| North Carolina DT Sylvester Williams has 4.5 sacks this season. (US Presswire) |
Here’s the latest on the conference’s top players who are projected to go from playing on Saturdays to starring on Sundays.
1. DE Bjoern Werner, 6-4, 255, Florida State
Why he has the top spot: Werner is No. 3 nationally with 6.5 sacks and No. 13 with nine tackles for loss, but he has not had a sack or tackle for loss in the last two games. He had just two tackles and a pass breakup in Saturday night’s 30-17 win at South Florida.
Season stats (five games): 17 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 9 tackles for loss, 1 forced fumble.
Player ranking: Werner is ranked No. 8 overall and the top defensive end in CBSSports.com’s latest player rankings.
Up next: Florida State plays at NC State on Saturday. The Wolfpack have surrendered 16 sacks in their first five games, allowing 3.2 sacks per game which is No. 111 nationally.
2. CB David Amerson, 6-3, 194, NC State
Why he has the second spot: At this point, Amerson has this spot based on reputation. He and the rest of the NC State secondary had a game to forget at Miami on Saturday, allowing Hurricanes QB Stephen Morris to throw for an ACC-record 566 yards. Coach Tom O’Brien told Joe Giglio of the News & Observer, “He's trying to make every play instead of doing his job.”
Season stats (five games): 16.5 tackles, 3 interceptions, 6 passes defended.
Player ranking: Amerson is No. 17 overall and the second-highest cornerback in CBSSports.com’s latest player rankings.
Up next: NC State hosts Florida State on Saturday night. Amerson will have his hands full with Seminoles QB EJ Manuel who has thrown just one interception this season.
3. QB Logan Thomas, 6-6, 260, Virginia Tech
Why he has the third spot: Thomas is receiving the benefit of the doubt and staying in the third spot. He had another subpar outing in Saturday’s 27-24 loss to Cincinnati, completing 17 of 30 passes for 242 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. He had 10 rushing yards on nine carries with a touchdown. However, Thomas did throw a 56-yard touchdown pass to WR Corey Fuller with 1:49 left to give the Hokies a late lead.
Season stats (five games): 78 of 148 for 1,093 passing yards, 8 touchdowns, 6 interceptions, 52.7 completion percentage. 53 carries for 129 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Player ranking: Thomas is ranked No. 48 overall and the sixth-highest quarterback in CBSSports.com’s latest player rankings.
Up next: Virginia Tech plays at North Carolina on Saturday. The Tar Heels have given up 444 yards per game in their two contests against teams from BCS automatic qualifying conferences.
Keep an eye on: DT Sylvester Williams, 6-3, 305, North Carolina
Why you should watch him: Williams is one of the premiere interior defensive linemen in the country, and he has shown an ability to get after the quarterback this year after having just 2.5 sacks last season. Williams had a sack and 2.5 tackles for loss in Saturday’s 66-0 win over Idaho.
Season stats (five games): 13 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 7 tackles for loss.
Player ranking: Williams is ranked No. 26 overall and the fourth-highest defensive tackle in CBSSports.com’s latest player rankings.
Up next: North Carolina hosts Virginia Tech in arguably its biggest game of the season. The Hokies have had some issues on the interior of their offensive line. Williams could have a big game.
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from ACC bloggers Shawn Krest and Sean Bielawski, follow @CBSSportsACC.