The Atlantic Coast Conference was thought to be a three-team race during the preseason, with Clemson ultimately expected to find a way to emerge atop the heap and compete for another College Football Playoff berth.
It’s not even October yet and the results are in: Barring a complete and utter meltdown over the next eight weeks, the ACC race is hereby declared over. Virginia Tech was riding high after beating Florida State on the road during opening weekend. The Seminoles have since been exposed as one of the year’s biggest disappointments.
Then on Saturday, the Hokies came out flat in a stunning loss to previously winless Old Dominion, punctuated by an injury to starting quarterback Josh Jackson and the dismissal of top edge rusher Trevon Hill.