2010 College Football Predictions: Week 7 ACC Preview
Last weekend's action helped to clear up the conference picture a little more.
In the Atlantic, Florida State is looking more and more legit, and is the best team in the ACC to this point. They're fresh off a HUGE road win at Miami, moving them to 5-1 on the year and a Top 20 ranking. NC State manhandled Boston College to keep itself in great position to make a run at the 'Noles. NC State is at East Carolina in out of conference action, but the Seminoles can strengthen their hold on the top spot by beating Boston College in Tally. The jury is still out on Maryland. While the Terps are 4-1 and 1-0 in ACC play, they haven't really faced a real test other than West Virginia (which they lost). A win over Clemson this weekend could signal a new face moving to the upper portion of the division.
Over in the Coastal, Virginia Tech has rebounded from its two early season losses by winning four in a row and put itself in first place. It's the middle part of the division that's still hazy. Georgia Tech is sitting at 3-1 and in second place, but NC State showed they are a very beatable team (Wake Forest nearly did the same). The bad news for the Jackets? They haven't played Clemson, Miami, or Virginia Tech yet. The Hurricanes and Tar Heels are in the same boat, having very tough conference games left.
Coming into the season, no one would have thought the Atlantic would produce what appear to be the two best conference teams.
Things to Watch for in Week 7 ACC Football Action
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- Former Clemson RB and superman C.J. Spiller will have his No. 28 retired this weekend. Spiller, a first round draft pick in last years NFL Draft, set 33 school records while playing for the Tigers.
- Miami at Duke. The Canes are coming off of an embarrassing loss to Florida State and appear to be having some major issues all across the board. I highly HIGHLY doubt the Blue Devils have what it takes to pull off an upset, but this has the formula for one.
- With a win over Boston College, Florida State will move to 4-0 in ACC play, and push the Eagles to 0-3. This isn't the scenario many saw in the preseason as BC was expected to at least challenge for the Atlantic title.
- North Carolina is in a much better position than many thought they'd be at this point. After beating Clemson to move to 1-1 in ACC play, a win versus Virginia moves them in the upper tier of the Coastal.
- The Maryland Terrapins, 4-1 and 1-0 in ACC play, can take another step in establishing themselves as legit with a win over a Clemson team that has dropped three games in a row. It won't be as simple as that though all three of those losses were close (an average of only six points) and this Tiger team has the potential to run the table on their remaining ACC schedule.
- NC State is in a prime position to jump back into the Top 25 with a win at East Carolina. They are currently 5-1, and a win going into a bye week would be huge considering their next game is against front-runner Florida State.
- The Miami/Duke matchup features the three best receivers in the league: Duke's Conner Vernon and Donovan Varner rank first and second, with Miami's Leonard Hankerson coming in at third.
- Boston College LB Luke Kuechly looks to add to his nation leading average of 14 tackles per game.
- Clemson DE DaQuan Bowers is currently fourth in the nation in sacks and third in tackles for loss. Maryland comes in allowing an average of two sacks per game, so Bowers will have a chance to add to his total.
Quick Hitters: Week 7 ACC Football Previews and Predictions
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Boston College @ Florida State - 12:00 ESPN
This is probably the hardest matchup to gauge this week. Florida State is sitting at number one in the Atlantic with a 5-1 overall record and a 3-0 mark in conference play. Boston College is the polar opposite, coming in at the bottom of the division with Clemson. But records aside, history says this will be a close one. The Eagles have actually won the last two meetings, and no contest has been decided by more than 11 points since they started playing as conference foes in 2005.
Despite the history though, I can't see any way BC hangs with the Noles in this one. The Eagles are dead last in the ACC in scoring at 18.8 per game and FSU only allows just over two TD's at 15 points per game. BC, which normally touts a solid defense, is giving up 25 a contest. That's good news for a Seminole offesen that is burning people to the tune of almost 38 a game.
A dominate FSU offense and defense will put this one away early.
Prediction: Florida State 38, Boston College 13
Maryland @ Clemson - 12:00 ACC Network
This is a game featuring two teams headed in seemingly opposite directions. Maryland is defying all preseason predictions with a 4-1 record while the reigning Atlantic Champion Tigers are at 2-3, and already 0-2 in ACC play.
Both teams records are a tad deceiving though.
Maryland hasn't really faced any legit competition this year other than West Virginia, who handed them their only loss. In their last outing, they squeaked by a bad Duke team 21-16, needing a fourth down stop on the final drive where Duke got all the way to the Terps 39. They only managed 294 yards against one of the worst defenses in the nation. The Tiger D will pose a much bigger problem.
On the other side, the Tigers are coming off three consecutive losses by a combined 17 points, all of which were to note-worthy opponents (Auburn, Miami and North Carolina). In back to back weeks, there have been multiple breakdowns on defense and an even bigger catastrophe regarding receiver play. The only bright spot has been a very solid season by RB Andre Ellington, who was recently promised by Coach Dabo that he will be getting the bulk of the carries from here on out. Smart move. Ellington averages 6.6 yards per carry and is third in the conference in rushing, despite only getting 12 touches against UNC.
The combination of a loud crowd with Spiller in town, Ellington getting more touches, and a Tiger team that is probably fuming mad should equal a Clemson win.
Prediction: Clemson 24, Maryland 14
NC State @ East Carolina - 12:00 CSBC
The Wolfpack look to build on their already impressive 5-1 record when they take on high flying East Carolina. State has already put itself in great position in the ACC race, but this week's contest is their shot at getting back into the Top 25 before a bye which is followed up by a monster showdown with Florida State.
East Carolina comes in sporting one of the top scoring and passing offenses in the nation. But their up against one of the better defenses the ACC has. And if this is anything like the Pirates other two games against an ACC opponent this year, it could get ugly quick. NC State has one of the best offenses in the nation, let by Heisman candidate QB Russell Wilson.
It should be easy going for Wilson and company as ECU has one of the worst defenses in the country, allowing over 450 yards and 40 points per contest. Don't be surprised to see the Pack top 50 in this one and Wilson throw for 1,000 yards (kidding, of course).
Prediction: NC State 59, East Carolina 24
Miami @ Duke - 1:00 ESPN3.com
This one is rather interesting. Normally, this would equate to a Miami blow out. But this isn't your typical Miami team, nor your typical Duke team. The Canes have taken the last four in this contest by an average of just under 13 points.
Not exactly domination.
The 2010 Blue Devils are far more talented than previous years and they have an extremely potent passing attack, featuring two of the best receivers in the conference in Conner Vernon and Donovan Varner. Defense is their Achilles heel. They are dead last in scoring defense and total defense, which spells success for a Miami team that averages almost 30 a game to go along with 381 yards.
Despite looking rather paltry against Florida State, Miami still possess' a dangerous offense. QB Jacory Harris has been, well, rather 'Harris like', throwing nine INT's to go along with his 10 TD's. One real positive for the Canes is the emergence of RB Damien Berry. He put up 101 yards on a stingy FSU defense, and is now fourth in the ACC in rushing.
Miami will look rusty early, and this will likely be closer than expected at the half, but the Canes pull away behind a 125+ yard day for Berry.
Prediction: Miami 41, Duke 24
Middle Tennessee State @ Georgia Tech - 3:30 ESPN3.com
Not really too much to analyze with this one. Tech is sitting at 4-2 overall, but could really use this as a 'problem correction' game before their crucial ACC showdown at Clemson the week after.
MTSU allows nearly 200 yards rushing a game so Nesbitt and company should be able to run and run, and run some more. The Raiders actually have a decent offense though, which could make this a little closer than most would probably think.
Either way, aside from MTSU maybe putting some points up, the Jackets roll easily.
Prediction: Georgia Tech 38, MTSU 17
Wake Forest @ Virginia Tech - 3:30 ESPNU
The Demon Deacon fan base has my utmost sympathy. After back to back blowouts at the hands of Stanford and Florida State, Wake put together great games against Georgia Tech and Navy, two of the countries top rushing teams, only to lose on a last second TD. Passing TD's of all things.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but don't expect another close one here.
Virginia Tech have won four in a row and have found their swag, officially playing like the Hokies we all know and expected to see this season. QB Tyrod Taylor has been stellar throwing the ball, already topping 1,000 yards and has an impressive 9-3 TD to INT ration. He's also been effective on the ground, running for 75 yards a game. This Tech offense comes in averaging 33 a game and should have no problem scoring on Wakes less-than-amazing defense.
To their credit, the Deacon defense did manage to keep both Navy and Georgia Tech under 400 total yards and 30 points in those close losses. And you have to hand it to Coach Grobe - he's searching for his play makers. Wake has nine (yes NINE) guys averaging double digits in rushing yards per game, and has three QB's that have attempted at least 20 passes.
As much as I'd like to see another thriller, this one goes the way of the Hokies.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 42, Wake Forest 17
North Carolina @ Virginia - 6:00 ESPN3.com
At first glance, the Tar Heels 3-2 doesn't seem too impressive. Take another look. After losing back to back heart breakers to a Top 25 LSU team and reigning ACC Champ Georgia Tech, they have gone on to win three in a row.
Not bad for a team missing half its' roster.
QB TJ Yates had a coming out party against LSU and hasn't slowed down since. He's second in the ACC in passing efficiency and is averaging 234 yards per game. Even more important is his TD to INT ratio of 8 to 1. That's light years different than the QB that threw 15 INTs and only 14 TD's in 2009. Completing his backfield is RB Jonny White. The Senior wasn't really heralded in preseason talks, barely mentioned behind Shaun Draughn and Ryan Houston. But White has made the best of his opportunity, averaging 81 yards a game, good for fifth in the conference.
They head out to take on a Virginia squad that's playing a lot better than many had projected. in Coach Londons first year, you can tell he's made his mark on this team. The Cavs aren't the pushovers they've been the last few years. On offense, QB Marc Verica is playing a level above where expected, throwing for 229 yards a game (fifth best in the ACC). They'll need him to be on against a tough Tar Heel secondary. What will be most interesting is the matchup between the Carolina passing game and this Cav passing defense. They are only giving up 151 yards through the air, and even limited USC stud QB Matt Barkley to barely 200 yards in their 17-14 loss.
In the end, I think the combo of a solid Carolina defense and strong running game makes the difference.
Prediction: North Carolina 24, Virginia 14
Until Sunday.....Deuces!
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Hope everyone enjoys this weekend's action. I'll be back on Sunday with complete ACC recap and ACColades.
- Harlon Jordan
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