As mentioned in my last post, 'tis been a hectic week at work and home, so this weekend's game previews will be mercifully brief....
Saturday, Sept. 29, 2007
NORTH CAROLINA at VIRGINIA TECH (12pm)
Think TJ Yates had a rough go of it last week at USF? This Hokie defense will be unmerciful to the now-shaky freshman UNC QB. Butch Davis drops to 1-6 all-time vs. Frank Beamer. Virginia Tech 33, North Carolina 14
DUKE at MIAMI (12pm)
Last year's surprising nailbiter (a 20-15 Cane win with Duke getting intercepted in the endzone with under a minute to play) is not likely to be repeated. But don't be surprised if Thaddeus Lewis gives the Miami defense a few fits. Miami 35, Duke 16
UMASS at BOSTON COLLEGE (1pm)
Just a mere speed bump on BC's march to 7-0 heading into Blacksburg. And yes, I know the Minutemen made it to the 1-AA title game last year. Boston College 41, UMass 10
MARYLAND at RUTGERS (3:30pm)
The good news for Maryland is that they are easily the toughest opponent Rutgers will have seen so far this year. The bad news is that the Terps have no offensive identity and they'll still be shell (pun intended) shocked by last week's collapse at Wake. Rutgers 38, Maryland 17
LOUISVILLE at N.C. STATE (3:30pm)
Shoot, if Syracuse and Middle Tennessee can pile up the points on the Cardinal defense, surely the Wolfpack can. Even so, State will cough up the ball too many times to pull off the suddenly-possible upset. Louisville 41, N.C. State 34
CLEMSON at GEORGIA TECH (3:30pm)
It's hard to fathom the Jackets dropping a third straight game, just as it's hard to fathom the finely-tuned offensive machine of the Tigers sputtering against the suddenly vulnerable Tech defense. This series has been decided by five points or less in nine of the last 11 meetings. Clemson 27, Georgia Tech 23
FLORIDA STATE vs. ALABAMA in Jacksonville, FL (5pm)
With Alabama coming off back-to-back meatgrinder games the last two weeks and with the Seminoles coming off a bye week, conventional wisdom says that FSU has the distinct advantage. But then when you consider the myriad of connections between the coaching staffs (Nick Saban-Jimbo Fisher, Bobby Bowden/Mickey Andrews-Kevin Steele), conventional wisdom gets thrown out the window. One thing is clear: this game is more important for the Seminoles, who need a statement win much more than Bama. I just can't call it for FSU until they prove they can do it first. Alabama 20, Florida State 17
PITTSBURGH at VIRGINIA (7pm)
Pitt - in an attempt to reclassify this season as a "rebuilding" one after a 2-2 start brought on by the total collapse of their offense - is unleashing a true freshman QB making his first start at the suddenly stout UVA defense. Meanwhile, the Hoo offense appears to have gotten on track, particularly the running game. Virginia 24, Pitt 13
2 comments:
Great day for the ACC. BIG wins for the Seminoles and Terps (significantly improving the ACC's image). Cavs got the job done in a big way. We'll overlook V. Tech, UM, and BC's sluggish performances. Of course, now that they laid a major egg, G. Tech's defense resucitates just in time to save a 7-5 season. And can we send NC State to the Big East for a couple seasons?
Agree on all points preston...I'm still mystified by UVA's turnaround after the Wyoming disaster. And I should've seen the GT upset over Clemson coming.
Post a Comment