ACC

ACC Football News and Notes: Several Teams Still in Play in the Coastal

By John Doucette

Posted on November 19, 2019

With two weeks left in the ACC season, not everything has been decided. The Coastal Division is a mess with several possibles still in play for Virginia, Pittsburgh, and Virginia Tech. The only thing we know for sure is, the winner will get Clemson in the championship game on December 7.

The other bit of impressive news with the league is just how good its been against all comers. The ACC leads the nation with 32 wins vs teams with a .500 record-or-better. It also points out why the league has so many teams that are bowl eligible with two weeks left. Eight teams, Clemson (11-0), Pittsburgh (7-3), Virginia (7-3), Virginia Tech (7-3), Wake Forest (7-3), Louisville (6-4), Miami (6-4) and Florida State (6-4) can start making bowl plans. Boston College can join this group if they can win one more game. It will not be easy as the Eagles will finish their season on the road with games at Notre Dame this Saturday, then at Pittsburgh next Saturday.

Speaking of the Seminoles, they became bowl eligible last Saturday at home beating Alabama State 49-12. The win puts them back in a bowl game for the 38th time in the last 40 seasons. Virginia Tech is another team that has a similar streak. The Hokies victory over Georgia Tech last weekend means that Virginia Tech has made it to bowl season 27 straight times. It’s the longest active streak in the country.

Before the Pittsburgh Panthers can even think of playing in a bowl game, they have to right a ship that did not get off to a good start. The Panthers started the year at 1-2 and have since won five of their last six games to get to a possible bowl game. Head coach Pat Narduzzi improved to 3-0 in overtime games. Pittsburgh, still in the race for the Coastal Division Championship, may have that decided one way or the other when they host Senior Day on November 29 versus Boston College.

Clemson Running back, Travis Etienne, has 51 career rushing touchdowns which rank him second in the history of the league. Pittsburgh’s James Connor (2013-14, 2016) has the mark with 52. Etienne has 55 total TD (51 rushing, 4 receiving). That overall number is also second in league history.

Louisville freshman running back, Jaxian Hawkins, surpassed the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the season. He becomes only the second freshman to reach that plateau.

Next week, more from the ACC as we reach the final weekend of league play.