5 Things: What We Learned in Week 2 in the ACC

5. Pitt and Holstein's Comeback Win

Does Pittsburgh have a capable offense again? After several seasons of scuffling on offense and Pat Narduzzi drifting toward hot-seat discussions, the Panthers took Alabama transfer Eli Holstein from the transfer portal. With 4:50 to play in the third quarter, the Bearcats had a 27-6 lead at Nippert Stadium, and Pitt looked dead in the water. However, the offense picked up the tempo, and Holstein caught fire. He had an 11-yard touchdown pass to Konata Mumpfield, then a 38-yard TD to Mumpfield, and then a 56-yard score to Desmond Reid that finished a 94-yard drive. Ben Sauls hit a 35-yard field goal with 17 seconds remaining, and the Panthers roared back to win 28-27 over the stunned Big 12 foe. Pitt had a good Week 1 and followed it up with a tremendous second half, totaling 498 yards of offense as Holstein threw for 302 yards on 8.6 yards per pass. Pitt’s defense is a problem, but the Panthers look competent on offense.

Week 3: Pittsburgh (+2.5) vs. West Virginia

2. North Carolina State Flops in Primetime

Dave Doeren’s North Carolina State Wolfpack got a lot of hype as an ACC Championship Game sleeper all summer. The Wolfpack added good offensive weapons, returned KC Concepcion, and had veteran quarterback Grayson McCall transfer in. The defense looked questionable, but Doeren and defensive coordinator Tony Gibson earned the benefit of the doubt with their track record. Through two games, the Wolfpack looked far from a team ready to challenge for a playoff spot, and they flopped in their primetime opportunity. Tennessee was bigger, stronger, and faster and outgunned North Carolina State in a 51-10 whooping in Charlotte. The defense was overwhelmed by Tennessee on the ground, and NC State could not block effectively, severely limiting its offensive effectiveness. McCall has been shaky for two weeks and wasn’t great last season. Maybe he’s not the same without Jamey Chadwell calling the plays for him. North Carolina State hasn’t started ACC play yet, so their goals are still in front of them, but they have to improve a lot to challenge in the conference title race. This was another marquee matchup that saw the ACC team outclassed.

Week 3: NC State (-21.5) vs. Louisiana Tech

3. Cal's Defense Stuns Auburn

Justin Wilcox and the Cal Golden Bears introduced themselves to ACC fans with an impressive win at Jordan-Hare Stadium over the Auburn Tigers. This was no fluke. Cal should have beaten Auburn last season in Berkeley, and they let the Tigers squeak away with a road win. Auburn was not so lucky today as Fernando Mendoza controlled the offense competently, and the defense wholly stymied Auburn’s attack. Cal had the ball for over 35 minutes of this game and limited the Tigers to 286 yards while forcing five turnovers. You read that correctly: Cal won the turnover battle five to zero as quarterback Payton Thorne was under pressure nearly all game on his way to just 14 for 27 from the air. Running back Jarquez Hunter had just 68 yards on 12 carries as Cal’s defensive front matched the physicality of their SEC foe. Cal now takes on San Diego State before traveling to Florida to open ACC play with the Florida State Seminoles.

Week 3: Cal (-17.5) vs. San Diego State

4. Cade Klubnik's Offensive Explosion

The week after Clemson was shellacked in the second half by Georgia was filled with eulogies on the Dabo Swinney era, lamentations on Cade Klubnik and his inability to develop, and questions about whether or not Clemson would even contend for a spot in the ACC Championship Game. In the words of Lee Corso, “Not so fast, my friend”! Appalachian State was a trendy upset pick, and most were picking the Mountaineers at +17 to cover in Death Valley and threaten the Tigers. Clemson winning this game is not noteworthy. Clemson winning comfortably isn’t worthy of much notice. Klubnik putting up a first-half stat-line of 24 for 26 with 378 yards and seven total touchdowns (five passing and two rushing) is worth mentioning. The Clemson Tigers jumped on top of Appalachian State and didn’t let up until after halftime when the starters sat with a huge lead. Clemson had 460 yards passing and 252 on the ground. Notably, former five-star freshman Bryant Wesco looked like the star receiver Clemson has been missing and needs to be fed the ball more immediately. Everything went right for Clemson in this 66-20 blowout win. Still, if Klubnik can cut it loose and play like the decisive quarterback he was against Appalachian State, the Tigers will be very dangerous once again. They have a poorly-timed bye week before hosting North Carolina State.

5. Pitt and Holstein's Comeback Win

Does Pittsburgh have a capable offense again? After several seasons of scuffling on offense and Pat Narduzzi drifting toward hot-seat discussions, the Panthers took Alabama transfer Eli Holstein from the transfer portal. With 4:50 to play in the third quarter, the Bearcats had a 27-6 lead at Nippert Stadium, and Pitt looked dead in the water. However, the offense picked up the tempo, and Holstein caught fire. He had an 11-yard touchdown pass to Konata Mumpfield, then a 38-yard TD to Mumpfield, and then a 56-yard score to Desmond Reid that finished a 94-yard drive. Ben Sauls hit a 35-yard field goal with 17 seconds remaining, and the Panthers roared back to win 28-27 over the stunned Big 12 foe. Pitt had a good Week 1 and followed it up with a tremendous second half, totaling 498 yards of offense as Holstein threw for 302 yards on 8.6 yards per pass. Pitt’s defense is a problem, but the Panthers look competent on offense.

Week 3: Pittsburgh (+2.5) vs. West Virginia