Patrick Stevens The Washington Times - September 28, 2008, 07:35AM

Earlier this month, EagleBank Bowl organizers said it was tough to watch Navy play ACC teams this season, since the game has a stake in how both the Midshipmen and the ACC’s teams fare.

But to be perfectly honest, the first-year game to be played at RFK Stadium on Dec. 20 needs Navy to get six wins in any way that it can.

SEE RELATED:

The Mids are halfway there after stunning Wake Forest yesterday. And with six of its last seven against teams it beat last season (including a few scuffling squads), Navy looks like a much better bet to go bowling than it did just two weeks ago.

2008 Opponent Result 2007 Equivalent 
Result
Towson W, 41-13 
Delaware L, 59-52
at Ball State L, 35-23
 Ball State L, 34-31 (OT)
at Duke L, 41-31
 Duke W, 46-43
Rutgers W, 23-21
 at Rutgers L, 41-24
at Wake Forest W, 24-17
 Wake Forest L, 44-24
at Air Force
Air Force W, 31-20
Pittsburgh
at Pittsburgh W, 48-45 (2OT)
Southern Methodist 

at North Texas W, 74-62
Temple
at Temple W, 30-19
vs. Notre Dame
at Notre Dame W, 46-44 (3OT)
at Northern Illinois
Northern Illinois W, 35-24
vs. Army
vs. Army W, 38-3

As for the ACC, the possibility of semi-local Virginia making it to D.C. can all but officially be eliminated after yesterday’s humbling 31-3 loss at Duke. Yes, Duke is better —- and would be a distinct EagleBank Bowl candidate right now. But the Cavaliers are also struggling mightily and simply don’t have five more wins on the horizon. If Virginia somehow gets to 4-8, it will be a near-miracle.

Anyway, here’s the ACC’s rundown after five weeks of the regular season:

ACC teams with 3+ wins: 9
ACC teams at .500 or better: 10
Current projected team to the EagleBank Bowl: Miami, Boston College or Duke

—- Patrick Stevens