ACC Games to Watch

Syracuse at Maryland:
It was just a  few weeks ago we were looking at the Terps to be a possible sleeper to play havoc in the ACC.  Since starting 4-0, Maryland has been outscore 163-64, with a huge drop off in run game efficiency by averaging just 2.8 yards per carry.  CJ Brown has been ineffective since his injury against FSU, playing in just one game where he averaged just 5.7 yards per attempt and threw a pair of interceptions.  Caleb Rowe hasn't been any better, by completing only 48.5% of his passes on the season.  The loss of top wideouts Stefon Diggs and Deon Long who had combined for 66 receptions isn't helping the struggling signal callers. The defense has still played solidly, but is no longer forcing turnovers with just a single interception in the last four games.  In part its been a lack of pass rush, since they've tallied just four sacks and a single hurry.  The Orange will be looking to take advantage of the weakened Terrapins, with a stifling defense that has allowed just a 30% conversion rate on third downs, and a 5.2 yards per play mark.  Syracuse has been able to pressure QBs on 14% of their dropbacks, and have been even tougher against teh run by allowing only 3.7 yards per carry.  If Terrel Hunt can find some rhythm as the starter, the offense might be able to get going.  Hunt though is only averaging 3.8 yards per attempt in conference play, and hasn't thrown a TD against his six interceptions.  These are a pair of teams that are in distress, but both are in the hunt for a bowl game.  It should figure to be a super low scoring affair as both offenses struggle to get their footing.

Virginia Tech at Miami (FL)
The Hokies basically have to win this game to have a shot at a conference championship game appearance and to have a chance at an upper tier bowl game.  The Hokies fortunes follow Logan Thomas, and the last two weeks its been bad Logan showing up.  Thomas has completed just 57% of his passes whiel tossing six picks and just a pair of touchdowns.  Last week he was sacked four times, leading to VT averaging just 28 yards per drive, and just two of thirteen drives reached the red zone.  It was a perfect storm as the defense also allowed 34 points to a BC team that had been averaging 24 points a game.  They do luck out facing a Miami team that is now beat up and missing their biggest offensive threat in Duke Johnson.  The 'Canes allow just 7% of their plays to be run for negative yardage, so Dallas Crawford should be able to fill in for Johnson.  Crawford has had 12% of his carries go for more than 10 yards, but is not as explosive as Johnson with no carries of more than 20 yards.  It will be put more pressure on Stephen Morris who has already struggled the last three weeks, completing just 56% of his passes with three touchdowns and six ints.  His mobility has been limited, which is not good against this pressure filled Hokies defense.  The defense has got to make some plays in the backfield after making just 14 stops behind the line of scrimmage the last three weeks, after starting the season by averaging seven per game.