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The University of Virginia couldn't beat Duke, Connecticut or Southern Cal, and it has now been vanquished by an old friend: freedom of expression.

After catching considerable heat for the policy, the school founded by Thomas Jefferson announced this week that it had overturned its ban on fan-made signs at Scott Stadium. Those attending the Cavaliers' home game with Maryland tonight will be permitted to show their support for their team or -- within reason -- their disdain for coach Al Groh.

In the season's first two home games, posters, signs and the like were outlawed regardless of their message. He who wrote, "I'm Cheering For An Injury-Free Game," was subject to eviction. Seriously.

This, of course, begs an important question: If UVa prohibited written communications, shouldn't it have also abolished cheering and booing?

Speaking of statements, Boston College is making one with its defense. In their three games against foes in college football's top division (FBS), the Eagles have blanked Kent State, lost 19-16 to Georgia Tech and demoted Central Florida 38-7. Those teams are averaging 8.7 points against Boston College but 24.8 a game in their other FBS action.

If you want a reason to believe in the Eagles, consider 6-foot-3, 324-pound Ron Brace. With a name like that and a frame like that, he's got to be a tackle. The other is B.J. Raji, a 323-pounder who sat out last year for academic reasons. The other key returning player is linebacker Brian Toal, who missed 2007 with a shoulder injury.

This is the group that understaffed N.C. State gets to deal with today. The Wolfpack will have to establish credible first-down running, but it won't face a more physically imposing defense all year.

Count Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson among the agitated, as well.

Sure, Duke is 1-31 on the ACC road this decade, but the current Blue Devils are one penalty against Northwestern from being perfect as they get ready to take on the Yellow Jackets in Atlanta.

It's the Devils' second look at the Georgia Tech offense. The first version was run by Navy, Johnson's former employer. Duke won that one 41-31 last month.

No matter what happens today, the Devils have probably done enough to remain relevant for a while this season. Come Nov. 1, they'll be no worse than 3-4, which means they'll have the carrot of bowl eligibility dangling before them as they start the stretch drive.

No. 24 Connecticut (5-0) will become the first undefeated opponent to visit Kenan Stadium in October since Miami arrived at 6-0 four years ago, and the Huskies are intriguing. Tailback Donald Brown (180 yards per game) is outrushing two-thirds of the teams in the FBS by himself. He has 11 touchdowns on the ground; only 25 of the other 119 clubs have reached that total.

And, baby, he was born to run. He grew up in the same New Jersey county (Monmouth) as Bruce Springsteen.

At this point, it's hard to know what to make of the Huskies, who have gone relatively unnoticed because they have played their past two games on Fridays.

Remember when Miami-Florida State was a big deal? From 1999-2006, both teams were ranked in the top 20 at game time. From 1987-93, both were in the top 10.

Last year, neither was ranked at all. That hadn't happened since 1977, when Bobby Bowden was in his second year in Tallahassee and the Hurricanes featured a linebacker named Jim Kelly who would later become a quarterback of some renown.

In 2008, the polls again lack references to the Seminoles or Canes, but the game is still being shown to the vast majority of the nation.

The winner has a chance to resurrect its season; the loser's in trouble.

A long and potentially important day in the ACC is set to go. From noon until about 10 p.m., from Charlottesville, Va., to Miami Gardens, Fla., you can expect the masses -- some huddled, some not -- to make their feelings known.

Contact Rob Daniels at 373-7028 or rob.daniels@news-record.com