In the era of unbalanced schedules and divisional play, sometimes it's a matter of timing. Here's a look at the numbers behind the season results of UNC, Duke, and State.
It has been 20 years since the Triangle has seen this level of success from its ACC football teams. Duke has strung together back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since the Steve Spurrier teams of the late 1980s, and is going to three straight bowl games for the first time ever in its history. After a blip in 2013, NC State has returned for its 4th winning record and bowl appearance in the last five years. And with a win in a bowl game, UNC will post its 7th straight winning season. Plus, for the first time since 1994, Carolina, Duke, and NC State are going to bowl games in the same season.
It is interesting, however, to take a look at each team's 2014 schedule to see how the teams achieved their records and speculate as to how each team's season might have played out with another team's schedule. First, let's take a look at UNC's 2014 schedule:
|
Opponent
|
Record
|
|
Liberty
|
9-4
|
|
San Diego State
|
7-5
|
|
East Carolina |
8-3 |
|
Clemson |
9-3 |
|
Virginia Tech |
6-6 |
|
Notre Dame |
7-5 |
|
Georgia Tech
|
10-2
|
|
Virginia
|
5-7
|
|
Miami |
6-6 |
|
Pitt
|
6-6
|
|
Duke
|
9-3
|
|
NC State |
7-5 |
|
Total
|
89-55 (.618)
|
UNC's schedule was pretty stout. All but one of Carolina's opponents finished .500 or above, and the only one who did not was Virginia at 5-7. Even UNC's FCS opponent, Liberty, won its conference and has already won a playoff game. Ten of the Tar Heels' opponents are bowl eligible plus Liberty qualified for the FCS playoffs. That's 11 of 12 headed for the postseason.
Next let's examine State's schedule:
|
Opponent
|
Record
|
|
Georgia Southern
|
9-3
|
|
Old Dominion
|
6-6
|
|
South Florida
|
4-8
|
|
Presbyterian
|
6-5
|
|
Florida State |
12-0 |
|
Clemson |
9-3 |
|
Boston College |
7-5 |
|
Louisville |
9-3 |
|
Syracuse
|
3-9
|
|
Georgia Tech |
10-2 |
|
Wake Forest
|
3-9
|
|
North Carolina
|
6-6
|
|
Total
|
84-59 (.583)
|
There was some talk about the Wolfpack's cupcake schedule that allowed State to start 4-0, but Georgia Southern turned out to be pretty good and that makes it a great win for the Pack. State fell victim to the top-heavy Atlantic Division with losses to Florida State, Clemson, and Louisville, but they also benefited from the 98-lb. weaklings Syracuse and Wake Forest. Six of State's opponents are headed for bowls, and Georgia Southern and Old Dominion would be bowl-eligible except they are still in FBS transition and therefore ineligible for the postseason. Still, that's 8 of 12 at .500 or above.
Finally, let's look at Duke:
