Penn State tumbles in USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll

Where is Penn State ranked in the USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll after an epic overtime loss to Illinois?

After dropping a nine-overtime marathon at home to lowly Illinois, Penn State was due to take a major tumble in the latest polls on Sunday. And that’s exactly what happened for the Nittany Lions following Week 8 of college football action.

Penn State fell 10 spots down to No. 17 in this week’s USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll, which was updated Sunday afternoon less than 24 hours after a major disappointment in front of a homecoming crowd. But Penn State’s fall in the polls may have been given a slight pillow considering a number of other losses taken by ranked teams around the country.

Coastal Carolina and NC State each losing gave Penn State a slight cushion underneath them, as did the loss by Clemson. Coastal Carolina and NC State each remained in the top 25, although Clemson fell out after their road loss at Pitt. The Panthers moved up four spots in the coaches poll, but only up to No. 19 to remain two spots behind Penn State despite a better record of 6-1.

Penn State took the biggest tumble in this week’s coaches poll by falling nine spots after a loss to Illinois. No. 15 Oklahoma State also took a good fall by dropping six spots after a loss to Iowa State (up to No. 23 after being unranked). Coastal Carolina fell eight spots and NC State fell seven after losses to Appalachian State and Miami, respectively.

Georgia remains the unanimous No. 1 team in the USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll after receiving all 64 first-place votes to stay ahead of No. 2 Cincinnati. But No. 3 Alabama has moved ahead of No. 4 Oklahoma, who fell two spots after having to claw back on the road against Kansas. No. 5 Ohio State, No. 6 Michigan, and No. 7 Michigan State remain in their spots from a week ago heading into a massive weekend of Big Ten football. Penn State is now left in the rearview mirror, at least for now, in the Big Ten East race.

No. 10 Iowa moved up one spot in its bye week to give the Big Ten four top 10 teams after Penn State fell out.

NEXT: The full USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll After Week 8

Clemson slips in latest ACC Power Rankings

A chaotic season continued for teams in the ACC in Week 4 of the college football season. North Carolina State upset Clemson while Wake Forest and Boston College remained undefeated and finally cracked the Top-25. Georgia Tech also gained momentum …

A chaotic season continued for teams in the ACC in Week 4 of the college football season.

North Carolina State upset Clemson while Wake Forest and Boston College remained undefeated and finally cracked the Top-25. Georgia Tech also gained momentum and knocked off North Carolina at Bobby Dodd Stadium.

Each week The Clemson Insider ranks every team in the ACC 1-14 based off their performance from the previous week of competition. Here are TCI’s ACC power rankings after four weeks of the 2021 season.

  1. Wake Forest – The Demon Deacons dominated Virginia 37-17 this past week in Charlottesville, Va. to remain undefeated. Quarterback Sam Hartman completed 17-of-29 passes for 270 yards and three touchdowns while the Wake Forest defense held strong for the victory. Wake hosts Louisville on Saturday at 12:30 p.m.
  2. NC State – The Wolfpack stunned Clemson on Saturday for their first Textile Bowl win since 2011 with a 27-21 overtime win. NC State positioned itself well in the race for an Atlantic Division title, it hosts Louisiana Tech on Saturday at 6:00 p.m. at Carter-Finley Stadium.
  3. Clemson – The Tigers’ offensive woes continued in the loss at NC State, and they lost key players due to injury in the contest. Clemson hopes to rebound and move over .500 as it hosts Boston College on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at Memorial Stadium.
  4. Boston College – The Eagles fought hard for their first win over an SEC opponent since 2001 as they outlasted Missouri 41-34 on Saturday to remain unbeaten. Boston College relied on a steady rushing attack led by Pat Garwo who rushed 25 times for 175 yards and two touchdowns.
  5. Virginia Tech – The Hokies bounced back after a disappointing road loss at West Virginia with a 21-10 win over Richmond on Saturday. Tre Turner went off on the Spiders with six catches for 102 yards and one touchdown. Virginia Tech has the week off before it hosts Notre Dame on October 9.
  6. Georgia Tech – The Yellow Jackets seized momentum it gained from a close loss at Clemson and walloped North Carolina 45-22 on Saturday at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta. Quarterback Jeff Simms returned and completed 10-of-13 passes for 112 yards and a touchdown while adding 10 rushes for 128 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. Georgia Tech hosts Pitt on Saturday at noon.
  7. Pitt – The Panthers responded to adversity from their loss to Western Michigan with a 77-7 win over New Hampshire last week. Kenny Pickett looked outstanding completing 24-of-28 passes for 403 yards and five touchdowns in the win. Pitt travels to Georgia Tech on Saturday at 12:00 p.m.
  8. Louisville – The Cardinals continued their winning ways with a 31-23 win at Florida State behind outstanding play by Micale Cunningham. Louisville faces a stiff test at undefeated Wake Forest on Saturday at 12:30 p.m.
  9. North Carolina – The Tar Heels looked helpless at Georgia Tech this past week in a lopsided loss. North Carolina looked like a completely different team than the group that bested Virginia one week prior. It hosts rival Duke on Saturday at 12:00 p.m. in the Tobacco Road Rivalry.
  10. Miami – The Hurricanes overwhelmed an inferior opponent 69-0 in a win over Central Connecticut. But Miami looked solid behind Tyler Van Dyke who completed 10-of-11 passes for 270 yards and three touchdowns in the absence of D’Eriq King. They open their ACC slate with Virginia on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
  11. Syracuse – The Orange eked out a 24-21 win over Liberty in the Carrier Dome on Friday thanks to a last second field goal. Syracuse travels to Florida State on Saturday with kickoff set for 3:30 p.m.
  12. Virginia – The Cavaliers fell short again despite another solid performance by quarterback Brennan Armstrong in a 37-17 loss to Wake Forest last Friday night. Virginia’s defense struggled to slow down the Demon Deacons and the offense failed to capitalize on opportunities in the red zone. The Cavaliers travel to Miami on Friday night at 7:30 p.m.
  13. Duke – The Blue Devils won their third straight contest in a 52-33 win over Kansas at Wallace Wade Stadium on Saturday. Duke showed marked improvement for the third straight week but needs to bring its A-game as it travels down the road to face North Carolina on Saturday.
  14. Florida State – The Seminoles’ woes continued as they fell to 0-4 in a 31-23 loss to Louisville. Florida State scored 10 unanswered points in the second half but failed to mount a substantial comeback. It looks for its first win on Saturday as Syracuse comes to town with kickoff set for 3:30 p.m. at Doak Campbell Stadium.

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

ACC, Clemson driving network analyst to the bottle

It’s no secret the ACC is having an especially disappointing season. Clemson’s loss at North Carolina State exacerbated the already glaring issues in the conference. After the four weeks of play the only undefeated teams remaining in the conference …

It’s no secret the ACC is having an especially disappointing season.

Clemson’s loss at North Carolina State exacerbated the already glaring issues in the conference.

After the four weeks of play the only undefeated teams remaining in the conference are Wake Forest and Boston College.

The ACC Network’s Mark Packer tweeted on Sunday morning that his weekly power rankings made him reach for an adult beverage at breakfast time.

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

Swinney: ‘We are not getting it done right now’

RALEIGH, N.C. – Clemson fell short at North Carolina State in a 27-21 double-overtime loss at Carter-Finley Stadium on Saturday. For the fourth straight week the Tigers’ offense failed to meet the standard of head coach Dabo Swinney and offensive …

RALEIGH, N.C. — Clemson fell short at North Carolina State in a 27-21 double-overtime loss at Carter-Finley Stadium on Saturday.

For the fourth straight week the Tigers’ offense failed to meet the standard of head coach Dabo Swinney and offensive coordinator Tony Elliott. 

Elliott and the staff re-evaluated and self-scouted themselves after last week’s anemic performance in the win over Georgia Tech. But in the coordinator’s assessment the Tigers failed to execute in their first true road test.

“We did some self scouting and tried to break up a couple of tendencies,” Elliott said. “But at the end of the day our job as coaches is to put together a plan that gives our guys the best opportunity to be successful and from there they have to do their part and go make plays.”

The Tigers amassed just 214 yards of total offense in the game that included two overtime periods. But the biggest issue on Saturday was moving the chains on third down.

Clemson (2-2, 1-1 ACC) finished the game just 2-of-11 on third down with its only two conversions coming in the fourth quarter and the first overtime period.

In the passing game D.J. Uiagalelei completed 12-of-26 passes for 111 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

The offensive line surrendered three sacks for a loss of 27 yards and did not get the push it wanted in the run game. Clemson rushed for 103 yards on 23 carries for an average of 4.5 yards per rush.

Swinney expressed his disappointment after the loss because the Tigers have yet to reach the program’s standard. And he also responded to criticism of the team’s lack of offensive prowess.

“You are going to get comments and things like that and it comes with a territory because the expectation and the standard at Clemson and who we are, we aren’t meeting that,” he said. “It’s just that simple, so people can say whatever they want and there’s not really anything we can say because we are not getting it done right now.”

The Tigers showed flashes of rhythm on Saturday particular in their first quarter scoring drive and at the end of the game. But they have yet to reach their standard.

Clemson hopes to right the ship before it hosts undefeated Boston College at Memorial Stadium next Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

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

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!

Wolfpack break Tigers hearts

RALEIGH, N.C. – NC State outlasted Clemson 27-21 in double overtime at Carter-Finley Stadium on Saturday. The loss snapped an eight game win streak by the Tigers and was their first loss to the Wolfpack since November 19, 2011 in Raleigh. NC State …

RALEIGH, N.C. — NC State outlasted Clemson 27-21 in double overtime at Carter-Finley Stadium on Saturday.

The loss snapped an eight game win streak by the Tigers and was their first loss to the Wolfpack since November 19, 2011 in Raleigh.

NC State controlled the flow of the game and dominated time of possession with 41:48 compared to the Tigers’ 18:12 and outpaced Clemson in total plays 96-49. 

The lopsided pace of play took a toll on the Tigers’ defense as linebacker James Skalski and defensive tackle Bryan Bresee left the contest with injuries.

Clemson struggled offensively and finished the contest with 214 total yards and 103 yards rushing. D.J. Uiagalelei completed 12-of-26 passes for 11 yards, two touchdowns and one interception, he also led the Tigers in rushing with nine runs for 63 yards.

The teams traded touchdowns in the first quarter as Uiagalelei completed a 32 yard pass to Justyn Ross that gave the Tigers a 7-0 lead with 9:11 to play in the frame. 

NC State responded with a nine yard touchdown pass from Devin Leary to Emeka Emezie with 0:05 left in the first quarter to tie the game at 7-7, which would hold at the half time break.

The Wolfpack took their first lead with 5:10 to play in the third quarter on a 12 yard pass from Leary to Devin Carter to put them up 14-7.

Clemson bounced back with a seven play 80 yard drive in 2:41 capped off by a five yard Will Shipley touchdown run with 10:52 to play in the contest to tie the game at 14-14.

NC State kicked Christopher Dunn missed what would have been the go-ahead field goal as time expired and sent the game into overtime tied at 14, Dunn missed two other field goal attempts earlier in the contest.

Clemson opened with the ball in the first overtime and scored in five plays as Uiagalelei found Ross for a nine yard score on third-and-7 to give it a 21-14 lead.

NC State Answered with a two yard touchdown pass from Leary to Thomas Thayer to tie the game at 21 and force a second overtime.

It only took the Wolfpack two plays to put the pressure on Clemson with a 22 yard touchdown pass from Lary to Devin Carter to give them a 27-21 lead after a failed two point conversion.

Clemson turned the ball over on downs and NC State sealed a 27-21 win over the Tigers.

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

Tigers on the way to Raleigh

Clemson loaded up the buses on Friday afternoon en route to Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport before flying to Raleigh, North Carolina. The Tigers face off against North Carolina State as they renew the Textile Bowl Rivalry at …

Clemson loaded up the buses on Friday afternoon en route to Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport before flying to Raleigh, North Carolina.

The Tigers face off against North Carolina State as they renew the Textile Bowl Rivalry at Carter-Finley Stadium at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Clemson has won eight straight over the Wolfpack including 15 of the last 16 matchups.

Clemson Football posted pictures of the team leaving the Allen Reeves Football Complex and boarding the plane to NC State.

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Report: Jags have met with early-round DT prospect Alim McNeill

The Jags have communicated with DT prospect Alim McNeill, who could help bolster their struggling run defense.

With a new defensive scheme in the Jacksonville Jaguars’ future that could be similar to that of the Baltimore Ravens, it’s expected that the team will add some beef through the draft. That’s exactly why fans should get to know the name of North Carolina State defensive lineman Alim McNeill.

According to Justin Melo of the Draft Network, the Jags are one of several teams McNeill has spoken with in addition to the Green Bay Packers, New York Jets, Seattle Seahawks, and Indianapolis Colts. He’s also scheduled to meet with the New Orleans Saints as well.

The Jags, who named a mostly new staff under new coach Urban Meyer, will have a new defensive coordinator in former Ravens defensive line coach Joe Cullen, who is making his second stop in Duval. When asked what type of scheme the Jags would run, he hinted that the team would show more variety and would cater to what talent is on the roster.

“We are still evaluating our current roster and I’ve been [in the NFL] for 14 years – eight years we were a 4-3 scheme and six years, we were a 3-4 scheme when we were multiple,” said Cullen. “It is all tailored to the personnel that you have and in both schemes, you have the flexibility to do both.”

McNeill would be a great fit as a nose tackle, although many feel 2020 third-round pick DaVon Hamilton could handle those duties as a starter for the Jags. In a scenario where they do draft McNeill, both players could see time on the field together, which could be a scary thought.

Per Pro Football Focus, McNeill played 87% of his total snaps at heads-up nose tackle in 2020. They also stated that he acquired the second-highest grade from that position since 2014, with only Jeffery Simmons of the Tennessee Titans registering a better figure.

McNeill played 87% of his total snaps at heads-up nose tackle this year, making his production nothing short of incredible. Only one player since 2014 has produced a higher PFF grade at 0-technique than McNeil’s 90.5 this season (former Mississippi State Bulldog and current Tennessee Titan Jeffery Simmons in 2017).

McNeill won 10% of his pass-rush snaps at nose tackle, an impressive figure in its own right, but the reason for his success is all due to his run defense. He was a constant disruptor and fully deserved the 92.1 run-defense grade on the year.

McNeill’s grade against the run explains why the Jags could be interested as they were 30th against the rush in 2020, allowing an average of 153.3 yards a game. His 10% success figure on pass-rush snaps is also rather intriguing as that would indicate that McNeill can help them in more than one way.

Several sites on the internet have McNeill being taken late in the second round to the early part of the third round. While the Jags have the first pick in the second round and a pick in the middle of it, their third round pick (No. 65) might be an area where they would select McNeill.

Michigan basketball vs. NC State game expected to be postponed

It doesn’t appear likely that the Wolverines vs. Wolfpack matchup in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge will take place this week.

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For those who were looking forward to a big time Michigan basketball matchup after the 80-58 win over a solid UCF team on Sunday, well, you might have to wait a little while.

The Wolverines were set to tip off on Wednesday against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Crisler Center as part of the Big Ten/ACC Challenge, but with NC State dealing with some COVID-19 issues, the likelihood of that contest taking place appear to be slimming.

We’ve already seen the Wisconsin vs. Louisville matchup postponed, and it looks like the same is about to take place in Ann Arbor, according to The Athletic’s Brendan Quinn.

The good news does come in the form of Quinn’s follow up, that the game will eventually be rescheduled, and that Michigan basketball would try to fill the void left by NC State. But, playing against the Wolfpack would be a valuable litmus test before taking on Big Ten foe Penn State this upcoming Sunday in Ann Arbor.

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College Football News Preview 2020: NC State Wolfpack

College Football News Preview 2020: Previewing, predicting, and looking ahead to the NC State Wolfpack season with what you need to know.

College Football News Preview 2020: Previewing, predicting, and looking ahead to the NC State Wolfpack season with what you need to know.


Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

– What You Need To Know: Offense | Defense
Top Players | Key Players, Games, Stats
What Will Happen, Win Total Prediction
Schedule Analysis
– NC State Previews 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015

2019 Record: 4-8 overall, 1-7 in ACC
Head Coach: Dave Doeren, 8th year, 47-42
2019 CFN Final Opinion Ranking: 79
2019 CFN Final Season Formula Ranking: 112
2019 CFN Preview Ranking: 40

No one knows what’s going to happen to the 2020 college football season. We’ll take a general look at where each team stands – doing it without spring ball to go by – while crossing our fingers that we’ll all have some well-deserved fun this fall. Hoping you and yours are safe and healthy.

5. College Football News Preview 2020: NC State Wolfpack Offense 3 Things To Know

All of a sudden, the offense just stopped. The Wolfpack attack that had no problems blowing past the 5,000-yard mark for five straight years under head coach Dave Doeren – and flirting with 6,000 in 2018 – wasn’t even close last year, finishing 11th in the ACC in total yardage and 12th in scoring.

After scoring 28 points or more in nine of the last 12 games two years ago, the 34-23 win over Ball State was the only time in the last ten games last year when the team scored more than 26.

There were two massive problems: 1) turnovers – more on that later on in the Keys To The Season – and 2) a lack of passing efficiency.

QB Matt McKay left for Montana State, but Devin Leary is backs after taking his lumps as a freshman. The 6-2, 212-pounder only hit 48% of his passes for 1,219 yards and eight scores with five picks, and 6-2, 208-pound junior Bailey Hockman hit 56% of his throws for 546 yards and a score with four picks. Leary has the inside line on the gig again, but freshman Ben Finley will get a long look.


CFN in 60 Video: NC State Wolfpack Preview
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The running back corps was really, really, really young – three then-freshmen and one sophomore – and they’re all back. Now-sophomore Zonovan Knight led the team with 745 yards and five scores, sophomore Jordan Houston is a slasher who was second on the team with 526 yards and two scores, and 6-1, 220-pound Ricky Person Jr. is back after running for 229 yards and three scores despite missing half the season with an ankle injury.

The offensive front that was good in pass protection and wasn’t a huge part of the problem – even though it wasn’t quite consistent enough. Fortunately, most of the starters are expected back. Starting guard Josh Fedd-Jackson is in the transfer portal, but there’s hope for an even stronger season around the other four parts.

Tabari Hines is gone, but everyone else returns to a receiving corps that should be good if the quarterback play is better. 6-3, 210-pound senior Emeka Emezie is a big No. 1 target who led the way with 56 grabs, but he didn’t do much deep – that’s not his game, though.

6-4 sophomore Devin Carter is another big target – he was second on the team with 456 yards – and Thayer Thomas smallish quick receiver who can do a whole lot more than 31 catches. Throw in All-ACC tight end Cary Angeline, and there’s a lot to like about this group.

NEXT: College Football News Preview 2020: NC State Wolfpack Defense 3 Things To Know