Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Showdown in Blacksburg

Wow! 5-1 last week and 11-1 the last 2 weeks… Time to head to Vegas.

This week the ACC finally has a spotlight game worthy of national attention. For all those ACC naysayers, the BC – Va Tech game is between two top-ten teams and it definitely has BCS implications. As for the rest of this weeks schedule… thank goodness for ESPNU.


Thursday, Oct 25

7:30 PM

Boston College @ Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Va.
TV: ESPN
Livestats
ACC ISP Sports Radio Network
Regular season ACC games don’t get any bigger than this one. BC has been on a roll, but to be honest, they weren’t quite as impressive during their stretch of non-conference games as I thought they would be. With the exception of the Duke game, Va Tech’s offense has not been that great, but with their special teams and defense, who needs much of an offense. Will Matt Ryan have a signature game in prime time, or will the Hokie defense and special teams make another statement? Frank Beamer’s teams have a knack for coming up big special teams plays in big games. VT 27-24


Saturday, Oct 27

12:00 PM

North Carolina @ Wake Forest
Winston-Salem, N.C.
TV: R/LF
GameTracker
Apparently it’s been “high times” in Chapel Hill. Unfortunately for the Heels, they’ll be missing two starters as a result. Wake’s offense has been getting on track of late, but I’m not sold on their defense, especially against Carolina’s big-play offense. Carolina will need to play ball control against the Deacs to keep their defense from getting worn down. This game will be played on the 28th anniversary of Wake’s 42-38 come from behind win against Auburn. Look for the Deacs to keep on rolling to a share of first place in the Atlantic Division. WFU 31-17


3:30 PM

Clemson @ Maryland
College Park, Md.
TV: ABC
GameTracker
With two losses a piece, the loser is all but out of the Atlantic Division race. In games against Wake and UVa, Maryland suffered two of the most gut-wrenching losses in recent memory. Keep in mind the Terps followed up their overtime loss at Wake Forest with their stunning upset of Rutgers. Since the FSU game, the Tigers have had a knack for disappearing in big games… then again, was the FSU game really a big game? On paper, Clemson’s offense is just too much for Maryland, so I think the Tigers can overcome the Tommy Bowden coaching factor. Clemson 28-10


4:30 PM

Virginia @ NC State
Raleigh, N.C.
TV: ESPNU
Livestats
Does NC State extend it’s winning streak to two in a row, or does UVa keep up their improbable run toward the Coastal Division crown? NC State played their best game of the year last week with the defensive line finally taking control of the line of scrimmage. Maybe the week off finally got rid of all of the bad Chuck Amato karma. Daniel Evans had the best game of his career against ECU, but the offensive line will need to collectively have the best games of their careers to keep the likes of defensive end Chris Long from taking control for the game. Over the last few weeks, I haven’t been sure how the ‘Hoos have kept on winning… the luck has to run out sooner or later… maybe this will be the week. Look for the Pack to keep their bowl chances alive. NC State 24-20


8:00 PM

Duke @ Florida State
Tallahassee, Fla.
TV: ESPNU
GameTracker
Man for man, there is no question that FSU has superior talent… Unfortunately for the ‘Noles, it’s what you do with the talent, not how much you have. The revolving door at QB continues for FSU as Drew Weatherford replaces Xavier Lee. Let me get this right, FSU’s offense sucked because of Jeff Bowden. The replaced Bowden with Jimbo Fisher, and they still suck… Duke’s offense has been clicking, but their defense in woefully undermanned. This one should be a shootout… assuming FSU’s offense can get out of their own way. Look for the trademark FSU defensive boneheaded mistakes not to matter as the ‘Noles outscore the Blue Devils. FSU 42-30

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