It was a subpar week for predictions. I went 5-3 last week, and I sit at 17-9 for the season. This week brings one non-conference game, and some very intriguing conference matchups, some with upset potential.
Miami vs. Clemson
If there was a team that needed a bye week to recover, it was Clemson. The whole team was beat up after the Auburn game. Miami, on the other hand, handled Pitt easily, mostly due to Pitt not being a very good team. Jacory Harris threw two more interceptions, and doesn’t appear to have changed much from last season. And with an opportunistic defense like Clemson, that will prove to be a dangerous and costly thing. Clemson 31, Miami 17
Florida State vs. Virginia
Both of these teams enjoyed comfortable victories over their opponents last week, as Florida State pitched a shutout against Wake Forest, and Virginia whipped up on VMI. But there’s something else to look at here. Florida State looked terrible in its lone road game, and has a road game next week against Miami. You could say, to a quote a great rebel leader, “IT’S A TRAP!” for Florida State. And I think we see a big upset here. Virginia 24, Florida State 23
Virginia Tech vs. NC State
It appears that Virginia Tech’s defense has shown signs of awakening after shutting out Boston College. But it also could be showing how bad Boston College’s offense is as well. But the difference is that this will be the second team the Hokies will face with a dangerous passing game, and it didn’t fare to well in the first one. NC State is the talk of the ACC right now, getting off to a 4-0 start. They may have to face Ryan Williams, who has practiced this week, and it looks as though he will play. The Hokies will use the four headed running attack (counting Tyrod Taylor) to try and get past this NC State defense. This game could be a bit of a shootout, and I will give a slight advantage to the home team. NC State 34, Virginia Tech 31
East Carolina vs. North Carolina
UNC got a much needed win last week against Rutgers. It wasn’t pretty, but a win is a win nonetheless. But they have a bit of a challenge ahead of them with an ECU team that’s scored 127 points in their first three games. But they’ve also given up 125 points. It will be interesting to see how the recent findings regarding UNC will affect the team on the field. It seems like the team played just fine during the first set of allegations, and I don’t think they will affect them too much. UNC 31, East Carolina 20
Duke vs. Maryland
It was another tough weekend for Duke, as the defense once again didn’t stop their opponent, allowing 35 points to Army, and dropping to 1-3. Duke’s defense is now ranked 118th of 121 teams in points allowed, and they’re facing a Maryland team that has scored 135 points in its last three games. I don’t see the trends changing much. This will be a high scoring affair, but the home team wins. Maryland 48, Duke 28
Georgia Tech vs. Wake Forest
Both teams are 2-2, Georgia Tech is a disappointing 2-2, and Wake was expected to be 2-2. It appears that Ted Stachitas will be starting at quarterback for Wake Forest after Tanner Price suffered a concussion last week during the Florida State game. But the issue here is Wake Forest’s defense. It has given up 149 points in its last three games, and has been one of the worst defenses in the country this year. And that will be the difference. Georgia Tech 42, Wake Forest 17
Notre Dame vs. Boston College
It looks like there will be a new starter at quarterback, as Dave Shinskie has been demoted. It appears that freshman Chase Rettig will get the start, but that has not been confirmed. Either way, the Notre Dame defense will see a lot of Montel Harris, as you would figure the game plan will be very conservative. Notre Dame is off to 1 -3 start, losing three in a row. Their defense isn’t that good, so that could mean BC could put up a few points. But I don’t think it will be enough to win. Notre Dame 20, Boston College 13
