It was another average week. I was 3-3 again last week, leaving me at 39-23 overall. It has become painfully unpredictable, and I will gladly take a .500 week. This week brings another slate of six conference games, with several intriguing games on tap.
Miami vs. Georgia Tech
Despite the fact that both teams will start backup quarterbacks this week, this is still an intriguing game. Jacory Harris will miss another game with a concussion, and Josh Nesbitt is done after getting injured last week against Virginia Tech. Tevin Washington will start in his place, and looked impressive taking the Yellow Jackets down the field at the end of the game, before under throwing a pass that was intercepted in the end zone. The Yellow Jackets will also be without leading receiver Stephen Hill for this game, but that isn’t as big of a loss. Miami has had some difficulty stopping the run this year, and allowed nearly 300 yards rushing against Florida State, and I think Georgia Tech will put up similar numbers in a home win. Georgia Tech 31, Miami 20
Boston College vs. Duke
This game features one of the best defenses in the ACC against one of the worst defenses in the ACC. Both teams have won two in a row, and still have a shot at a bowl game. Don’t expect Duke to score over 50 points like they did last week. In fact, I don’t think they’re going to score half of that. The Boston College defense is too good. They will be able to stop Duke’s offense, and control the clock with Montel Harris and the running game. While it will be a close game, I’ll take the road team. Boston College 21, Duke 17
Wake Forest vs. NC State
I feel bad for Wake Forest. They’re about to run in to a buzz saw, an angry buzz saw. Many are still trying to figure out how NC State lost last week to Clemson. But Tom O’Brien will have his team ready for this one. They’re about to face a team that’s 10th in the ACC in pass defense, and is also one of the worse team in the country in terms of giving up points. Russell Wilson will torch the Wake Forest secondary, and will probably call it a day early. NC State 45, Wake Forest 10
Virginia Tech vs. North Carolina
This is probably the most intriguing game of the week to me. If VA Tech can win, they will clinch the ACC Coastal Division, and will come back to Charlotte in a few weeks. But this is not going to be easy. North Carolina is bowl eligible despite a really tough start to the season. The Heels have won six of their last seven games, and have a legit shot at knocking VA Tech from the ranks of the unbeaten in conference play. The Hokies will be without David Wilson, who contracted mono, and will sit out. With UNC being the home team, I am predicting a bit of an upset for the Heels. UNC 28, VA Tech 24
Maryland vs. Virginia
Here’s a little fun fact for you. There’s a lot of talk about other defenses in the conference, but Maryland has allowed the third fewest point in conference play. Only Virginia Tech and Clemson have allowed fewer points in ACC play. In short, it’s an underrated defense. The issue is an inconsistent offense. The Terps are near the bottom of the league in rushing and passing. On the other hand, UVA’s passing offense is ranked fairly high, although a lot of that had to do with last week’s aerial assault. This is Virginia’s senior day, and the seniors will go out on a high note. Virginia 24, Maryland 23
Clemson vs. Florida State
The biggest question is the Florida State quarterback situation. There’s talk that Christian Ponder could miss the rest of the season. But EJ Manuel has run this offense before in a similar situation at the end of the season last year. Manuel started the last four games of last season, and went 3-1 in those games. I don’t really think that there will be much of a drop off in offense with Manuel on the field. Clemson is still enigmatic offensively, as Tahj Boyd came in for Kyle Parker briefly during the NC State game. This will be a home team victory. Florida State 27, Clemson 17
