Copyright Augusta Free Press
Living on the edge for the last month, #15 Virginia, which has won three of its last four games in overtime, now takes the high-wire act across country heading into Saturday’s contest with Cal. This past Saturday, the Cavaliers (7-1, 4-0 ACC) boarded buses for the short trip to Chapel Hill to renew the “The South’s Oldest Rivalry” with UNC. This coming Saturday, Virginia will have traveled nearly 2,800 miles for their first-ever game with Cal (5-3, 3-2 ACC). Welcome to the All-Coast Conference, previously known as the Atlantic Coast Conference. And by the way, don’t expect the Golden Bears to be feeling sorry for the road-weary Cavaliers. Cal just made the reverse commute last weekend, losing to Virginia Tech, 42-34 in double overtime. Off to their best start since 2007, Virginia is one of the only two ACC teams still unbeaten in conference play, along with eighth-ranked Georgia Tech (8-0, 5-0 ACC). Cal is 3-1 at home this season, one win shy of bowl eligibility. A glance at the Cal schedule, and pardon me for thinking this, but the five wins may be fool’s gold. Virginia will be the first-ranked opponent making the trip to Berkeley this season. Cal lost at home to Duke, 45-21, and barely survived a mistake-prone North Carolina, winning 21-18. The Golden Bears lead the ACC in travel miles, having already played on the East Coast twice (Boston College, VT), and still have a trip to Louisville before the season concludes. Storm clouds gathering in Atlanta? Georgia Tech is undefeated and has moved into the Top 10 in the AP and coaches’ polls. Yellow Jackets quarterback Haynes King was just named the ACC Quarterback of the Week, his fourth such honor this season. Yet, GT fans might not want to get too comfortable. Sunday, LSU fired Brian Kelly after a 5-3 start to the season. A line has already formed for possible replacements for the job in Baton Rouge. Including Tech’s Brent Key, which, according to some, may be near the top of the Tiger wish list. And for those wishful Yellow Jacket fans thinking, “Georgia Tech is his alma mater, he won’t leave,” just stop. The massive pay upgrade and the fact that the LSU job is perhaps the best college coaching gig in the country are enough to lure Key out of town. Key has turned the GT program around, going 4-4 when he took over as an interim coach, and he now has a 26-16 overall mark in his fourth season. The Yellow Jackets play smashmouth football, something Kelly’s LSU teams were criticized for not playing. The resources at LSU, or other big-time coaching jobs, will be something Key has to consider. I warned about Louisville’s Jeff Brohm leaving the Bluegrass State for greener pastures. Don’t be surprised if Key leaves Atlanta as well. More coaching gossip UNC’s GM, Michael Lombardi, argued that it was smarter to go for two and try to win Saturday’s game with Virginia, rather than kick the extra point, and send the game into the second overtime. Another vote of confidence for Tar Heels coach Bill Belichick. That’s all I need to know. Belichick won’t be in Chapel Hill next season. Darn, when I was starting to enjoy the circus again. UNC is now 2-5, and no despite what “Chapel Bill” says, things aren’t going to get better. No one on Tobacco Road is predicting a turnaround in the final five games of the season. They’re forecasting who the head coach will be in 2026. The UNC job is undoubtedly a desirable destination. And heck, how could the next coach be a worse hire than Belichick? Unless, perhaps, Brian Kelly gets a call. Kelly, on the football side, would be a no-brainer hire. But character, that may be another story. Would UNC really take the gamble on making another marquee-named head coach? ACC Power Rankings
