Hokies impressive with Vick at the helm

From Marcus Vick's impressive play to Florida State's perfect season to an improved Wake Forest team, the ACC is covered here.

Updated: October 12, 2005, 1:06 PM ET
By Doug Carlson | Special to ESPN.com
Boston College
Oh, to have that first pass against Florida State back again. QB Quinton Porter, under pressure, heaved one toward the flat that FSU LB A.J. Nicholson returned 19 yards for a touchdown on the first play of the Eagles' ACC debut on Sept. 17. BC had a great opportunity to beat the Seminoles at home that night, in which case they now would be in command of the Atlantic Division. Give the Eagles credit for coming back the next week to win in overtime at Clemson. Their running game has been outstanding behind the league's best offensive line, but where the Eagles may be surprising some is with a defense that ranks only behind Virginia Tech in points allowed. BC leads the league against the run and has given up just two rushing touchdowns.

Midseason MVP
The Eagles' offensive and defensive lines. That's why BC has two running backs (L.V. Whitworth and Andre Callender) who rate among the top six in the ACC in individual rushing and a defense that leads the league against the run (giving up 70 yards a game).

What's next
The Eagles will get a different kind of test when they face Wake Forest's misdirection ground game Saturday, then comes a Thursday night showdown at Virginia Tech that is among the more interesting remaining games in the ACC this season. A victory in Blacksburg not only would ruin the Hokies' national title hopes, but would give BC, which doesn't play Miami this season, a good chance of finishing the season ranked in the top 10. Unfortunately, the loss to Florida State virtually assures the Eagles won't be playing in the league title game, unless the Seminoles somehow lose twice in the ACC between now and Nov. 12.


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