The ACC has a sterling 8-3 record in bowl games this postseason. A win by Clemson over Alabama in the College Football Playoff title game would further validate the league as a premier conference...............Despite the SEC sending 12 teams to postseason showcases and the Big Ten being represented by four teams with at least 10 wins—Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State and Wisconsin—it has been the ACC that has impressed the most during the 2016-17 postseason. As we head into the final game of a wild season, here is how the conference bowl records stand for the Power Five leagues:
ACC: 8-3
Big 12: 4-2
SEC: 6-6
Pac-12: 3-3
Big Ten: 3-7
Could any college football observer have envisioned such success for the ACC? Well, this wasn’t an overnight shift. Since Florida State broke the SEC’s seven-year streak of national championships with its Jameis Winston-led title run, the ACC has been getting stronger and stronger as the likes of Clemson and others recognized the importance of improving their football programs to compete with the Seminoles. Now, the Tigers are one win away—for the second year in a row—from claiming a national title. Even if he falls short, Dabo Swinney has essentially made Clemson an SEC squad. Meanwhile, FSU should enjoy a bounce back season in 2017, and programs such as Virginia Tech, Miami, Pitt and North Carolina are improving and making the league much deeper than it has ever been. It’s a great time to be associated with the ACC, which is the healthiest it’s been in the post-expansion era. Let’s take a look back at how the ACC has fared this postseason:
Pinstripe Bowl: Pitt vs. Northwestern
The Panthers were unable to contain star Wildcats running back Justin Jackson, who ran for 224 yards and three touchdowns to help Northwestern claim its third bowl victory in program history, 31-24. Pat Narduzzi’s squad also had to deal with injuries to quarterback Nathan Peterman and running back James Conner, but it never quit against the ‘Cats. It was a successful 2016 campaign for the Panthers despite the disappointing loss in the finale, as they finished with victories over Big Ten champ Penn State and ACC champ Clemson. But the Panthers do have to replace the inspirational Conner in the backfield and find a new offensive coordinator, as Matt Canada has assumed the same position at LSU. Narduzzi, a defensive guy, also has to improve a pass defense that was woeful. But there’s no doubt that the Panthers will be a tough “out” every Saturday against upper-echelon ACC squads.
Russell Athletic Bowl: West Virginia vs. Miami
The Hurricanes received a huge game from star quarterback Brad Kaaya to end the school’s 10-year bowl-victory drought, as he threw four touchdown passes in a 31-14 win over the Mountaineers. There was a stretch in which he went 18-of-19 passing, although Mark Richt will need to replace that production with Kaaya going pro. All in all, Richt had a successful first season at his alma mater, as he has started to change the culture in Coral Gables. Of course, eventually, the Hurricanes will need to start competing with and beating the likes of Clemson and Florida State in the ACC for the Richt tenure to be considered a success.
LINK:
https://campusinsiders.com/news/acc-bowl-success-bright-present-bright-future-01-04-2017/
ACC: 8-3
Big 12: 4-2
SEC: 6-6
Pac-12: 3-3
Big Ten: 3-7
Could any college football observer have envisioned such success for the ACC? Well, this wasn’t an overnight shift. Since Florida State broke the SEC’s seven-year streak of national championships with its Jameis Winston-led title run, the ACC has been getting stronger and stronger as the likes of Clemson and others recognized the importance of improving their football programs to compete with the Seminoles. Now, the Tigers are one win away—for the second year in a row—from claiming a national title. Even if he falls short, Dabo Swinney has essentially made Clemson an SEC squad. Meanwhile, FSU should enjoy a bounce back season in 2017, and programs such as Virginia Tech, Miami, Pitt and North Carolina are improving and making the league much deeper than it has ever been. It’s a great time to be associated with the ACC, which is the healthiest it’s been in the post-expansion era. Let’s take a look back at how the ACC has fared this postseason:
Pinstripe Bowl: Pitt vs. Northwestern
The Panthers were unable to contain star Wildcats running back Justin Jackson, who ran for 224 yards and three touchdowns to help Northwestern claim its third bowl victory in program history, 31-24. Pat Narduzzi’s squad also had to deal with injuries to quarterback Nathan Peterman and running back James Conner, but it never quit against the ‘Cats. It was a successful 2016 campaign for the Panthers despite the disappointing loss in the finale, as they finished with victories over Big Ten champ Penn State and ACC champ Clemson. But the Panthers do have to replace the inspirational Conner in the backfield and find a new offensive coordinator, as Matt Canada has assumed the same position at LSU. Narduzzi, a defensive guy, also has to improve a pass defense that was woeful. But there’s no doubt that the Panthers will be a tough “out” every Saturday against upper-echelon ACC squads.
Russell Athletic Bowl: West Virginia vs. Miami
The Hurricanes received a huge game from star quarterback Brad Kaaya to end the school’s 10-year bowl-victory drought, as he threw four touchdown passes in a 31-14 win over the Mountaineers. There was a stretch in which he went 18-of-19 passing, although Mark Richt will need to replace that production with Kaaya going pro. All in all, Richt had a successful first season at his alma mater, as he has started to change the culture in Coral Gables. Of course, eventually, the Hurricanes will need to start competing with and beating the likes of Clemson and Florida State in the ACC for the Richt tenure to be considered a success.
LINK:
https://campusinsiders.com/news/acc-bowl-success-bright-present-bright-future-01-04-2017/
