ACC Rewind | Cards FSU's toughest test left
Florida State will face no tougher stretch in its 2014 slate than matching up with Notre Dame and the University of Louisville in back-to-back games.
The Seminoles remained undefeated by topping the Irish Oct. 18. Next up, of course, is a Thursday night meeting with U of L, a must-win for the Cardinals to maintain any hope in the ACC's Atlantic Division race.
Following U of L, Florida State faces Virginia, Miami and Boston College before finishing the regular season out of conference versus Florida.
Through Saturday's slate, a look around the rest of the ACC:
ATLANTIC DIVISION
1. Florida State (7-0, 4-0) — If the school is to punish Jameis Winston following upcoming student conduct case related to the Heisman Trophy winner's alleged sexual assault in December 2012, it appears any action would be taken after Thursday's game. It's still uncertain when the hearing will take place. (http://on.tdo.com/1xs3vhB)
2. Clemson (6-2, 5-1) — Clemson's offense started slumping in a close victory over U of L, and that carried over all the way to Saturday's 16-6 win over Syracuse. The Tigers, though, have found a groove in their ground game despite scoring three touchdowns in their last 77 possessions. (http://grnol.co/1tzw914)
3. Louisville (6-2, 4-2) — With Florida State up next, the Cards were off over the weekend. Considering a two-loss start, U of L beat writer Jeff Greer graded the second trimester of the regular season. See if you agree with the assessment. (http://cjky.it/1zbOgNX)
4. Boston College (5-3, 2-2) — Wake Forest nearly rallied from a 17-0 hole to tie in the fourth quarter, but a late Eagles interception capped Boston College's 23-17 win in Winston Salem. (http://foxs.pt/1pNULxW)
5. Syracuse (3-5, 1-3) — The Orange went without scoring a touchdown in a game for the second tie this season, falling to Clemson in a game where they tallied just 170 yards of tittle offense, converted 3 of 16 third downs and averaged 2.6 yards per carry. (http://bit.ly/12IPHGa)
6. NC State (4-4, 0-4) — Given a week off after its loss at U of L, the Wolfpack went to work on a defense that is setting a record pace in a bad way. Through four ACC games, NC State is allowed 39.25 points per game. (http://bit.ly/1DgkmWv)
7. Wake Forest (2-6, 0-4) — The Deacons didn't lay down in the second half, driving to within a touchdown of Boston College after trailing by three scores in the second half. "We just know we're not the team to be counted out," said offensive lineman Antonio Ford. (http://bit.ly/1wttpCq)
COASTAL DIVISION
1. Duke (6-1, 2-1) — The Blue Devils basked in bowl-eligibility during a week off, heading into Saturday as one of 22 FBS teams with six victories. Duke wants more, though — perhaps another trip to the ACC championship game. "I like the fact that they expect to win," coach David Cutcliffe said. (http://bit.ly/1nHhErg)
2. Georgia Tech (6-2, 3-2) — The Yellow Jackets rebounded from consecutive losses to Duke and UNC, racking up 600 yards of offense without a pair of top running backs. "Credit to Tech's offensive line," write the Atlanta Journal Constitution's Jeff Schultz, "but Pitt didn't look prepared for the option offense" in a 56-28 game. (http://on-ajc.com/1rFWJkQ)
3. North Carolina (4-4, 2-2) — Coach Larry Fedora called Saturday's finish at Virginia simply "wild." The Tar Heels came out a 28-27 victor after an interception, a touchdown pass by their backup quarterback and a successful onside kick — with the lead. (http://bit.ly/1tzwhxD)
4. Miami (5-3, 2-2) — On a Thursday night in Blacksburg, Hurricanes running back Duke Johnson starred, tallying 249 yards and a score on his 29 carries to lead Miami past Virginia Tech, 30-6. (http://hrld.us/1tWuULt)
5. Pittsburgh (4-4, 2-2) — Five fumbles in the first quarter — tying the FBS record — doomed the Panthers' effort against Georgia Tech. Said safety Ray Vinopal: "We got beat bad." (http://bit.ly/1wtftbk)
6. Virginia (4-4, 2-2) — The same team that nearly upset UCLA in Week 1 and beat a ranked U of L team early in the season is struggling against the middle-of-the-road portion of its league schedule. And that had coach Mike London fuming after a loss to UNC. (http://bit.ly/1DgkyFj)
7. Virginia Tech (4-4, 1-3) — Against Miami, the Hokies failed to score a touchdown in a game for the first time since September of 1995. After another loss, coach Frank Beamer noted, "I think we're really going to be a good football team next year." (http://bit.ly/1FOES4C)
Jonathan Lintner can be reached at (502) 582-4199. Follow him on Twitter @JonathanLintner .