Just as last week was difficult for me to provide decent stats for you due to weak performances, this week was equally as difficult- but for the opposite reason. There was so much offense in the ACC this past week that it was difficult to really pick the best performers out. I actually have to expand this week from providing helmet stickers for the top three performers to actually four and in some cases five performers. Without further ado, here they are.

Quarterback: Week 3 really allowed for the ACC to start opening up their offense and it really showed. It wasn’t just the teams that played against weaker opponents, either. We really saw probably the best overall stats of any conference this week come out of the ACC. FSU’s Christian Ponder (pictured left, thanks Icon SMI) didn’t have unbelievable passing stats as he only went 21 for 26 for 195 yards and 2 TDs, but what he lacked in throwing yards, he more than made up for it in running yards as he had 77 and a TD. Wake’s Riley Skinner had a solid outing as he threw 14 balls for 289 yards and 3 TDs with 1 interception. Miami’s Jaccory Harris showed that the FSU game was not a fluke as he threw 20 balls for 270 yards and 3 TDs. NC State is finally starting to show why they had the preseason hype that they did and Russell Wilson is the biggest part of that. He went 26 for 36 for 345 yards and 4 TDs. The top performer and surprise newcomer this week was Virginia’s Jameel Sewell as he went 24 for 46 for 312 yards with 2 TDs and added 23 yards rushing and 2 more TDs. Could this be a sign of things to come in their new scheme?

Runningback: The RB position didn’t disappoint this past weekend either. Florida State finally found their running game as the team overall rushed for just over 300 yards. Ty Jones saw a good bit of that as he rushed 12 times for 108 yards and a TD. True freshman and Fullback convert Lonnie Pryor saw his first collegiate action this weekend for the Noles and showed why he was a high recruit as he only had 7 touches for 50 yards and 2 TDs. Maryland’s success on offense didn’t just stop at their QB position as Da’Rel Scott also got things really going this past weekend as he rushed 13 times for 117 yards and 1 TD which was the most yards by any of the RB in the ACC this weekend. The Hokies saw their freshman running back continue to tear apart defenses as he ran 21 times for 107 yards and a score. The most productive back of the week was that of NC State’s Tony Baker as he rushed 10 times for 71 yards and 2 TDs.

Wide Receiver: This past weekend also saw some breakout performances in the receiver group as well. There were some definite unknowns on this week’s list; perhaps stars in the making? Georgia Tech, again not known for their aerial assault, continues to post solid numbers in the passing game as Demaryius Thomas hauled in 6 balls for 133 yards and 1 TD. Playing from behind will usually do that for the air game.  Maryland may have found their Derrius Heyword-Bey replacement in Torrey Smith as he caught 5 passes for 165 yards and 2 TDs. The Tar Heels may have also found themselves a replacement in the receiver group as well in Eric Highsmith. He helped put UNC over the top late in the game as he caught 6 balls for 113 yards and a TD. With NC State passing so much, someone was bound to break out; George Bryan. He made 6 receptions for 89 yards and 2 scores.

Tight End: We even saw the TE position get a little love this week. FSU continues to prove the doubters wrong by using their tight ends in their game plan. Caz Piurowski caught 5 balls for 38 yards and a score. Miami may have found their star TE this season in Dedrick Epps who caught 3 passes for 37 yards and a TD.

This is going to be probably the toughest single week for the entire ACC across the board. Granted, there are a couple cheesecake Div II schools in there but, I am expecting some very, very tough games for all but 3 ACC schools this week. That could either mean some knockdown, drag-out fights or some clobbering of the ACC.

Most Fantasy Impact in a negative way:

North Carolina at GT – Georgia Tech has really struggled thus far this season. When matched up against good defenses, the team has a hard time moving the ball, evidenced by the second half of the Clemson game and the whole game against Miami last week. We all know that the Triple option is the bread and butt for this team and when the run is stopped, they don’t stand a chance to move the ball as the passing game is next to nonexistent.  Unfortunately for the Jackets, they face one of the top defenses in the nation. Look for Tar Heels to put the emphasis on stopping the run just like they are supposed to and yet another game where Tech struggles.

Rutgers at Maryland – Maryland lost to Div II Middle Tennessee State last week. Rutgers is improved over last year’s tame.  Maryland is going to go down early in this game forcing Chris Turner to try and throw for the win. Only problem is that even though he had a great day last week, I would not expect a replicated performance this week.

Miami at Virginia Tech – This is going to be one of two things; an ugly and uneventful defensive match with very few points scored or a complete blowout for Miami and they prove they are the real deal.  I have a feeling this is going to be more of a defensive game, similar to the game Tech had last week against Nebraska which was scored in the last few seconds of the game. I think Miami is good, but not quite sure they are the #9 team in the nation. I think their win last week against Georgia Tech was overblown because of GT being way overhyped this year.

Pittsburgh at NC State – Russell Wilson has got this offense clicking like they were supposed to come out doing. He has thrown 8 TDs in the last two weeks. I would expect some good stats from him, but nothing huge. Pittsburgh has statistically had one of the better defenses during the early stages of the season and they know that this game could help them climb their way into the top 25.

Most Fantasy Impact in a positive way:

South Florida at FSU – Bobby Bowden is 30-1 when facing a team for the first time and the lone loss came in the mid-80s when they played in the Big House against then #5 Michigan. USF QB Matt Grothe is done for the season which means redshirt freshman B.J. Daniels will be starting for the Bulls in a hostile environment. Watch for USF to stick around in this game as FSU has tended to play poorly in games right after big wins during this decade.

North Carolina Central at Duke – Look for Duke to use their loss last week against Kansas to be their motivation to trounce against this Div II team and try and go 2-2 on the season. Duke needs this game to make a statement, not to the pollsters, but to themselves.

Related posts:

1. ACC Bookends Week 2: The Duke Spirit
2. ACC Bookends
3. ACC Bookends
4. ACC Bookends: Ride the FSU and Miami Roller Coaster
5. ACC Bookends for Week 1

Tags: ACC