In Saturday’s season-opening weekend, three ACC teams were in action: Florida State faced Georgia Tech in Ireland, and SMU traveled to Nevada.
Yep, don’t forget that SMU is now a member of the conference.
For the suits watching from the ACC headquarters in Charlotte, the weekend was lousy.
You think the conference officials were happy that the Yellow Jackets, a double-digit underdog, beat #10 FSU?
The conference wants, no make that, absolutely needs, a top-shelf team to even be mentioned in the conversation with the SEC and Big Ten.
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With the egg the Seminoles laid on national television against the Ramblin’ Wreck, even if they go on to win out, that loss Saturday is not a good look for the conference.
Another bad look for the ACC: the Seminoles loss wasn’t just an upset.
Georgia Tech was flat out the better team.
Florida State lost the battle of the trenches on both sides of the ball.
Aside from their opening drive, FSU struggled offensively.
After scoring an easy touchdown on its opening possession, FSU didn’t find the end zone again until there was just 6:33 remaining in the game.
Seminole journeyman quarterback DJ Uiagalelei, playing for his third school in five years, looked the part of a journeyman QB.
Of course, you could argue that in the new 12-team College Football Playoff, FSU can overcome Saturday’s debacle.
You can argue that if you want, but it’s not happening.
The Seminoles need huge improvements on both sides of the ball to get back into that conversation.
Hard to believe that FSU has had almost eight months to redeem themselves from the embarrassing performance in last season’s Orange Bowl.
Remember that?
Georgia 63, FSU 3.
The Bulldogs exposed the lack of heart by FSU.
The Yellow Jackets potentially exposed much more.
In the other game, SMU, making its debut game as an ACC member, barely escaped an embarrassing loss to Nevada, a Mountain West bottom-feeder, winning 29-24.
Remember the Mustangs were so desperate to join a power conference they are basically playing for free in the ACC for the next decade.
Makes you wonder, who was more desperate, SMU or the ACC?
Against the Wolfpack, picked to finish last in the MWC, SMU trailed for most of the game, often looking lost on both sides of the ball.
Despite playing from behind, the Mustangs managed to pull out a win on a last-minute touchdown reception by tight end RJ Maryland.
SMU entered the contest as a 25-point favorite.
A puzzling look by a team as seen as a dark horse to make the ACC Championship Game.
Anyway, the ACC is getting a bargain from SMU.
Or are they?
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