On Oct. 29, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence tested positive for COVID-19. That tweet set the sports world on fire as agents, analysts, fans, and networks clamored for more information on the nation’s top college football player. Lawrence quelled the storm with a statement confirming the report and that he’d entered isolation. https://twitter.com/Trevorlawrencee/status/1321984082499325954 Lawrence won’t play this weekend when the Clemson Tigers square off against the Boston College Eagles. However, most people are looking ahead to No. 1 Clemson’s matchup against No. 4 Notre Dame on Nov. 7. That game could determine which ACC school finishes the regular season with a top-four rank and ultimately gains entry to the College Football Playoffs. Head coach Dabo Swinney chimed in with
ACC football
Pitt football struggling without Kenny Pickett
Pitt football has struggled immensely on offense in its last two games with quarterback Kenny Pickett out due to an ankle injury. There is little known about the status of Pickett going forward, outside of head coach Pat Narduzzi saying, “Hopefully sooner rather than later,” when asked about Pickett’s return. This brings up a lot of questions for the remainder of the season as the Panther’s offense has performed poorly without their senior signal-caller. In its 45-3 loss to Notre Dame on Saturday, Pitt fielded three different quarterbacks with Joey Yellen getting the start, Davis Beville coming on for one drive, and Nick Patti closing out the game for the Panthers. Not a single one of these quarterbacks put up an
College football Week 9 NFL Draft prospects to watch
With the Big Ten back, there are plenty of top prospects to watch every week. Even with eligibility forgiven for this season, there will likely be a large group of players who enter their names in the upcoming draft. With COVID-19 spiking and the prospect of playing in doubt every week, college football's top prospects will need to take advantage of every game they have and put together film that will grab scouts attention. Boston College vs. Clemson Zion Johnson, IOL – Boston College Travis Etienne, RB – Clemson Boston College has one of the most underrated offensive lines in the country. It is led by senior Zion Johnson, who is as physical and aggressive as they come at the point of attack. Johnson
College football Week 9 Games To watch
The College Football Playoff race is in full swing, and a few unbeatens will put their records on the line in this week's slate of games. Here is a look at some games to keep an eye on this Saturday. Boston College vs. Clemson Date: Friday, Oct. 31 Time: Noon ET TV: ABC Spread: Clemson -31 Clemson is one of the premier teams in college football and showed why last week beating Syracuse by 26 points while clearly struggling with consistency and Travis Etienne cramps on offense. The Tigers will look to get back on track against a Boston College team that should not be overlooked. As the defensive coordinator at Ohio State, Boston College head coach Jeff Hafley limited the Clemson offense to 29 points, shutting
Notre Dame football vs. Georgia Tech: What to expect
Notre Dame football is one week away from its biggest game of the regular season. When Clemson comes to South Bend on Nov. 7, the Irish are going to have no time for improvement. That being said, Notre Dame football needs to show Georgia Tech who is boss this weekend. Why? We all remember Clemson's complete 73-7 domination against the Yellow Jackets two weeks ago. Trevor Lawrence was pulled at halftime due to the lack of competition. Ian Book has yet to leave a game due to a significant lead created by the Irish. Granted, Book has not shown the potential Lawrence has, but it would be pleasing to see the Irish pull a lead like the Tigers. A necessary boost One of
Clemson Football: Three biggest areas of weakness
Clemson football rolled over the Miami Hurricanes and Georgia Tech, defeating its ACC competitors by a combined score of 120-24. Last weekend, Syracuse gave the Tigers a surprise, scoring 21 points and entering halftime only down by 13. Early in the third quarter, the Orange even drew within six points of the Tigers before Clemson scored 20 unanswered points. The game against Syracuse reminded college football fans across the country the Tigers aren’t untouchable. There are chinks in the armor well-coached, disciplined teams can take advantage of. Three issues stand out six games into the Clemson football season. Keep in mind Clemson is the top team in the nation with Alabama not too far behind. There isn’t another program on par with
ACC honors given to Notre Dame football
Notre Dame football is experiencing conference recognition this week, a fairly new occurrence for the previously independent program. The ACC awarded two Irish players for their 45-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Panthers this past weekend. Fifth years Ian Book and Liam Eichenberg were the receivers, with Book earning ACC Quarterback of the Week and Eichenberg earning ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week. Prior to these selections, the Irish have received three honors this season. A weekend for Book Not only did Book receive ACC Quarterback of the Week, but he was also named to the "Davey O'Brien Great 8 List" for Week 8. Book was the only ACC representative to be featured on the list, which gave Notre Dame football the spotlight
What did Notre Dame football do right against Pitt?
I have a feeling someone from Notre Dame football read my last article. Its 45-3 win over Pitt was definitely an eye opener for me. My assumption about the game was quite wrong. I assumed the Panthers would give Notre Dame a run for its money. Last week, I was having some doubts about the rest of the season for the Irish. They seemed to be lacking momentum and drive. It was hard to watch a team that was ranked so highly but perform at such a mediocre level. As it has not had an impressive showing since South Florida, Notre Dame needed a victory over Pitt. So what did it do that it has not been doing in previous games? Irish
Clemson football: Concerns at wide receiver are overblown
Clemson football has a long line of great receivers, which led some to dub the program “Wide Receiver U.” However, there wasn’t a clear No. 1 option at Clemson entering the 2020 season. Amari Rodgers returned as the veteran with more experience than most of Clemson’s backups combined, but people worried that wouldn’t be enough to challenge defenses. Entering the season, analysts thought Clemson football needed some help at wide receiver. Tee Higgins dominated at Clemson during 2018 and 2019, amassing over 2,000 yards and 25 receiving touchdowns. His 27 career receiving touchdowns are tied with DeAndre Hopkins and Sammy Watkins for the most in program history. However, Higgins entered the NFL Draft last spring and went 33rd overall to the Cincinnati
College Football: Week 8 Games to Watch
The Big Ten is back and dominates the Week 8 slate of games with several high profile matchups. The Big 12 also has a few big games to keep an eye on, but football fans across the country will have their first taste of normal when it comes to college football in 2020. Wisconsin vs Illinois Date: Friday, Oct. 23 Time: 8 p.m. ET TV: BTN Spread: Wisconsin -19.5 The opening game for the Big Ten features a rematch of arguably the Big Ten’s biggest upset last season with Illinois taking on Wisconsin. Unfortunately for the Badgers they will be without incumbent starter Jack Coan at quarterback after he suffered a foot injury a couple weeks ago. That leaves the door open for highly touted recruit Graham Mertz