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Within a span of 12 humbling days, Virginia Tech went from riding high at No.4 with thoughts of playing for the national championship to barely being in the Top 25 and hopes for a third consecutive ACC title all but gone.
The Hokies (5-3) can't attain the top goals they started the season with, but they can finish with at least 10 wins for the sixth consecutive year. To do that, they must win their remaining games, starting Thursday night at East Carolina (5-3), reach their 17th consecutive bowl - and win that also.
ELSEWHERE
AUBURN: Junior safety Zac Etheridge feels blessed to be able to walk after a serious neck injury and expects to play football again.
With his neck immobilized by a brace, Etheridge spoke to reporters and teammates, three days after sustaining an injury in the Mississippi game that landed him in the hospital for two nights.
He said his fifth vertebra was cracked and he tore ligaments in his neck in a headfirst collision with teammate Antonio Coleman.
CLEMSON: Senior tight end Michael Palmer said he's clear-headed and ready for Florida State, two weeks after suffering a concussion against Miami. He sat out last week's win against Coastal Carolina. Coach Dabo Swinney said he expects Palmer to play Saturday.
COLORADO: Sophomore tailback Darrell Scott, the biggest recruiting prize in coach Dan Hawkins' four-year tenure at Colorado, is leaving the program after 11/2 seasons filled with injuries and frustration.
FLORIDA STATE: Defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews, 68, will retire at the end of the season after 47 years coaching, including 26 years with the Seminoles.
NOTRE DAME: The Irish offense got one of its most potent players back with the return of receiver Michael Floyd, a 6-foot-3, 220-pound sophomore. He was second in the nation in receiving yards at 160 yards a game when he broke his left collarbone against Michigan State on Sept. 19 in the third game of the season.
WAKE FOREST: Quarterback Riley Skinner remains questionable for Saturday's game at No.10 Georgia Tech with a mild concussion. Coach Jim Grobe said he's optimistic Skinner will play, but said the decision will be made by the team's medical staff.
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