They even had to watch Virginia Tech win three out of four titles when it first came into …

There was a time when it was hard to imagine Clemson winning an ACC Championship.

From 1992-2010, the Tigers watched as Florida State won 12 ACC Championships. They even had to watch Virginia Tech win three out of four titles when it first came into the league in 2004. Maryland (2001) and Wake Forest (2006) also held up the crown during that time span.

It was a hard pill for Clemson and its adoring fans to swallow.

Prior to 1992, the Tigers owned the ACC, winning 13 championships, including seven titles from 1978-’91. Clemson was the standard that all other ACC teams had to live up to at the time.

But that changed when the Seminoles joined the conference in 1992. For the next 19 seasons, Clemson walked in the dark, desperately looking for those championship days.

On December 1, 2008, Clemson hired Dabo Swinney to be its head football coach. That was truly the day that changed Clemson Football forever, though at the time we did not know it.

A year after being named the full-time head coach, Swinney had the Tigers in the ACC Championship Game, and he nearly came close to winning it. Georgia Tech scored a last-second touchdown to down the Tigers 39-34 in what is still considered the best of the ACC Championship Games since the league went to the championship game format in 2005.

On December 3, 2011, exactly 10 years ago on Friday, Swinney got Clemson back to the ACC Championship Game, except this time the Tigers did not allow Virginia Tech to steal it from them. They physically dominated the Hokies from the beginning, as they cruised to a 38-10 victory.

Little did we know that was just the beginning. Since that cool night in Charlotte, Clemson has won six more ACC Championships, and once again is the gold standard in the league.

The Tigers also took college football by storm, winning two national championships in the previous five seasons, while going to the College Football Playoff six years in a row.

But Clemson’s reign over the ACC will come to an end on Saturday when Pittsburgh battles Wake Forest in the ACC Championship Game at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. It will be the end of one of the greatest championship runs in ACC history, as Clemson is the only ACC team to win the league title outright for six straight years.

But do not worry, I doubt it will take the Tigers 20 years to win another ACC Championship. During the broadcast of last week’s 30-0 win over rival South Carolina— the Tigers fifth straight win, by the way — the broadcasters said Swinney made it clear Clemson will get back to where it is playing for conference and national championships very soon.

So, Saturday night will be all about Pitt and Wake Forest in the ACC, as it should. But I got a feeling next year and beyond is going to be all about the Tigers.

After all, doesn’t the ACC stand for Another Clemson Championship?

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Road to Charlotte: Path to winning the Atlantic Division

The race for the Atlantic Division is still a three team race but the path’s are much clearer going into the final week of the regular season. There are still path’s for Clemson to make it back to Charlotte but they will need some help from North …

Each week, we will take a look at where things stand in the Atlantic Division as teams battle to make the ACC Championship Game.

Clemson

The Tigers took care of business Saturday defeating Wake Forest to remain alive in the race for the Atlantic Division.

Now the Tigers will need Wake Forest to fall at Boston College and N.C. State to lose to UNC to win the division.

ACC Record: 6-2

ACC Losses: N.C. State, Pitt

Remaining ACC Games: None

N.C. State

N.C. State will now need some help in the final week of the regular season to win the division.

The ‘Pack will need to defeat North Carolina Friday and have Wake Forest lose their next two to win the division.

N.C. State would win the three team tiebreaker with Clemson and Wake Forest.

ACC Record: 5-2

ACC Losses: Miami, Wake Forest

Remaining ACC Games: Nov. 26 (UNC)

Wake Forest

Wake Forest missed a chance to win the division when they fall in Death Valley Saturday. The Deacs still control their destiny and need a win at Boston College to win the division. If the Eagles when Wake Forest is eliminated.

ACC Record: 6-1

ACC Losses: Clemson

Remaining ACC Games: Nov. 27 (at Boston College)

Tie Breaking Policy

Three-Team (or More) Team Tie
(Once a team is eliminated from the tie, the tie-breaker procedures restart for the remaining teams. If the three (or more) team tie can be reduced to two teams, the two-team tiebreaker format will then be applied.)

1. Combined head-to-head win percentage among the tied teams.
2. Win percentage of the tied teams within the division.
3. Head-to-head competition versus the team within the division with the best overall (divisional and non-divisional) Conference win percentage, and proceeding through the division. Multiple ties within the division will be broken first to last, using the league’s tie-breaker policies.
4. Combined win percentage versus all common non-divisional opponents.
5. Overall win percentage versus non-divisional opponents.
6. Win percentage versus common non-divisional opponents based upon their order of finish (overall win percentage) and proceeding through other common non-divisional opponents based upon their divisional order of finish.
7. The tied team with the higher ranking by the Team Rating Score metric provided by SportSource Analytics following the conclusion of regular season games.
8. The representative shall be chosen by a draw as administered by the Commissioner or the Commissioner’s designee.

Road to Charlotte: Path to Winning the Atlantic Division

The race for the Atlantic Division is still a three team race but the path’s are much clearer after Wake Forest defeated N.C. State. There are still path’s for Clemson to make it back to Charlotte but they will certainly need some help along the way …

Each week, we will take a look at where things stand in the Atlantic Division as teams battle to make the ACC Championship Game.

Clemson

The Tigers must defeat Wake Forest if they want to remain alive in the race for the Atlantic Division.

If the Tigers defeat the Deacons they will need Wake Forest to fall at Boston College and N.C. State to lose to either Syracuse or UNC to win the division.

ACC Record: 5-2

ACC Losses: N.C. State, Pitt

Remaining ACC Games: Nov. 20 (Wake Forest)

N.C. State

N.C. State will now need some help after falling to the Deacons.

The ‘Pack will need to win their next two games and have Wake Forest lose their next two to win the division.

N.C. State would win the three team tiebreaker with Clemson and Wake Forest.

ACC Record: 4-2

ACC Losses: Miami

Remaining ACC Games: Nov. 20 (Syracuse), Nov. 26 (UNC)

Wake Forest

Wake Forest took a big step towards winning the division by defeating N.C. State Saturday night.

The Deacs have the easiest path to winning the division. Wake Forest only needs a win over Clemson or a win over Boston College to win the division.

ACC Record: 6-0

Remaining ACC Games: Nov. 20 (at Clemson), Nov. 27 (at Boston College)

Tie Breaking Policy

Road to Charlotte: Path to Winning the Atlantic Division

The race for the Atlantic Division is still a three team race after the first weekend in November. There are still path’s for Clemson to make it back to Charlotte but they will certainly need some help along the way to try to extend their dominance …

Each week, we will take a look at where things stand in the Atlantic Division as teams battle to make the ACC Championship Game.

Clemson

The Tigers fought back to beat Louisville to keep their hopes alive.

In order to have any chance Clemson will need to defeat Wake Forest and finish 6-2 in the ACC. But they will need things to fall the right way even if they get that victory.

The Tigers would lose a three-team tie with Wake Forest and N.C. State. In such a scenario, Wake Forest would drop out of the running due to win percentage in the division since both of their losses would be in the Atlantic. That would leave Clemson and N.C. State, and the Wolfpack would win because of the head-to-head result. Clemson would also of course lose a two-team tie with the ‘Pack.

The Tigers will need N.C. State to lose two more conference games to win the division. They will also need Wake Forest to lose to either N.C. State or Boston College and the Tigers of course.

ACC Record: 5-2

ACC Losses: N.C. State, Pitt

Remaining ACC Games: Nov. 20 (Wake Forest)

N.C. State

N.C. State defeated Florida State to continue their push to the division title.

The ‘Pack still controls their own destiny. If they win out in the ACC, they will be heading to Charlotte. If the Wolfpack lose to Wake Forest, things get a lot more difficult. They would need to win the remaining ACC games and have some help by Clemson beating Wake Forest.

N.C. State would win the three team tiebreaker with Clemson and Wake Forest.

ACC Record: 4-1

ACC Losses: Miami

Remaining ACC Games: Nov. 13 (at Wake Forest), Nov. 20 (Syracuse), Nov. 26 (UNC)

Wake Forest

The Deacs have the easiest path to winning the division.

Wake Forest suffered their first loss of the season, but the loss to North Carolina not not count in the conference as it was a nonconference game.

If Wake Forest wins out, they are headed to Charlotte. If they beat N.C. State and just lose one conference game, they are headed to the ACC Championship.

ACC Record: 5-0

Remaining ACC Games: Nov. 13 (NC State), Nov. 20 (at Clemson), Nov. 27 (at Boston College)

Tie Breaking Policy

ACC Board of Directors Expands Scope of Conference Office Location Assessment

GREENSBORO, N.C. (theACC.com) – As part of the ongoing Atlantic Coast Conference comprehensive review and assessments, the league’s 15-member Board of Directors today announced its decision to expand the evaluation of the conference office location …

Independent consultant Newmark has been leading the objective, data driven comparison and evaluation of the current conference office building and location for the recently completed phase one, which included extensive discussions with more than 100 conference office, league and City of Greensboro stakeholders. After receiving and discussing the findings from phase one, the ACC’s Board of Directors requested that Newmark begin the next phase, expanding their work to include other potential locations.

The next phase will include the evaluation of interested cities via Newmark’s request for information process. The criteria will be focused on, but not limited to:

Located within the Eastern Time zone
Population size with positive growth trends
Growth and diversity of population
Access to a large hub airport with effective accessibility to and from all ACC member schools
Anticipated benefit to the overall ACC brand and potential synergies to existing and prospective partners
Financial considerations related to operational expenses

At the conclusion of this next phase, Newmark will present its objective analysis to the Board of Directors for consideration as it completes the due diligence necessary to ensure the conference office is best positioned for the future and the changing dynamics of intercollegiate athletics.

“The Board of Directors is continuing its work to evaluate and will make decisions that are in the long-term best interests of the ACC,” said ACC Board of Directors Chair and Duke University President Vincent E. Price. “Greensboro has been our proud home for almost seventy years and will be given thorough consideration to remain so for years to come. We continue to appreciate Newmark and Weiberg Consultants work on this very important process.”

Earlier this year and under the direction of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee, two independent consulting groups – Weiberg Consultants and Newmark – began comprehensive and external reviews of the conference office operations and location, respectively. The conference office operations review and assessment by Weiberg Consultants remains ongoing, and is focused on governance, staffing levels, budgets, technology, branding, revenue generation and the allocation of resources toward the student-athlete experience.

“When we initiated these reviews in July, our goal was to take a comprehensive look at how and where we operate in the context of an ever-changing landscape,” said ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips, Ph.D. “Newmark and Weiberg Consultants continue to provide us with the necessary, objective information to make decisions in the best interests of our conference, and we’re confident in their ongoing work.”

–Courtesy of ACC Communications

Who does Desmond Howard think is the ACC’s best team?

On ESPN’s College GameDay show Saturday morning, host Rece Davis asked the crew who they believe is the best team in the ACC, with Clemson – the six-time defending conference champion – currently sitting with one loss in the conference and with a …

On ESPN’s College GameDay show Saturday morning, host Rece Davis asked the crew who they believe is the best team in the ACC, with Clemson – the six-time defending conference champion – currently sitting with one loss in the conference and with a 3-2 record overall.

Desmond Howard gave his answer, mentioning both No. 19 Wake Forest (5-0, 3-0 ACC) and Pittsburgh (4-1, 1-0).

Like Clemson, Pittsburgh has a bye this weekend, while Wake Forest plays against Syracuse in the Carrier Dome at 3:30 p.m. Saturday.

“Wow, that’s a good question,” Howard said in response to Davis’ question about which team is the ACC’s best. “I like Wake. I like Wake a lot. But I think they better be careful going to the Carrier Dome against Syracuse today. Pitt is a team that’s coming out of nowhere, too, though. Keep your eye on the Pitt Panthers. I really like what I’m seeing out of Pitt.”

Clemson plays at Pittsburgh on Saturday, Oct. 23, and the Tigers will round out their regular season ACC slate vs. Wake Forest at Death Valley on Saturday, Nov. 20.

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Herbstreit weighs in on who’s the best team in the ACC

Kirk Herbstreit weighed in and thinks Pittsburgh (4-1, 1-0 ACC) is in the conversation, as well as No. 19 Wake Forest (5-0, 3-0), which takes on Mississippi State transfer quarterback Garrett Shrader and the Syracuse Orange at 3:30 p.m. Saturday in the Carrier Dome.

“The most talented team obviously is Clemson,” Herbstreit said in response to Davis’ question about which team is the ACC’s best. “But I think Pitt’s in that discussion. I think Wake, just because of their efficiency, and not just their record, but they’re playing good ball on both sides. But they better play good ball tonight against Garrett Shrader, who by the way … These quarterbacks move all over the place. Mississippi State guy who’s an athlete, can run around and help (running back) Sean Tucker.”

Herbstreit then asked Chris Fallica, better known as “The Bear” on College GameDay, who he thinks is the best team in the conference.

“It might be Virginia Tech,” Fallica said. “At least in terms of getting to the ACC Championship Game, I think they certainly have the cleanest path right now.”

Following this weekend’s open date, Clemson will be back in action on Friday, Oct. 15 at Syracuse before traveling to Pittsburgh on Oct. 23. The Tigers will then return to Death Valley to play Florida State on Oct. 30 before hitting the road for a matchup at Louisville on Nov. 6. After the UConn game on Nov. 13, Clemson will round out its regular season ACC slate vs. Wake Forest at Death Valley on Nov. 20.

The ACC Championship Game will kick off at 8 p.m. on ABC on Saturday, Dec. 4., at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.

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TCI Preview & Predictions: Boston College visits Clemson

Homecoming has arrived for the Tigers and so has Boston College. The Eagles enter Death Valley 4-0 on the season. Robert, Davis and Sam hit the TCI headquarters to preview the Atlantic Division showdown and give predictions for this week’s game.

Homecoming has arrived for the Tigers and so has Boston College. The Eagles enter Death Valley 4-0 on the season.

Robert, Davis and Sam hit the TCI headquarters to preview the Atlantic Division showdown and give predictions for this week’s game.

Swinney, Clemson not quitting despite rough start

RALEIGH, N.C. – North Carolina State stunned Clemson, 27-21, Saturday at Carter-Finley Stadium to snap an eight-game losing streak to the Tigers for their first Textile Bowl win since 2011. The Wolfpack (3-1, 1-0 ACC) kept the ball out of Clemson’s …

RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina State stunned Clemson, 27-21, Saturday at Carter-Finley Stadium to snap an eight-game losing streak to the Tigers for their first Textile Bowl win since 2011.

The Wolfpack (3-1, 1-0 ACC) kept the ball out of Clemson’s hands for 41:48 in regulation before securing the victory in the second overtime period.

The Tigers’ loss marked the first time since 2014 they lost multiple games in September.

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney knows his team needs to improve particularly on offense after another disappointing performance. And he noted that it has been a long time since one of his teams looked docile on that side of the ball.

“It’s been a long, long time. They had 96 plays to our 45 and I think they had the ball 40 minutes to our 18-19 and wore us down,” Swinney said. “It’s probably been since 2010, maybe, that year we weren’t very explosive and were in transition from a personnel standpoint.”

Clemson’s hopes for reaching a seventh straight College Football Playoff likely died this weekend as well. Since the start of the CFP no team has reached a semifinal after losing two games in the regular season.

The defeat also snapped Clemson’s 36-game winning streak against teams unranked in the AP Poll, the second-longest in school history. Clemson’s most recent defeat at the hands of an unranked squad had come in 2017 at Syracuse in the Carrier Dome.

The Tigers (2-2, 1-1 ACC) still have a lot to play for in the ACC, but face a tough test against undefeated Boston College at Memorial Stadium next Saturday.

Swinney, like many Clemson fans, left Carter-Finley with disappointment on Saturday. But he is focused on improving and continuing to approach every week with a “one-game season” mentality.

“There’s not any quit in us, I know everybody is disappointed and I’m disappointed, everybody is hurting,” Swinney said. “But we will show back up on Monday and go to work and see if we can find a way to win a game, that’s all we can focus on and all we are going to focus on.”

Clemson kicks off against the Eagles at 7:30 p.m. BC is 4-0 after Saturday’s overtime win against Missouri.

Football season has finally arrived. Time to represent your Tigers and show your stripes!

The Insider Report: Major change on the horizon for ACC?

Each week The Clemson Insider brings you the latest Inside information on the Clemson Tigers in The Insider Report. What major change could be on the horizon for the Atlantic Coast Conference? Which top prospects are planning to be in Bank of …

Each week The Clemson Insider brings you the latest Inside information on the Clemson Tigers in The Insider Report.

What major change could be on the horizon for the Atlantic Coast Conference? Which top prospects are planning to be in Bank of America Stadium to watch the Tigers and the Dawgs? What is the latest on four-star corner Antonio Robinson? All of this and more in this week’s edition of The Insider Report.

If you are not already a Clemson Insider register today for Free and enjoy all of the Insider information on TheClemsonInsider.com.

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