Looking at Week 1 of the ACC

ACC Game of the Week

Virginia Tech (neutral) Alabama

Is this the ACC game of the week? This is one of the top games of the year in the nation. Without Darren Evans the Hokies will have to rely on QB Tyrod Taylor. They have a deep backfield still with Ryan Williams, Josh Oglesby and David Wilson, but they are young.

Alabama has one of the most physical fronts in the nation. Terrance Cody is a beast at nose tackle. The Hokies are typically the ACC's most physical team, but the Crimson Tide can match them and then some. The Tide start their own new quarterback in Greg Mcelroy, that DE Jason Worilds and the Hokie D-Line needs to get pressure on.

If Taylor can play a mistake free game, Virginia Tech can stay with Alabama. This should be a fairly low scoring defensive battle.

Alabama 21 Virginia Tech 17

Best Game nobody is talking about

Baylor @ Wake Forest

You'll have tough time finding a game this weekend with two better quarterbacks than Baylor's dynamic Robert Griffen and steady Deac QB Riley Skinner. Baylor wants to get to a bowl game this year, and Wake Forest wants to continue their recent run of ACC success.

Last year Wake Forest won 41-13 in Waco early in the season, but expect a much closer game this year. The Deacs lost All-Americans Aaron Curry and Alphonoso Smith on defense, Griffen and the Bears improved as last season went on.

Wake Forest 31 Baylor 27

Game that might be closer than you think

Middle Tennessee @ Clemson

Do I think Clemson will lose this game? No, but they will be starting a new QB in Kyle Parker. Parker's talented but inexperienced.

With Georgia Tech only 5 days away, the Tigers may be caught looking ahead. Clemson will face a 4 Wide Receiver spread aerial attack from Middle Tennessee. The Blue Raiders were good enough to beat Maryland last year too.

Middle Tennessee head Rick Stockstill was a Clemson assistant from 1989 to 2002. He was part of the offensive coaching staff that produced some of Clemson's best offenses under Tommy Bowden.

This game will be close for a couple of quarters before the Tigers depth wears down the Blue Raiders.

Clemson 34 Middle Tennessee 14

Other ACC Games:

9/3

South Carolina @ NC State

A nice early season ACC\SEC Matchup. NC State has too much offense for the Gamecocks. Pack QB Russel Wilson is going to show out on national TV.

If South Carolina loses their fans will try to say it's because their tough SEC schedule wore them down, and it's only game 1.

NC State 27 South Carolina 14

9/5

Northeastern @ Boston College

Have the Eagles settled on a quarterback? RS-Freshman Justin Tuggle looks like the choice. The Eagles don't need much in this game.

Boston College 31 Northeastern 7

The Citadel @ North Carolina

The Heels defensive front 7 against the Citadel? I'm curious to see how QB T.J. Yates looks. This one will be ugly.

North Carolina 38 The Citadel 3

William & Mary @ Virginia

Good opening type game for the Cavs to work on their new spread offense. Al Groh still hasn't named a starter either. If Virginia loses Groh might want to just go ahead and start sending out resumes Monday morning.

Virginia 31 William & Mary 10

Jacksonville St. @ Georgia Tech

Jacksonville St. won't even have former LSU quarterback Ryan Perrilloux playing. Georgia Tech rests the starters for Clemson.

Georgia Tech 42 Jacksonville St. 10

Richmond @ Duke

The Spiders gave Virginia a very tough game last year. If Duke has a couple of early turnovers this could be close.

Duke 28 Richmond 13

Maryland @ California

Last year Maryland scored a nice win over Cal, but that was in College Park. The Terps are decent, but the Golden Bears have one of the best backfields in the nation. Jahvid Best and Shane Vereen will run wild.

California 34 Maryland 20

9/7

Miami @ Florida State

Remember when this was the game of year? Florida State is 2 touchdowns better than Miami, but this game has a way of always being close. The Noles are loaded along the offensive line.

Florida State 23 Miami 14