Do you realize this time week we will be watching football? So a couple of more preview articles to get you ready for the season. For each ACC teams there are dangerous games that they simply cannot overlook. What’s the biggest trap games for each ACC team this year?
Boston College
Villanova – August 31, 2013
Who puts an FCS school as a trap game? I’m sure that’s what Michigan said a few years ago when they played Appalachian St. Boston doesn’t have a lot of sure wins this season, but this better be one of them. Villanova is not terrible either. They come in ranked #9 in the FCS Coaches poll. Yes BC should win, but I’ve seen stranger things happen.
Clemson
at NC State – September 19, 2013
I went back and forth on Clemson’s biggest trap game. Was it at NC State early in the season or at Maryland on October 26th? I finally went with NC State because well Byrd stadium isn’t exactly an intimidating place to play, and Stefon Diggs can’t play the other 21 positions. NC State on the other hand is on a Thursday night, and Raleigh is where Florida State’s national title aspirations died last year. This will be Dave Doeren’s first big game at NC State after what should be a 2-0 start. Carter-Finley will be rocking on this Thursday night.
Duke
Navy – October 12th, 2013
For Duke to make it to a 2nd straight bowl game, they probably need to go 4-0 in their non conference schedule. Since 2002 Navy has had only 1 season where they didn’t win at least 8 games. Their option offense is always difficult to prepare for, though the Blue Devils do get the benefit of a bye week. Duke cannot afford to lose this game.
Florida State
at Pittsburgh – September 2, 2013
If Florida State loses another game where they are a double digit favorite this year, Florida State(ing) will officially replace Clemsoning. The opening game at Pittsburgh will be very tricky. The Noles are extremely talented, but they will be starting a new QB in a hostile environment on national TV. This is also Pittsburgh’s first ACC game ever, and I’m sure the Pittsburgh players will be highly motivated playing a top 15 ranked FSU team. If the Seminoles win, they will be undefeated on October 19th when they head to Clemson.
Georgia Tech
at Duke – September 14, 2013
If Georgia Tech is going to make any noise this season, they must win at Durham on September 14. Following their first bowl season since 1994, Duke will come in with renewed confidence. If don’t think Wallace Wade can produce an upset just ask UNC how they felt leaving Durham last year. This is a good early test for an unproven Yellow Jacket defense.
Maryland
at Connecticut – September 14, 2013
The Terps have only won 6 games the last two years. Randy Edsall needs get some early momentum going if he wants to see the Big 10 in 2014. The opening games of FIU and Old Dominion look pretty manageable, but then the Terps go on the road to face a UCONN team that won in College Park last season. The Huskies were a stiff defensive team last year and that could pose a problem for the offensively challenged Terps. This is a must win.
Miami
at Duke – November 16, 2013
After two very difficult weeks, at Florida State then Virginia Tech at home, the Canes probably would like a break. If there is a letdown after those 2 big games, the game in Durham against Duke could have the smell of an upset. This is a critical Coastal Division game that the Hurricanes would need if they are to win their first ACC Divisional crown.
North Carolina
Middle Tennessee – September 7, 2013
I know most of you are going Middle Tennessee? Why should North Carolina be concerned about them. This is why… North Carolina will open the season with a physical South Carolina team before Middle Tennessee. After Middle Tennessee, is an important conference game against Georgia Tech. Do you know who beat that same Jacket squad that defeated USC, went to final minutes with FSU, and dropped 68 points on UNC? It was Middle Tennessee and by 3 touchdowns on Georgia Tech’s home field. Georgia Tech was unprepared played poorly and Middle Tennessee embarrassed them.
NC State
at Wake Forest – October 5, 2013
2 years ago it was Florida State, and last year it was North Carolina. Wake Forest always seem to come up with a win or two they probably shouldn’t have. NC State needs to be paying attention when they head to Winston Salem on the 5th of October. You know Jim Grobe always has his teams ready. The Wolfpack have a great chance to be 5-1, or possibly 6-0 before playing at Florida State on Oct 26 if they get by the Deacs.
Pittsburgh
at Navy – October 26, 2013
Remember what I said about Navy as a trap game for Duke. Same thing for Pittsburgh, but maybe worse because it’s at Navy. Pittsburgh has a very difficult finishing stretch to their schedule, at Georgia Tech, Notre Dame, North Carolina, at Syracuse and Miami. Facing Navy is never easy, and Pittsburgh can’t look ahead.
Syracuse
at Maryland – November 9, 2013
The Orange have a daunting schedule this year, so they are going to have find some winnable road games. At Maryland November 9th looks like the best possibility. Syracuse can’t take this game for granted. The Orange won’t be able to overwhelm the Terps on talent alone and Edsall will have an extra week to prepare for this one.
Virginia
Ball State – October 5, 2013
This is the epitome of a trap game. At Pittsburgh the week before, at Maryland the week after and Ball State is in the middle. Ball State is coming off a 9 win season that saw them beat South Florida and win at Big 10 team Indiana’s home field. Virginia is not nearly talented enough to just show up against Ball State. Honestly the Cavaliers will need a solid effort to beat the Cardinals.
Virginia Tech
at East Carolina – September 14, 2013
East Carolina has given Virginia Tech problems in the past. The Pirates even beat the Hokies in 2008. That game, James Madison, Pittsburgh… The Hokies have shown a tendency to lose tp out of conference teams that they were favored to beat. With Western Carolina and Marshall sandwiching this game, the Hokies shouldn’t be looking ahead to anyone, but at the same time this is a bit of a sneaky tough road game. East Carolina has some weapons on offense.
Wake Forest
at Army – September 21, 2013
Wake Forest gave up 429 yards rushing in struggling to beat Army in Winston Salem last year. The Deacs weren’t able to put that game away until late. This year Wake Forest plays Army the week before a big road game at Clemson. I don’t think Wake Forest can lose this game and have any chance at a bowl game.
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