ACC Football Week 3 Preview: Boom or Bust Weekend?

There are eleven ranked teams that are on the road, but the ACC needs their upper-echelon teams to step their game up to restore order.

Florida State has the heavyweight battle with Oklahoma that may determine the BCS National Championship race and the Miami Hurricanes, in the midst of their albatross of a opening weekend with all the suspensions and the scandal, get the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Clemson has a rematch with Auburn in a matchup of Tigers, and the Maryland Terrapins must knock off West Virginia if they expect America to consider them as nationally relevant.

The ACC is just 2-7 all-time in the BCS, and last year the conference became a huge bust in the third week of September. Florida State was thumped by Oklahoma 47-17, and Miami let one slip away.

So, will there be deja-vu in the third weekend of September again? 

#21 Auburn at Clemson- Noon, ABC

Facts: Dabo Sweeney is an alumn of Auburn's much hated rival Alabama, playing from '89-'92 (WR/TE), and was later an assistant coach from '93-'00. Dabo had Clemson out in front 17-3 at halftime before Cam Newton stormed back for the 27-24 victory in overtime. Auburn has also defeated Clemson 14 straight times, with the last loss coming back in 1951.

Match-Up: Auburn D-Line vs Clemson O-Line

Auburn is two deep up front and they wreaked havoc on Mississippi State last weekend. Meanwhile, Clemson struggled against Wofford's triple option, but their line didn't do much better. Without a running game, Clemson has zero chance at pulling the upset (even though experts list them as favorites).  

X-Factor: Andre Ellington, Clemson

Tajh Boyd may be the obvious choice, but Andre Ellington is my pick to click. Auburn may have two better backs, but Ellington has the speed and power to break a few would-be tacklers. He is the bell cow for his Tigers and should also catch a few passes in the backfield.

Why Auburn can win: Clemson has allowed 218 yards per game (107th) against the run and the Tigers have two backs that could do some damage. Plus, Clemson has already allowed seven sacks this season (104th). Auburn has won ten consecutive games that have been decided by single digits and this game should come down to the wire. 

Why Clemson can win: Auburn's defense has been torched (112th total defense) through the air and it has been gashed against the run.

Experts Pick: Clemson By 3.5

Drama's Pick: CLEMSON 34, AUBURN 28

#18 West Virginia at Maryland- Noon, ESPNU

Facts: Maryland is 27-4 in non-conference home games since 1998. Randy Edsall went just 1-6 against West Virginia, though he did win last season 16-13 (OT). West Virginia has won six straight since '03 Gator Bowl. 

Match-Up: Cameron Chism against Tavon Austin

The Terps pass defense held up against Miami in the opener, and they come into this game with some extra rest and time to prepare for a high octane Mountaineers passing attack. West Virginia has not had a ton of success running the bacon, mainly because they are a pass-oriented team. If Maryland can get off the field on third downs and not allow the big plays, then they have a great shot at pulling off the upset. 

X-Factor: Joe Vellano, Maryland

Coming off a huge defensive touchdown in the opener, Vellano will have a large role in this game. He can plug up the run and can harass Geno Smith, which could lead to a few turnovers.

Why West Virginia can win: They own this series, and just because Dana Holgorsen has never coached in this series before does not mean jack. The Mountaineers are a legitimate top 20 team when they're clicking offensively 

Why Maryland can win: These Terps finished the season ranked, and yet people forgot all about them during the preseason. Danny O'Brien is the best pure passer in the ACC and has a ton of viable options to spin it to.

Experts Pick: Maryland By 1

Drama's Pick: MARYLAND 27, WEST VIRGINIA 24

#16 Ohio State @ Miami- 7:30, ESPN

Facts: This is a rematch from last season's 36-24 loss as well as one of the most exciting BCS National Championships of all-time. Ohio State has won the last two meetings, but Jacory Harris did throw four picks last season. 

Match-Up: Travis Benjamin vs Travis Howard

In the very first game of Benjamin's season, he is the key part in this passing game for Jacory Harris. The Buckeyes were able to apply pressure and made Harris pay the price last season. It was critical in deciding the outcome of the game.

X-Factor: Jacory Harris, Miami

Guess who? Harris is the easy pick for the x-factor since he literally changed the game last season. Miami was ready to cut the lead to two points but ended up throwing a pick that was returned for 80 yards. If Harris turns the ball over more than twice, it is nearly a lock that the Buckeyes come out victorious once again.

Why Ohio State can win: The Buckeyes owned the game at the line of scrimmage last season and things may not change much. Their offensive line is still good without Mike Adams, and the defensive line does not get worse with the suspension of Solomon Thomas. If Joe Basuerman gets a running game going, then he will be able to find his security blanket, Jake Stoneburner, early and often. 

Why Miami can win: The athleticism and speed matches up extremely well with the Buckeyes, but Lamar Miller must run for over 100 yards. I like those chances—he is an electric runner running behind a solid line. If Harris can buy some time with his feet and throw on the run without turning the ball over, then things will come down to the wire. Plus, defensively they will pin their ears back and bottle up the run.

Experts Pick: Miami By 1.5

Drama's Pick: MIAMI 31, OHIO STATE 21   

What Does This Weekend Mean for the ACC?

For somebody that has followed ACC football since the BCS started, it is vital for the ACC to come away with three victories if not a clean sweep at four.

The Atlantic Coast Conference has been a joke for several years since Miami has not played in a BCS Bowl since joining the ACC back in 2004.

Virginia Tech has carried this conference, but, after getting smoked by Stanford last season and even losing to Kansas back in 2008, the conference's reputation has been at an all-time low.

To be the best you must beat the best, and the conference has not done this for several years. Some of the blame is put on Florida State's lack of national relevancy since they are accustomed to stinking up the joint when everybody is watching. Can they rise to the occasion and actually win an important game for once?

The time is now or never for the 'Noles, because, if they lose to Oklahoma, they may never crack the top five for the rest of the season. It is not easy to say that you are a top five team, and, with the mediocre schedule the 'Noles have, it might be tough to pass several BCS teams that have nearly the same record.

Lastly, Miami has done squat, like I stated earlier, but they will be on the way up in my opinion thanks to Al Golden.

It starts by winning eight or nine games this season and knocking off a nationally ranked Ohio State in your own backyard on national television. Virginia Tech and Florida State should be decent sized favorites when they play Miami, so this is a huge test for the 'Canes.

Another reason why this is a vital weekend for the ACC is because all four teams are at HOME!

Judgement day awaits!

#1 Oklahoma at #5 Florida State- 8:00, ABC

Facts: Oklahoma's last nine losses have all been either on the road or at neutral stadiums. Florida State is 10-12 all-time in front of College Gameday. Oklahoma is 17-8 all-time. The 'Noles, however, have only had one of these games since the 2007 season, whereas Oklahoma has had nine. 

Oklahoma dominated last season 47-17 by scoring touchdowns on their first four possessions. Florida State's EJ Manuel threw a touchdown pass on the final play of the game last season, so the score did not truly indicate how dominating of a performance it was. FSU is also just 5-12 in its last 17 games against top ten squads. Losing to Oklahoma by 30 and Florida by 27 does not make things any easier.

Match-Up: Ryan Broyles, Kenny Stills and Trey Franks against Greg Reid, Michael Harris and Xavier Rhodes

The Sooners and Seminoles have arguably the most exciting matchup we may witness all season long. There are future pros all over the field and the young talent will be amazing to watch. It should truly be a blessing to watch these two great programs compete with such superstar talent. Whoever gets an edge here will probably win the ball game. 

X-Factor: Brandon Jenkins, Florida State

How does one put a stop to Landry Jones and the high-powered Boomer Sooner offense? Throw in some pressure and even more pressure. There are a bevy of options that I could choose as my x-factor for the game, but the Seminoles have no chance to win this game if they cannot force Jones into making a few errant throws. That will only happen if the front four can put pressure and interrupt the rhythm that Jones has with his receivers. 

Why Oklahoma can win: They are the top ranked team in America for a reason. They are balanced, with an underrated ground game that features a former walk-on in Dominique Whaley, and their playmakers down the field are incredible at getting yards after the catch. Their quick-paced tempo offensively has not been stopped because they never seem to turn the ball over. The defense is extremely quick with a ball-hawking secondary that can lay the lumber. They are a scary-good team that many expect to win the BCS National Championship. 

Why Florida State can win: They may be the only team on Oklahoma's schedule that could hold the Sooners under 35 points. FSU has arguably the best defensive line in the nation and one of the more athletic secondaries as well. If there are a group of defensive backs who can cover the Sooners, it is this loaded group in Tallahassee. Special teams is what could determine this game as PK Dustin Hopkins, P Shaun Powell and PR/KR Greg Reid must have the game of their lives. 

Experts Pick: Oklahoma By 3

Drama's Pick: FLORIDA STATE 30, OKLAHOMA 28