ACC Football Games of The Week for 2009

After a disappointing bowl season, the ACC at least ended with a victory when Virginia Tech defeated Cincinnati 20-7 in the Orange Bowl. 

The victory broke the league’s eight-game BCS losing streak, but the ACC still ended up being mostly an irrelevant conference in the final standings and in bowl wins with a dismal 4-6 record.

Despite the fact this conference hasn't been in contention for a national championship in a while now, there are good teams that are improving and they may not be the doormat league for the SEC and others much longer. 

Let's look at the games of week so you can see for yourself.

Week One

Is conveniently split up into three big days with three big games.  On Thursday, South Carolina goes to North Carolina State for a game that will pit cross state and cross conference rivals.

Saturday the big game is Virginia Tech vs. Alabama in a game that could have top 5 implications later on.  This is on a neutral field in the Georgia Dome and may be the most viewed game of the week.

But for the ACC, the biggest game of the week is the annual slug fest that will happen when when Miami comes up to Florida State on Monday. 

Christian Ponder seems to have his legs underneath him now and last year guided the Seminoles to a conference leading 32.7 points a game.  Miami struggled on offense for most of the year and is counting on exploiting some of defensive starters who have left.

With a new offensive coordinator, things should pick up for the 'Canes, but not soon enough to win this one. 

Larry's pick - Fla. State

Week Two

Has a great opposing conference game between two teams that always field a good team.  When Gary Patterson brings his TCU horned frogs to Virginia he will find a team with a new offense. 

Al Groh is moving to the spread to take advantage of QB Jameel Sewell's speed and athleticism. This is a great move for Groh and should get the Cav's to a bowl this year.

Can they have the new offense clicking by week two?  That will be the question.  Patterson is return a lot of key people and looks to be strong again this year. 

Larry's pick - TCU

Week Three

This is a week full of exciting games.  Thursday sees Georgia Tech at Miami, Saturday has Boston College at Clemson, Florida State going to BYU and a recently good East Carolina team takes on North Carolina.  There's lots of great football this week.

But the biggest has got to be Nebraska at Virgina Tech.  Tyrod Taylor and Darren Evans had a great orange bowl and are returning to make life miserable on opposing defenses.  Can they carry it this season? 

This game will answer a lot of questions because the Husker's have been rebuilding and are looking like a bowl team more this year than previous ones. Can they hold back the Hokies at home?  I don't think so.

Larry's pick - Virginia Tech

Week Four

This is a tough week and my pick may differ from yours.  With Wake Forest playing at Boston College, Miami at Virginia Tech and South Florida and Florida State, there are lots of big games.

But the big one in my opinion has to be North Carolina at Ga. Tech.  This game could have meaning later in the season both for bowls for either team, and for Tech, for a possible championship.

North Carolina will miss the skills and speed of WR Hakeem Nicks, but they still have returning QB T.J. Yates and a good defense to counter Ga. Tech's Flexbone.  North Carolina hasn't played another team with this offense and it will be even better than last year.

With big losses on defense though, can Tech outscore Tar Heels?  This could really be a good one.

Larry's pick - Georgia Tech

Week Five

Yes Florida State is playing Boston College and Oklahoma is coming to Miami to pound them again, but the game I'm picking to have the biggest ramification on the ACC is Virginia at North Carolina. 

Even though it's only week five both these teams are feeling the pressure to get bowl eligible.  These are two pretty evenly matched teams at this point.

Virginia's offense should have had enough time now to get clicking, and it will be a test against the good defense that  North Carolina is sure to have going.

The loser of this game may struggle to make a bowl game by season's end and the winner will be a leg up for a better bowl.

Larry's pick - North Carolina

Week Six

No question over the top game this week, it's Georgia Tech going to Florida State.  This game could determine who's leading each division by the end of the game.  Last year's game was a real thriller and this year's could be just as exciting and just as close.

This is a game that Florida State has had circled for a while now and they plan on avenging that close loss from last year and throwing down the gauntlet for the rest of the teams in the ACC.

The winner of this game may have a leg up on the other teams in their division to make the championship game, especially if it's Georgia Tech.

Larry's pick - Florida State

Week Seven

There's no rest for the weary as Virginia Tech invades Atlanta to take on the Georgia Tech's Ramblin' Wreck.  Last year's game was as exciting as it was close. 

The Hokies won it 20-17 by holding off a late charge from the Yellow Jackets.  This is the second big game in a row for Georgia Tech.

Will home field be the deciding factor this year?  This game may be for the Coastal Division Championship. 

By week seven this game could be decided by earlier injuries and sweeping momentum.  I look for another close and thrilling game.

Larry's pick - Virginia Tech

Week Eight

The big game this week has Flori State going to North Carolina.  The tar heels have a way of sneaking up on teams, and lately, Florida State has a nasty habit of dropping games they shouldn't.  ESPN and the nation will watch this Thursday night game to see if that scenario will play out.

This is a game that the Seminoles should win.  Christian Ponder should have the offense clicking and the Noles always seem to have a good defense, but still, I have that nagging feeling that a national audience and home field could inspire North Carolina to pay it's best.

Larry's pick - Florida State (but I almost want to pick an upset)

Week Nine

North Carolina State has an uncanny habit of usually being a thorn in Florida State's side.  Last year the Noles won, but it took three forth quarter scores to put away the pesky Wolfpack. 

It was a tougher game than it should have been for Florida State, especially considering that NC State only won four conference games all year.

The Wolfpack have an exceptional QB and an offense that is expected to put up big points.

They always play the Noles a tough game and with all the "must win" games that Fla. State has already played, there could be a big let down here as I don't think the Noles have ever learned not to take this team too lightly.

Larry's pick - a North Carolina State upset

Week Ten

Florida State at Clemson might be a good pick.  I haven't talked about Clemson much in this article because I expect them to be in a rebuilding mode for much of the year and the growing pains of that and a new staff may just be too much to overcome for first year coach Dabo Swinney. 

Therefore, I'm not picking the Clemson-Florida State game because I fully expect State to pound them.

Instead I'm going with a game of two schools that should give the fans a great game to watch and that will effect who goes to what bowl, if at all.  So I'm going with Wake Forest at Georgia Tech.

Wake has one of the best coaches in the ACC and he will have this team ready to play despite the loss of some of his best defensive players, like linebacker Aaron Curry and cornerback Alphonso Smith.  But he will have most of his offensive play makers and should be able to put up some points.  

These two teams didn't tussle last year but both ended the season with a 9-4 record for Georgia Tech and an 8-5 record for Wake.  I see this being a very hard fought game with the winner being the one with the least mistakes.

Larry's pick - Pick 'em

Week 11

Wake Forest goes from the frying pan into the fire this week when they take on Florida State in friendly home confines.  Last year they fought early when Christian Ponder didn't have his legs underneath him and the Demon Deacons won a defensive struggle 12-3 struggle. 

This year both teams should be able to score, but the outcome may be just as close.  In the end I think Florida State has just a little too much offense to go along with that stout defense.

Larry's pick - Florida State

Week 12

This is not the most exciting of weeks for games.  That is, unless you're one of the teams needing a win for a bowl game.  That scenario this week is North Carolina going to Boston College.  Last year North Carolina buried them in a 45-24 beating.

Last year both these teams lost their bowl game in close, heartbreaking losses.  Both may go to bowls again this year, these are teams on the borderline at this time of year. 

Larry's Pick - North Carolina

Week 13

With the season at an end, some teams are scrambling either to make a bowl or make themselves attractive for a better bowl.

No teams seem to need this week to get a win, other than Clemson playing at South Carolina.  This is not just a must need win for a bowl, but a great in state rivalry as well.

South Carolina and Clemson both may need this win for sweet bowl eligibility as well as bragging rights and the ever present "beauty contest" for recruits in that area.  This may boil down to the "Old Ball Coach" and "New Kid on the Block".  I think experience wins out.

Larry's pick - South Carolina

Bonus Pick

ACC Championship - Va. Tech