2010 College Football Predictions: Week 1 ACC Preview
Thursday night kicked off the season, and I got the pleasure of taking in both the Wake Forest and Miami games (thank you ESPN3), although I didn't get a chance to throw my pregame analysis online (my score predictions weren't far off though).
The story lines entering the 2010 season were plenty for the ACC.
Florida State and Virginia have new head coaches, North Carolina is walking on thin ice with the NCAA, the league actually looks like it might produce a national title contender, and play makers are gone all over the league, most notably CJ Spiller (Clemson), Riley Skinner (Wake Forest), Thaddeus Lewis (Duke) and Jonathan Dwyer (Georgia Tech).
And we have what should be one of the best games of the year in Boise State vs Virginia Tech.
Bring it.
FAMU Rattlers (0-0) at Miami Hurricanes (0-0)
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Miami 45 (1-0), FAMU 0 (0-1)
Miami rolling up 45 points and 400 yards of offense should come as no surprise. QB Jacory Harris was nearly flawless, completing twelve of fifteen passes for 210 yards and 3 TD's and the offensive line looked a little more solid than I originally thought they would. What amazed me was the level of talent displayed at the running back position. Lamar Miller and Damien Berry are a viscous combo. I was surprised that true freshman stud RB Storm Johnson didn't see any action, but that may be an early indication that Coach Shannon might redshirt him.
There really weren't any negatives to take away from this one. I definitely didn't expect a shutout from the defense. The Canes looked great all across the board, making next weeks match-up against Ohio State that much better.
ACC Blitz Prediction: Miami 48, FAMU 10
Up Next: at Ohio State
Presbyterian Blue Hose (0-0) at Wake Forest Demon Deacons (0-0)
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Wake Forest 53 (1-0), Presbyterian 13 (0-1)
I don't think anyone in their right mind saw the Deacs dropping 50+ points in their first game of the the 'Riley Skinner-less Era'. Yes, it was Presbyterian - I know. But that many points from a squad that was expected to score maybe 20 a game isn't too shabby. They rolled up 415 yards and 6 TD's on the ground, with ten different players rushing at least twice.
I'd love to talk positives all day, but there two areas that should raise some concern for Deacon fans. First, the lack of a solid passing game. It was Ted Stachitas first game, and he only connected on seven of thirteen passes. Wake has the misdirection down, and runs it rather effectively, but there needs be a passing threat of some sort to avoid a one-dimensional attack. Although I will say Stachitas mobility was REALLY impressive. Secondly, the defense allowed 362 total yards to a team that on paper shouldn't have topped 200.
ACC Blitz Prediction: Wake Forest 34, Presbyterian 21
Up Next: vs Duke
Samford Bulldogs (0-0) at Florida State Seminoles (0-0)
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Samford (0-0) at Florida State (0-0)
Florida State is kicking off a season opener without Bobby Bowden on the sideline for the first time in what seems like forever. Luckily for him, he has the luxury of an offensive superpower to work with. QB Christian Ponder is back and will likely put together a 300 yard campaign, although that will be easier said than done considering Samford isn't that bad defensively.
I'll be curious to see what receivers step up. Like many other squads in the ACC, receiver is an area of concern.
The real red flag in Seminole nation is the defense. It almost feels wrong to mention 'bad defense' and 'Florida State' in the same sentence but last year they allowed a whopping 30 points per contest. New defensive coordinator Mark Stoops will likely tone that down some, but the Seminoles success rests on exactly how much he can. I'm not sure how much of a look we'll actually get at the new 'D'; the Bulldogs aren't exactly an offensive juggernaut.
ACC Blitz Prediction: Florida State 52, Samford 13
Up Next: at Oklahoma
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South Carolina State Bulldogs (0-0) at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (0-0)
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South Carolina State (0-0) at Georgia Tech (0-0)
Having to replace two major players on both offense and defense is a death card for most teams. But this is a Paul Johnson we're talking about.
They no longer have the services of RB Jonathan Dwyer and WR Demaryius Thomas, both of which led the Jackets in rushing and receiving respectively. But it looks like their replacements are ready to step up. RB Anthony Allen showed flashes of greatness in 2009, averaging an amazing 9.7 yards per carry. Stephen Hill looks to give Nesbitt a solid target to throw to. He only had a handful of catches last year, but his 6'5" frame screams 'throw to me'. While the Bulldogs have a solid defense, Tech has one of the offenses that is damn near impossible to stop.
On the defensive side of the ball, Derrick Morgan and Morgan Burnett are gone. Morgan accounted for 12.5 sacks in 2009 and Burnett, who was a hard hitter that had the ability to alter a teams game plan around him. Rumor has is Jason Peters might just be the pass rusher Tech needs in '10. They should have no problem keeping SC State off the scoreboard.
ACC Blitz Prediction: Georgia Tech 33, SC State 10
Up Next: at Kansas
Weber State Wildcats (0-0) at Boston College Eagles (0-0)
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Weber State (0-0) at Boston College (0-0)
This is one game I wish I had a sideline pass for. Mark Herzlich makes his return the Eagles after missing all of 2009 while battling cancer. The former ACC Defensive Player of the Year is the definition of inspiration.
The 2010 Eagles are playing the role of sleeper in the ACC (again?). They return RB Montel Harris, who is easily the most underrated back in the nation. He'll be running behind an offensive line that features two Preseason All-ACC selections. QB play was the Boston Colleges weak spot last year, but Dave Shinskie should get plenty of reps against an over-matched Weber State squad.
On defense, you won't see a more solid linebacking group. Herzlich plus super stud Luke Kuechly anchor down the middle of the field. The outsides and the line are the only area of concern, with the cornerbacks lacking a ton of experience and the line really needing to get some pressure on opposing QB's. They'll need two cupcakes to warm up before a showdown with Virginia Tech.
ACC Blitz Prediction: Boston College 38, Weber State 3
Up Next: vs Kent State
North Texas Mean Green (0-0) at Clemson Tigers (0-0)
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North Texas Mean Green (0-0) at Clemson Tigers (0-0)
Life without CJ Spiller begins Saturday in Tiger Town.
The superstar left quit a legacy at Clemson. So much so, many people around the nation are counting out the Tigers in 2010. I don't quite understand it though.
Offensively, they return QB Kyle Parker and a stacked offensive line, and they feature a Top 10 caliber defense, led by All-American DeAndre McDaniel. This team will put up a ton of points on the Mean Green, and it should be a coming out party for RB Andre Ellington. While it will be tough to one-up Spillers overall marks, Ellington might actually be a better true runningback.
North Texas is actually pretty good offensively on paper but this Tiger defense is metaphorical brick wall. The linebacking corp is the only weak spot, and unfortunately the leader of this years pack, Brandon Maye, will be out for the opener. DaQuan Bowers will likely rack up 2-3 sacks, and McDaniel should have a field day if the line gets pressure and forces bad throws.
ACC Blitz Prediction: Clemson 41, North Texas 13
Up Next: Presbyterian
Western Carolina Catamounts (0-0) at NC State Wolfpack (0-0)
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Western Carolina Catamounts (0-0) at NC State Wolfpack (0-0)
Comeback story of the year number two takes place for the Pack when LB Nate Irving makes his return after missing all of 2009 recovering from a near fatal car accident.
QB Russell Wilson is back after a stellar 2009 campaign in which he threw for 31 TD's. He has a majority of his receiving corp in tack as well. The area of concern offensively is the rushing game and the offensive line. The Pack only return two starters on the line, which ultimately will affect how well Wilson can perform. The match-up against Western Carolina provides some of the inexperienced guys time to get real game reps in.
Defensively, they are bogged down by inexperience all across the board. The only solid spot is linebacker with Irving, but no one really knows how well he'll perform. This will be a great chance to get some much needed playing time in for this young group.
ACC Blitz Prediction: NC State 38, WCU 24
Up Next: at UCF
Richmond Spiders (0-0) at Virginia Cavaliers (0-0)
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Richmond Spiders (0-0) at Virginia Cavaliers (0-0)
New head coach equals new results. That's what Cavalier nation hopes at least. New head man Mike London makes his debut. He brings a ton of energy to the table and seems to have that 'something' that players really latch on to. His first season will be a tough one though.
It's hard for a team to win when the QB position is the weak spot. Marc Verica is back but it'll be a long year if he performs anything like 2009, when he threw twice as many INT's as TD's. It doesn't stop there - the Cavs lack any real experience at running back and receiver as well. On defense, it's the same story. No real standouts and a ton of inexperience.
Playing a Richmond team that went 11-2 isn't what the doctor ordered to start the 2010 season. This will be my 'upset' in the ACC (if you can call it an upset).
ACC Blitz Prediction: Richmond 24, Virginia 21
Up Next: at USC
Elon Phoenix (0-0) at Duke Blue Devils (0-0)
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Elon Phoenix (0-0) at Duke Blue Devils (0-0)
Coach Cutcliffe has slowly but surely started Dukes ascension from the basement of the ACC.
On offense, he won't have the services of QB Thaddeus Lewis but his replacement, Sean Renfree looks up to the task of running the offense. Renfree has all the tools to be a standout QB, and a receiving corp that most teams would drool over.
The defense will likely be the reason the Blue Devils won't see much of an improvement over last years 5-7 record. They lost a combined 170 career starts on defense. Elon won't get shutout but the Blue Devils have enough firepower on offense to out last the Phoenix.
ACC Blitz Prediction: Duke 34, Elon 24
Up Next: at Wake Forest
LSU Tigers (0-0) Vs North Carolina Tar Heels (0-0)
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LSU Tigers (0-0) Vs North Carolina Tar Heels (0-0)
The Tar Heels went from ACC and possible National Title contender to likely middle of the pack within a few weeks. This season looked promising with a defense that had NFL talent all over the field, and an offense that looked good enough to win a majority of games.
I actually had North Carolina winning this one until the recent news that almost all of their key players will be out.
I'll keep this one short - LSU wins.
ACC Blitz Prediction: LSU 24, North Carolina 10
Up Next: vs Georgia Tech
Navy Midshipmen (0-0) Vs Maryland Terrapins (0-0)
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Navy Midshipmen (0-0) Vs Maryland Terrapins (0-0)
Hot Seat is the best way to describe Ralph Friedgen's situation. Hotter-than-the-surface-of-the-sun-my-ass-is-on-fire is more like it. The Terps finished 2-10 last season, with the only ACC win coming against Atlantic Champ Clemson (ironic right?)
Maryland does have players on offense. RB's Da’Rel Scott and Davin Meggett are solid and WR Torrey Smith is All-ACC caliber. They should be able to move the ball somewhat effectively against a Navy team that returns only six starters on defense.
It's stopping the Navy offense that's the problem. They are loaded and return a majority of their starters from 2009. Aside from being loaded at LB with Alex Wujciak, they are weak on the line and in the secondary.
ACC Blitz Prediction: Navy 31, Maryland 21
Up Next: vs Morgan State
Boise State Broncos (0-0) Vs Virginia Tech Hokies (0-0)
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Boise State Broncos (0-0) Vs Virginia Tech Hokies (0-0)
What a way to finish off Week 1 in college football. This looks more like a BCS Game than a season opener.
Boise State will get a chance to prove itself against one of the better teams in the nation year in and year out. There's no need to go in depth on statistics - both squads have GREAT defenses and both are loaded on offense.
On paper, the Broncos have the advantage because the Hokies lost a ton of starters on defense. But this is a Bud Foster defense here, and I can guarantee he's lost a lot of sleep game planning for this one.
Offensively, I can't think of a better match up. Two Heisman hopefuls square off in Bronco QB Kellen Moore and Tech RB Ryan Williams. One of these two will likely be the difference in this game.
This will be a back and forth one, but the soon to be ACC Champs come out on top.
ACC Blitz Prediction: Virginia Tech 27, Boise State 24
Up Next: vs James Madison
Peace!
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I'll see everyone Sunday, maybe Monday, with a full ACC Week 1 recap.
Between ESPN3 and DVR on three TV's, I'll get a chance to catch every conference game this weekend.
Heaven? I think so.
Harlon Jordan
ACC Blitz
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