The ACC proved to be just as top-heavy in football as pundits predicted — the conference went 5-6 overall in bowls, but captured a pair of BCS wins, including the National Championship. Miami, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech and Boston College all fell flat against competition hailing from major programs after posting relatively good seasons, with three of the four schools falling by more than 20 points.
Virginia Tech senior quarterback Logan Thomas was injured in the second quarter of a 42-12 pounding at the hands of No. 17 UCLA, concluding his career as a three-year starter and leaving the Hokies searching for a new quarterback heading into next season.
Coastal Division runner-up No. 24 Duke put up a strong performance in a shootout against heavily-favored No. 21 Texas A&M, but lost 52-48 in a heartbreaking finish to Johnny Manziel and the Aggies.
But in the Orange Bowl, No. 12 Clemson dealt No. 7 Ohio State just its second loss in the past two seasons, as senior quarterback Tajh Boyd capped his illustrious career by capturing his first BCS bowl win. Boyd and junior wide receiver Sammy Watkins dazzled fans on offense, with Watkins catching an Orange Bowl record 16 passes for 227 yards and earning MVP honors.
Finally, No. 1 Florida State captured a thrilling 34-31 win against No. 2 Auburn in the BCS National Championship, ending the SEC’s run of seven consecutive titles. The win marked the Seminoles’ second BCS title, and Florida State will remain the only ACC school to ever win the BCS Championship — the system will transition to the four-team College Football Playoff next season.
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Florida State freshman quarterback Jameis Winston became the first ACC player to capture the Heisman trophy since fellow Seminole quarterback Chris Weinke did it in 2000. Winston is the youngest player ever to win the award. He finished his season with 4,057 passing yards, 44 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions en route to also capturing the Manning Award, AP Player of the Year honors and BCS National Championship Offensive MVP.
Winston captured 79.2% of the ballots in the Heisman voting — good for the eighth-highest percentage all time — but many suspect the number would have been higher had it not been for unproven allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman in late 2012.
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The conference was well represented in both the men’s and women’s soccer championships. Three of the four semifinalists in both tournaments hailed from the ACC, with Notre Dame defeating Maryland to win the men’s tournament and Florida State taking second place in the women’s tournament.
Virginia faltered in the semifinal of both tournaments. The top-seeded women lost in penalty kicks to eventual national champion UCLA, while the men fell to Maryland 2-1 on a pair of goals by senior forward and MAC Hermann Trophy-winner Patrick Mullins. Virginia junior midfielder Morgan Brian took home the women’s Hermann Trophy, honoring the top collegiate player.
After the conclusion of all fall sports, Florida State, North Carolina and Virginia all rank in the top five of the Directors Cup standings, which ranks schools based on performance in all sports.
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Though traditionally known as a powerhouse conference in men’s basketball, the ACC has underperformed by most standards this season. The conference boasts just two ranked teams in the most recent AP poll, despite entering the season with five. Preseason No. 4 Duke has slid all the way to No. 16 after January losses to unranked Notre Dame and Clemson.
Conference newcomer No. 2 Syracuse has helped to maintain at least some of the ACC’s reputation — the Orange are just one of six remaining undefeated team and have claimed blowout victories against then-undefeated No. 8 Villanova and North Carolina in the past three weeks.
The Tar Heels have been the most unpredictable team in the conference — after early season wins against No. 14 Kentucky, No. 5 Michigan State and No. 12 Louisville, Carolina has dropped three straight conference games.
Only Syracuse, fellow conference-newcomer Pittsburgh, and Virginia remain undefeated in ACC-play after three games.
-compiled by Zack Bartee and Matt Comey
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