ACC’s Atlantic title is still up for grabs

The Atlantic Coast Conference picture remained as blurry as it has been for the last several weeks after Saturday’s games, but relief is in sight.

Next week, some team will win the Atlantic Division and clinch a spot in the conference championship game against Georgia Tech.

The surprising contenders in a division that includes Florida State and Clemson are Maryland, Wake Forest and Boston College.

Boston College would have been eliminated Saturday with a loss, but the Eagles ended Maryland’s five-game winning streak, 38-16.

The Eagles now must defeat Miami next week and hope Maryland rebounds to defeat Wake Forest.

“I’m only thinking about going to Miami and winning,” Coach Tom O’Brien said.

A Maryland victory would have set up a division-title showdown next week against Wake Forest, but now the Terrapins need to win next week and also get help in the form of a Boston College loss to Miami.

“We had everything in our own hands,” Maryland linebacker Erin Henderson said. “Now we need people to come up for us.”

Wake Forest is the only team of the three that doesn’t need help. If it wins, it’s in. But that isn’t a given after the Demon Deacons gained only 62 yards rushing in a 27-6 loss to Virginia Tech.

“We cannot go win at Maryland if we go and play like we did tonight,” Coach Jim Grobe said.

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Peter Yoon

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In the mix

Wake Forest plays at Maryland next week, and Boston College is at Miami. At stake is the Atlantic Coast Conference Atlantic division title and a spot in the conference title game against Georgia Tech on Dec. 2 in Jacksonville, Fla. Here’s what needs to happen for each to win:

* Wake Forest: A win over Maryland would clinch the title because the Demon Deacons would have tiebreaking victories over the Terrapins and Boston College.

* Maryland: Must defeat Wake Forest and have Boston College lose to Miami.

* Boston College: Must defeat Miami and have Maryland defeat Wake Forest.