2008 Woodie Awards
Ranking the Carolinas
Ronnie Woodward, Asst. Sports Editor
Issue date: 9/4/08 Section: Sports
1. Wake Forest
Record: 1-0
Last Week: Won at Baylor, 41-13
The Demon Deacons top this list as they continued their usual recipe for success last Thursday night. They went to Waco, Texas and quietly romped Baylor, 44-13, without many people noticing. Quarterback Riley Skinner was 27-of-36 for 220 yards and three touchdowns, while the Deacs' experience-ladened defense held Baylor to 250 total offensive yards. After the game, Skinner told the Associated Press, "We were efficient." Efficient might be a bit of an understatement. Wake Forest will get a much tougher test this week however, when Ole Miss comes to town. Ole Miss looked very impressive in its season-opener and Houston Nutt's debut as Head Coach of the Rebels.
2. ECU
Record: 1-0
Last Week: Won vs. Virginia Tech, 27-22
ECU proved that it belonged Saturday in Charlotte. Maybe the most impressive thing about the win was that it wasn't really an upset, it was a hard-fought game between two good teams, and the Pirates came out on top. The win has created an unprecedented buzz around campus and around Greenville. Anticipation for Saturday's game against West Virginia is very high and the Pirates have a great opportunity in front of them. West Virginia is very talented and very good, but Skip Holtz and his Pirates are no longer a pushover on the schedule-as they proved against Virginia Tech.
3. Clemson
Record: 0-1
Last Week: Lost vs. Alabama, 34-10
The Tigers fell from the top spot in the Carolina's to No. 3 after being embarrassed on national TV last Saturday night. Alabama physically and mentally dominated Clemson, cruising to an impressive 34-10 victory and mocking Clemson's preseason hype. Clemson coach Tommy Bowden was even calling other coaches around the nation, including his father and Alabama coach Nick Saban, searching for answers this week. As bad as things might look for the oft-underachieving Tigers, they still remain uber talented and will more than likely go to win the ACC and be a top-15 team. Clemson's national reputation took a hit this past week, but it can easily gain some of it back as the season progresses-it sure has the talent to do so.
Record: 1-0
Last Week: Won at Baylor, 41-13
The Demon Deacons top this list as they continued their usual recipe for success last Thursday night. They went to Waco, Texas and quietly romped Baylor, 44-13, without many people noticing. Quarterback Riley Skinner was 27-of-36 for 220 yards and three touchdowns, while the Deacs' experience-ladened defense held Baylor to 250 total offensive yards. After the game, Skinner told the Associated Press, "We were efficient." Efficient might be a bit of an understatement. Wake Forest will get a much tougher test this week however, when Ole Miss comes to town. Ole Miss looked very impressive in its season-opener and Houston Nutt's debut as Head Coach of the Rebels.
2. ECU
Record: 1-0
Last Week: Won vs. Virginia Tech, 27-22
ECU proved that it belonged Saturday in Charlotte. Maybe the most impressive thing about the win was that it wasn't really an upset, it was a hard-fought game between two good teams, and the Pirates came out on top. The win has created an unprecedented buzz around campus and around Greenville. Anticipation for Saturday's game against West Virginia is very high and the Pirates have a great opportunity in front of them. West Virginia is very talented and very good, but Skip Holtz and his Pirates are no longer a pushover on the schedule-as they proved against Virginia Tech.
3. Clemson
Record: 0-1
Last Week: Lost vs. Alabama, 34-10
The Tigers fell from the top spot in the Carolina's to No. 3 after being embarrassed on national TV last Saturday night. Alabama physically and mentally dominated Clemson, cruising to an impressive 34-10 victory and mocking Clemson's preseason hype. Clemson coach Tommy Bowden was even calling other coaches around the nation, including his father and Alabama coach Nick Saban, searching for answers this week. As bad as things might look for the oft-underachieving Tigers, they still remain uber talented and will more than likely go to win the ACC and be a top-15 team. Clemson's national reputation took a hit this past week, but it can easily gain some of it back as the season progresses-it sure has the talent to do so.
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