North Carolina picked up its fourth-straight win last week to improve to 7-1 on the season behind another huge performance from Drake Maye. The Tar Heel quarterback threw five touchdown passes in his team’s comeback victory over Pitt.
The success leaves North Carolina in control of the ACC Coastal Division entering November after the victory. The Tar Heels were not the only team to rally late for a victory. North Carolina State came back from a three-score deficit to upend Virginia Tech. Speaking of the Hokies, how long has it been since they were a factor in the ACC?
UNC and everyone else is still chasing Clemson but I think the Tigers are vulnerable again this year. Clemson overcame four turnovers and an 11-point deficit in the second half to beat previously-unbeaten Syracuse and extend the nation’s longest home winning streak to an ACC-record 38 games. It took a quarterback change for the Tigers to pull this one out. Cade Klubnik relieved D.J. Uiagalelei after his third turnover and the first-year quarterback led multiple scoring drives.
Drake Maye
The Tar Heels are getting better weekly and will be favored in every game the rest of the season. This means a potential showdown with Clemson in the ACC Championship Game is upcoming.
Speaking of quarterback changes, NC State needed one in its comeback win over the Hokies. MJ Morris replaced Jack Chambers and led the Pack on a 18-point comeback featuring three late touchdown passes.
One team that did not post a comeback win was Wake Forest. The Demon Deacons completely fell apart at Louisville. One of the worst quarters in ACC history came last week in the third after six turnovers completely shifted the game in Louisville’s favor. The Cardinals scored 35 points in that frame and broke the game open.
Just two weeks ago, Syracuse was undefeated. The Orange proceeded to fall to Clemson and then took another tumble last week, falling to visiting Notre Dame by a 41-24 count.
Again, it looks like we will have a Clemson/North Carolina matchup in the ACC Championship Game. It is also beginning to look like the ACC will be well represented during the Bowl season.
