Associated Press
The ACC notebook …Don’t hate the ACC because it has no dominant team. Embrace the league for it’s depth and unpredictability.
Three ACC teams fell out of the rankings this week ó Wake Forest, Virginia Tech and North Carolina. Three more moved in ó No. 21 Georgia Tech, No. 23 Boston College and No. 24 Florida State.
Clemson, the preseason favorite, appears to be headed for a total washout. Virginia looked like the worst team in conference the first month of the season and now the Cavaliers can’t lose. Maryland does Virginia one better. One week it’s Fear the Turtle. The next week, the Terps are as helpless as a turtle on its back.
What team will emerge from this mess as champ? Who knows? But here’s a prediction: the participants in the ACC championship game at Tampa, Fla., on Dec. 6 will have at least five losses combined.
MARYLAND-N.C. STATECOLLEGE PARK, Md. ó The eerie fashion in which Maryland has performed this season is no joking matter to coach Ralph Friedgen, who has done almost everything imaginable to inspire his team to play to its potential against lesser opponents.
Yet Friedgen couldn’t help making light of the situation after the Terrapins knocked off No. 21 Wake Forest 26-0 on Saturday, Maryland’s fifth straight win over a ranked foe. Next up: A matchup Saturday against North Carolina State (2-5), the only winless team in the ACC.
“Any way you guys can vote them in the Top 25?” Friedgen asked reporters, flashing a wry grin.
Turning serious, he added, “I think they’re a very dangerous team. I’d like to sit here and guarantee you that I can get these guys right. The only thing I can guarantee is that I’m going to do everything in my power to get them to realize it.”
HARPER SURGERY
CLEMSON, S.C. ó Clemson quarterback Cullen Harper had surgery on his non-throwing left shoulder Sunday and expects to be ready to start the Tigers next game at Boston College on Nov. 1.
Interim Tiger coach Dabo Swinney said Harper’s operation went well and he should return for Tuesday’s practice.
The right-handed Harper had arthroscopic surgery on his throwing shoulder last fall.
Harper started the season as the favorite to win the ACC player of the year while the Tigers were expected to win the league title. However, he and the team have struggled and are 3-4.
Willy Korn, Clemson’s starter in a 21-17 loss to Georgia Tech, sustained a bone bruise early in the game.
NO ACC IN BCS
No ACC teams were in the BCS Top 10.
Texas, Alabama and Penn State were followed by Oklahoma (.832).
Southern California (.775) is fifth, Oklahoma State (.773) sixth and Georgia (.720) is seventh.Texas Tech (.713), Ohio State (.703) and Florida (.699) round out the top 10.
THREE IN POLL
In the AP poll, the ACC is included, but all three are in the bottom five.
No. 21 Georgia Tech is ranked for the first time since early last season. No. 23 is Boston College. No. 24 Florida State moved back into the rankings for the second time this season.
Virginia Tech, North Carolina and Wake Forest all fell out.