Shake it up...

Hold the phone, yo. Just when we thought we had the ACC solved, another Thursday Night ACC Shake Up went down. A few weeks back Florida State loses to NC State. Next week, Boston College railroads Virginia Tech. This week, the Chokies came to play and upended the league's best, #10 Clemson.

Tech rolls 24-7 this week coming off of a 22-3 beating last week in Chestnut Hill. That's good coaching and it's making for exciting conference play. The ACC almost feels Pac 10-like this year where anyone can knock off anyone.

GT beats VT. Clemson pounds GT. VT whoops Clemson. BC beat Clemson, VT and FSU. NCST beats BC and FSU but loses to MD and Wake.

Then there's Miami. 2-1 in conference and #2 in the Coastal. It almost sounds good until you realize the loss was against Florida State (last in the Atlantic) and the two wins were against North Carolina and down-to-the-wire Duke. It's even less impressive than it looks on paper.

The Canes' ACC season starts this Saturday. Up to now it's been the preseason. The mission starts at Georgia Tech and ends with Boston College and there are no breathers along the way. Virginia Tech, Maryland and Virginia are in middle. All five are capable of beating Miami. Especially if these kids can't get their heads on straight.

To make a run, this team needs to look forward. It's 0-0 right now and a brand new season. Go 5-0 and get to Jacksonville? People will quickly forget 1-2... for a while. Anything less, this will go down as Miami's worst season in a decade.

The heat is on. Will these kids fold under pressure or will they turn the season around on a dime? I don't have a clue. This team hasn't been tested since Louisville. Sure, there's been improvement each week (until short-handed at Duke) - but these were nobodies and the Canes looked average at best.

Miami has a knack for playing down to the level of the competition. Was that the case the past four weeks or is Miami 'that' bad? We'll find out this weekend.

We've all tried to block out the Florida State loss, but in hindsight, Miami fought hard that game. The intensity level was upped because it was that 'next level' ballgame. Big opponent. Big stakes. The Canes live for those games. They pin their ears back and go fool bore. Rusty Medearis-style, throwing their bodies around with reckless abandonment.

Miami and Florida State both look sub-par now, but on Labor Day they kicked it up a notch and beat the hell out of each other - convincing the nation these were 'supposedly' two top notch defenses.

For the first time in six games, Miami will be jacked up for a big time game. Will that energy translate into focus and execution? Or will the wheels fall off on national TV... again?

I don't care what these Canes have done thus far in 2006. It is what it is. The money's on the table. Miami's backed into a corner. Big time. They have the talent to come out swinging. Their predecessors have. If you want to be a great Miami team, you have to get that signature win. A run has to start somewhere. What better place than here? What better time than now? (Thanks, RATM).

I have no idea what to expect against Georgia Tech. My judgment is clouded. If I get that gut feeling the Canes will pull it out, my logical side calls me a 'bleeding heart'. Or I go the pessimistic route, expecting Louisville: Part Deux and I feel like it's too early to give up on this team. I owe them one more game. Beat Georgia Tech.

That's really what this season has come down to for me; beat the Jackets. If you lose the next four, kick some ass in Atlanta this weekend. This team stole one in the Orange Bowl last year. (Yes, stole.) True, their defense planted Kyle Wright like a petunia and Miami couldn't run the ball.

Georgia Tech's 14 points both came on drives where Miami self-imploded and once had an interception called back for a bogus pass interference. Even with that, the Canes had the ball with time on the clock and were down four points. You can't ask for any more than that on a night where nothing went your way. Possession and time to score. Just don't underthrow the tight end.

The loss to the Yellow Jackets ruined the Canes. They played uninspired against Virginia in the finale and then got throttled by LSU in the Peach Bowl. 2006 then opens with losses to Florida State and Louisville in a three-game span. We're talking 2-4 in a six game span starting with last year's 14-10 loss.

Virginia Tech made a statement tonight. As much as I hate them, I'll give credit where it's due. The Hokies were flat out embarrassed at BC. Kirk Herbstreit chastised the lackadaisical attitude and body language during the, 22-3 beatdown two weeks ago.

They got it together and beat Southern Miss, 36-6 and waited in the wings for Clemson. The Tigers whipped the Jackets, 31-7 last weekend and looked like the top ACC dog by a long shot. Virginia Tech was going to make a statement; that they're still a player or that they're toast.

The soaked up the Lane Stadium vibe, worked the #10 team in the country, 24-7 and showed that they're still alive in the ACC hunt.

Miami doesn't get homefield, but they get a lesser-ranked team (#21) and the same opportunity; redemption. The psyche of this team is going one direction or other after this game. A loss and those wheels will fall off as the Larry Coker era sputters to a halt. The Canes lose this Saturday, they drop 3-4 more this year.

But a win? Talk about a shot of adrenaline for a bunch of kids who are hanging on by a thread right how. Winning breeds winners. A win at Georgia Tech will bring the positive press ("Miami still in the hunt, etc.") and gives this team something to build on.

For a team that started the season with suspensions to four players, a season-opening loss to an arch rival, a huge road loss, no credit for wins over lesser teams, a brawl, the fallout from the brawl, suspensions and surviving a nail-biter against the conference doormat... With a game-saving interception by a kid best known for getting shot in the ass this past summer. Not to mention, a coach who's been on the hot seat since last season's bowl game.

Not exactly the blueprint for a National Championship run.

Still, this can be salvaged. The ACC has no front runner and we are yet to see Miami's best game. Clemson, Virginia Tech, Boston College and Georgia Tech have all shined at times but also fell flat on their faces.

The curtain's opening and Miami's taking the main stage in one of this Saturday's most pivotal games. Love or hate the Canes, you'll be watching - praying for a win or begging for a loss.

Win? Things could get interesting. Lose? We'll talk about that Sunday if need be.

Like I said a few weeks ago, baby steps.


.:Canes305:.