Week Seven ACC Football Predictions

I officially hold a grudge against Wake Forest, especially their defense. Had they stopped Navy one more time, I would have had a perfect 6-0 week. But I will have to settle with a 5-1 week, which puts me at 26-13 overall. This week brings us seven games, with two of them non conference.

 

It appears that Florida State has emerged as the class of the ACC after destroying Miami on the road. The logic would seem that they should be able to steamroll a Boston College team that has lost three in a row and is plagued by quarterback issues. It is not known who will start for Boston College, but BC fans are hoping it’s not Dave Shinskie.  I do think there will be a slight letdown factor here. I don’t expect Florida State to bring their A game, but I don’t think they will be in a lot of danger here. Florida State 28, Boston College 14

Speaking of Boston College, they were a team that NC State beat the tar out of last week as payback for losing to Virginia Tech the week prior. Russell Wilson played significantly better last week, and showed no signs of losing his confidence after a poor showing the week earlier. They will go to East Carolina, a team who is 3-2, with both losses coming to ACC teams (Virginia Tech and North Carolina). I think this could be a bit of a pesky game for NC State. The ECU offense is very good, especially in the passing game, where they rank 12^th in the country. The ball will be slung all over the field with two good quarterbacks on the field in Wilson and Dominique Davis. This game will be a bit of a shootout, but I think NC State will prevail. NC State 45, East Carolina 31

 

These two teams are trending in different ways. Maryland has won two in a row, and had a bye week to prepare for this game, while Clemson has lost three in a row.  Danny O’Brien had a pretty shaky performance in his last game against Duke, only completing nine of 26 passes. Kyle Parker, on the other hand, has only completed 60% of his passes once this year, which was a 6-9 effort against Presbyterian. Despite the trends, I think Clemson rebounds. Clemson 24, Maryland 21

It was not a pretty sight in Miami last week. Miami didn’t really show up last week against FSU. Jacory Harris was 19-47 and threw yet another interception, making nine interceptions in five games. But this week will probably be a bit different. Duke is 115^th in the nation in points allowed, and even though they are coming off a bye week, and despite only allowing 21 points in their last game against Maryland, it won’t matter. I think Harris will sort of right the ship for Miami this week. Miami 38, Duke 21

Two athletic quarterbacks are featured in this tilt. Middle Tennessee features Dwight Dasher, who will be playing his second game after sitting out four games because of some off field issues. Dasher is a dual threat quarterback. The Blue Raiders are 2-3 so far this season, losing to Minnesota, Memphis, and Troy, while beating Austin Peay and Louisiana-Lafayette. Georgia Tech ran through the Virginia defense like a hot knife through butter. The Yellow Jackets ran for 477 yards against Virginia, and the Yellow Jackets now rank third in the nation in rushing, averaging 328 yards on the ground. Georgia Tech has won three of its last four, and will easily make it four out of five. Georgia Tech 31, Middle Tennessee 10

Remember at the beginning of the season when it seemed like Virginia Tech was in a lot of trouble? Well, that doesn’t appear to be the case anymore. There are some minor defensive concerns still, but not nearly what there was at the beginning of the season. After a win over Central Michigan, the Hokies improved to 4-2, and thanks to Miami’s loss, are in the driver’s seat to represent the ACC Coastal division again in the ACC title game. Wake Forest has lost four in a row after a one point loss to Navy last week, but may have found their quarterback of the future in Tanner Price, who threw for 326 yards in a losing effort. I think Price will be able to throw a little on the VA Tech defense, but it won’t lead itself to many points. Virginia Tech 31, Wake Forest 13

The South’s Oldest Rivalry converges for the 115^th time. UVA has beaten North Carolina four straight times in this rivalry, but the Cavs have not beaten a FBS team in nearly a year (UVA’s two wins this year are against FCS teams). This is one of the few times this year where they may have a chance, but UNC has won three in a row, and is playing really well on all sides of the football. I think the streak will end, but I do think that UVA will keep it close. North Carolina 27, UVA 23