The continuing evolution of spread and no-huddle offenses in college football is changing the way some coaches measure defensive success.Thats a good thing for the ACC. Already this season, there have been eight games involving at least one Atlantic Coast Conference team in which the winning team gave up at least 30 points.Pittsburgh (2-2, 0-1 ACC) has played in three straight games with scores in the 30s and 40s, all against Power Five programs. The Panthers beat Penn State 42-39 , then lost 45-38 at Oklahoma State and 37-36 last weekend at North Carolina. Panthers coach Pat Narduzzi said rule changes have made playing defense more challenging.Its been like that for a couple of years and it continues to roll, said Narduzzi, a long-time defensive coordinator. It is what it is. We have to adjust and move with it. ... Every team that weve faced this year has been no-huddle and moves quickly. ... I was happier with what we did defensively (against UNC) compared to last week against Oklahoma State.Pitt allowed 640 yards against the Cowboys, but just 471 against the Tar Heels.One rule change that permits offensive lineman to go further downfield also allows teams to disguise their intentions longer.Defense is very difficult anyway, knowing it is reactionary and you have to identify specific cues to determine run or pass, said Virginia coach Bronco Mendenhall, who calls the Cavaliers defensive signal. He said the longer offenses -- especially those with dual-threat quarterbacks -- have to make that run or pass decision, the harder they are to stop.I dont think the rule is good for college football, but it is good for entertainment, Mendenhall said. If viewership is up, Im sure the rule will stay the same. If viewership is down, then there will be possibly another rule. But the nature of the offense is based on rule change, and has now made it to where its quite difficult.Mendenhall is a big believer in using statistics to assess his teams play, but the numbers he uses have changed.Yards and points per play matter a lot because so many teams are going fast. Total defense, not so relevant, and scoring defense, Mendenhall said, adding that the faster pace of most games naturally inflates total defense numbers.Thats how Narduzzi, a former defensive coordinator at Cincinnati and Michigan State, and coach Paul Johnson at Georgia Tech see it, too.At Cincinnati and Michigan State, Narduzzi said, Our goal defensively was to limit the other team to 13 points per game. Today, that just isnt going to happen.The Yellow Jackets (3-1, 1-1) used to put up for some of the gaudiest offensive numbers in the league. This year, their 24.2 points a game ranks 13th in the league.I think what happens is when you look at scores, scores just in themselves can be very deceiving, Johnson said. You take Syracuse, who tries to play 800 mph. For them to be in a 24-17 game would be like us being in a 7-3 game because theyre getting three times the possessions and their defense is also getting three times as many. Common sense would tell you if I play a game and I get 15 to 18 possessions Im going to score more than if I get nine to 12.The ACC has seven teams averaging at least 36 points, and eight averaging at least 450 yards.Third-ranked Louisville (4-0), with dual-threat quarterback sensation Lamar Jackson already having accounted for 25 touchdowns (13 passing, 12 running), somewhat skews the numbers. The Cardinals are averaging 63.5 points and 682 yards, both tops in the country. Against Syracuse, Louisville rolled up 845 yards in a 62-28 victory.The Cardinals will visit No. 5 Clemson on Saturday in a highly anticipated showdown. The Tigers rank third nationally in total defense, allowing just 218.5 yards, but have put those numbers together against a schedule that includes offensively challenged Auburn, Troy, South Carolina State and Georgia Tech.Saturdays ACC showcase could be another high-scoring affair with defenses trying to contain Jackson and Clemsons Deshaun Watson.And if it is, it wont be the last. North Carolina defensive coordinator Gene Chizik said defenses are going to be playing catch up for some time.I dont think theres any question of that, Chizik said. Theres very potent offenses in this league. I mean, thats just the way it is.---AP sports writers Will Graves in Pittsburgh, Charles Odum in Atlanta and Aaron Beard in Chapel Hill, North Carolina contributed to this report.---Online: The APs college football page: http://collegefootball.ap.org---Follow Hank on Twitter: www.twitter.com/hankkurzjr Vontae Davis Jersey . Canada is now down to its 22-player limit, although but players wont be registered until Christmas Day. Changes could still be made as a result of a suspension or injury. Nathan Peterman Jersey . Cuban testified Thursday that he was upset when the companys CEO told him news that would reduce the value of his shares, for which hed paid $7.5 million. But he said he did nothing improper when he sold those shares over the next two days. http://www.thebillsgearshop.com/Bills-Russell-Bodine-Draft-Jersey/ .C. -- Rodney Hood connected from all over the court while freshman Jabari Parker was busy swatting shots and scoring in transition. Dion Dawkins Jersey . After Mondays hard-fought loss, the wait seemed longer than usual. Getting set to go their separate ways for a short Christmas break, the Raptors coach credited his team for their effort on a seemingly impossible three-game road trip, urging them to build on that success when they get back to work at the end of the week. Phillip Gaines Jersey .J. Ellis hit two-run homers and the NL West champion Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the San Diego Padres 4-0 Saturday night. CINCINNATI -- The previous time the Steelers came to town, they knocked the Bengals out of the playoffs with a stunning last-minute rally.Theyre headed back with a chance to inflict another loss that will leave a lasting mark.The AFC North leaders would unseat the defending champions with a win on Sunday at Paul Brown Stadium.The Steelers (8-5) can maintain control of the division by winning in a place that has a homey feel for them.Theyve won their past three in Cincinnati and six of their past seven, including the 18-16 victory in the opening round of the playoffs last January.Penalties on Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict and cornerback Adam Pacman Jones moved Pittsburgh in range for the winning field goal in the final seconds.Their return trip to Cincinnati (5-7-1) was originally scheduled for prime time, given the animosity involved from the playoff game.Burficts hit to Antonio Browns head left the receiver with a concussion, set up Pittsburghs winning kick, and led to a three-game suspension from the NFL. Burfict sat out the Steelers 24-16 win at Heinz Field on Sept. 18.The game was switched to a daytime slot with the Bengals fading from contention, but the stakes are high for the Steelers. Plus, the hard feelings remain.We love playing against Pittsburgh, so were eager for the week and the task at hand, Jones said. Its always different when we play those guys. Just one of those games that you mark on your calendar every year. I know I do, those two games.Pittsburgh has moved to the front of the pack in the division by winning four straight, with LeVeon Bell rushing for at least 100 yards each game. He set a club record with 236 yards rushing last Sunday in a win over the Bills.Bell also sat out the earlier meeting this season while serving an NFL suspension.Thousands of Steelers fans are expected to make the five-hour drive and fill the stadium with their Terrible Towels, making the Steelers feel right at home.Typical one down there -- crazy, riled up, said Ben Roethlisberger, who is 11-2 at Paul Brown Stadium. Its the AFC North. Its us coming to town. Maybe not as crazy as it would have been if it was that initial 8:30 p.m. (kickoff), but I still expect the fans to come out for it and for it to be a typical Steelers-Bengals game.Some things to watch on Sunday at Paul Brown Stadiium:ON A TEAR: The Steelers are reveling in what coach Mike Tomlin calls December Football.dddddddddddd Pittsburgh is 13-2 over its past 15 games in December, a stretch that propelled the Steelers to playoff berths in 2014 and 2015. If they can do it again this season, the AFC North leaders will reach the postseason for the third straight year, something they havent yet done during Tomlins 10-year tenure.December football is all about running the ball and playing good defense, and weve done that, tackle Marcus Gilbert said.AGELESS WONDER: Pittsburghs resurgent pass rush has been led by 38-year-old linebacker James Harrison, who retired briefly in 2014 after spending a forgettable season with the Bengals before returning to the Steelers. Harrisons five sacks lead the team and he played every defensive snap in last weeks victory over Buffalo.James is a marvel, Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said.GETTING THEIR KICKS: The Bengals changed kickers during the week, releasing Mike Nugent after a string of missed extra points and field goals. They claimed Randy Bullock off waivers a day after he was released by the Steelers, who brought him in for a temporary stint while Chris Boswell recovered from an abdominal strain.STOPPING AB: The Bengals focused on containing Brown during their game in Pittsburgh earlier this season, and it worked. He was held to four catches for 39 yards. Brown hasnt scored a touchdown in his past three games against Cincinnati. He needs one TD catch from Roethlisberger to make the two of them the Steelers all-time duo, moving ahead of Terry Bradshaw and Lynn Swann, who also had 49 touchdown plays.KEEPING COOL: Burfict has avoided the personal fouls that marred his career until this season, a sign that hes finally taking his coaches and teammates advice to heart. He has delivered some pushes after the whistle, but nothing egregious enough to warrant a flag for unsportsmanlike conduct. His demeanor will be tested against the Steelers, who will try to get him riled.I would, too, Jones said. Hell be all right.---AP Sports Writer Will Graves in Pittsburgh contributed to this report.---For more NFL coverage: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL Cheap Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys China Nike NFL Jerseys China Discount NFL Jerseys Wholesale Nike NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Wholesale China NFL Gear Stitched Jerseys Discount Jerseys Cheap NFL T-shirts Cheap Jerseys 2019 Black China NFL Jerseys Discount NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys 2020 ' ' '