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Week 8 in the Atlantic Coast Conference delivered drama and surprises, with all but one game providing unexpected twists. The weekend kicked off with a rematch of last season's ACC championship game between Duke and Virginia, and just like their December meeting at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, the outcome hung in the balance until the final moments.
Duke emerged victorious thanks to a perfectly executed trick play. Quarterback Walker Eget tossed a backward pass to running back Nate Sheppard, who then heaved a deep ball to freshman Brody Keefe, who was wide open in the end zone for a 28-yard touchdown with 1:14 remaining. The Blue Devils sealed the win with an interception on defense.
In Coral Gables, the Darian Mensah and Malachi Toney connection continued to dazzle as the Miami quarterback and wide receiver hooked up for three touchdowns in the Hurricanes' 52-23 dismantling of Pittsburgh. Mensah finished with 387 passing yards and four touchdown passes, bringing his season totals to 2,151 yards and 22 scores.
Bill Belichick and North Carolina saw their two-game win streak snapped as the Tar Heels fell to previously ACC-winless Syracuse in overtime at home. Calvin Russell provided the game-winning 4-yard touchdown and the ensuing two-point conversion catch for the Orange, giving Fran Brown his first conference victory of the season.
Stanford withstood a fourth-quarter comeback attempt from NC State to secure its second ACC win of the year, while SMU blanked Cal in the second half to cruise to a 59-20 victory behind three touchdown passes from KJ Jennings. Clemson, meanwhile, suffered its second consecutive ACC loss, falling 20-16 at home to Virginia Tech.
Here's how those results impacted the Week 9 US LBM Coaches Poll and AP Top 25 rankings (ACC teams in bold; first-place votes in parentheses). This section will be updated once the US LBM Coaches Poll is released.
Key Analysis
Duke's thrilling victory keeps them in the ACC title hunt, while Miami's offensive explosion signals they are a force to be reckoned with. Syracuse's upset over North Carolina adds intrigue to the conference race, and Clemson's struggles raise questions about their playoff aspirations. The updated rankings will reflect these shifting dynamics as the season progresses.
Originally reported by yahoo.