ACC Football Week Nine Predictions

Sometimes the games just don’t go like you think they will. Last week was evident of that. I ended up 2-3 last week, and at 34-17 overall. This week brings us six games, including two non-conference games and a conference tilt that will be featured on ESPN.

 

The eyes of the college football world will be focused on Raleigh Thursday night, as these two teams match up in what could be one of the few tough tests left on Florida State’s schedule.  Both teams had the week off last week. Both teams had stiff tests in their last games, as Florida State had to come back to beat Boston College, and NC State suffered an overtime loss at the hands of East Carolina. With both teams off last week, it gave Jimbo Fisher and Tom O’Brien an extra week to prepare for this game. And what I think we will see is a bit of a shootout. Both secondaries will be picked apart a little bit, but the question is which secondary can stop the passing game better. And I think Florida State’s secondary is better, and adding in what has become a very strong game, I see a road win in this game. Florida State 38, NC State 28

It would appear that Clemson has turned things around after a three game losing streak. The Tigers steamrolled Maryland, and beat Georgia Tech pretty handily. Boston College, on the other hand, has lost five in a row, and is desperate for a win. They have been more competitive in recent weeks, losing to Florida State by five and Maryland by three. The Eagles were ravaged by injuries to their defense in the Maryland game, and will be down a couple of starters. The offense is still the Montel Harris show, and very little else. With that said, I think the road team will win. Clemson 24, Boston College 14

Both of these teams were victorious last week. Miami got off to a slow start against North Carolina before blowing them out. Jacory Harris threw three touchdown passes against the North Carolina secondary. Virginia got off to a quick start against Eastern Michigan, stumbled in middle, before regaining traction and winning handily and getting their first win over an FBS team in over a year. Now Virginia needs to work on getting a conference win, which still hasn’t happened in a year, and I don’t think it’s going to happen this week. Miami 31, Virginia 14

There isn’t a team that has flown under the radar quite like Maryland has. They’re one win away from bowl eligibility after winning at Boston College last week. I’m not sure many people would have expected this kind of season. Wake Forest is 2-5 and had a week off to lick their wounds following a drubbing at the hands of Virginia Tech. If the Deacs want to stay in this game, they may want to run Josh Harris roughly 25 times, if not more. If you can run for 241 yards against Virginia Tech, you are a good running back.  Having said that, I don’t think it will be enough, and we will see Maryland become bowl eligible. Maryland 27, Wake Forest 17

While this is a matchup between a FCS school and an FBS school, this won’t necessarily be a cakewalk for North Carolina. The Tribe is 6-1 and ranked third in the FCS poll, and they do have experience in beating FBS schools, having defeated Virginia last season. UNC is 4-3 after falling at Miami. TJ Yates reverted to his past form, barely completing 50% of his passes, and throwing two interceptions. I don’t think this will be a big blowout, but I still think UNC wins somewhat comfortably. North Carolina 27, William & Mary 10

Apparently Navy has become the unofficial 13^th member of the ACC, as they are playing their third game against an ACC team. The Midshipmen are 1-1 in prior games, losing to Maryland and beating Wake Forest. Duke continues to be atrocious, as they were destroyed by Virginia Tech 44-7. What was thought to be a promising season is one loss away from missing out on a bowl for yet another year. And unfortunately, they will get that loss. Navy 34, Duke 17