Hey guys....
Just my 2 cents on the 7 ACC games this week.
Maryland v. West Va. (-10) 43.5
Both teams are 2-0 and both are lucky to be there. They each found a way to sneak by their previous opponents. At first glance, I thought the line seemed a bit high, but after thinking about it, it's right on the money. I see this game being pretty tight for the most part but WVU could easily score a late TD to cover the number....and that's what I'd bet on. I don't see any way Maryland shows up and dominates WVU. I see a low-scoring slugfest with WVU winning by 13 or 14 points. Predicted final: WVU 24 - Maryland 10
Georgia Tech v. North Carolina (-2) 50.5
Two things I see as an advantage for the Tarheels....One, it's GT's second straight road game and two, UNC has had 2 weeks to prepare for the this game. That being said, this game is always one that the Tarheels seem to struggle with. Shaun Draughn will be back in the UNC lineup taking carries....and apparently has looked very motivated in practice. That will be sorely needed because TJ Yates cannot be leaned on to throw for 400+ yards ever again. With Georgia Tech really laying an egg last week in Kansas, they are sure to be motivated to play well. I mentioned in an earlier post that I think GT is the play if there is a play in this game, but I'm starting to reconsider based on some of the things I've listed above. This game is definitely going to be tight, and will turn on who makes the fewest mistakes. Predicted final: UNC 30 - GT 27
East Carolina v. Virginia Tech (-19.5) 60
Amazing that Va Tech is coming into this game at 0-2. Losing to James Madison isn't something anyone could see coming. This will also be ECU's first trip into hostile territory for the year. ECU has shown it's ability to score points frequently...but against lackluster defenses. Va Tech is going to put the clamps on ECU this week and take the pirates to the woodshed. Predicted final: Va Tech 38 - ECU 13
Alabama (-23.5) v. Duke 57.5
This will be an interesting matchup for these two teams. Duke has been a team in the ACC that seems to take baby steps every year to being better. Obviously, Bama is Bama. They're much deeper and much more talented. I think the key here is the look-ahead factor. Alabama has Arkansas, Florida, and South Carolina in the coming weeks...all 3 ranked and tough SEC competition. I think that Alabama keeps things simple in this game to not give too much away and wins the game but doesn't cover the number. Duke's offense is decent enough to hold their own in this game. Predicted final: Alabama 41 - Duke 24
BYU v. Florida St. (-10) 60
This will be BYU's second game on the road in a row. Last week they travelled to Air Force and got handled easily. This week won't be any different. FSU will put up enough points to cover the number comfortably. I know that FSU looked really bad against Oklahoma last week, but coming home for this game is just the thing the Noles need to get some confidence back. The heat and the hostile environment will doom BYU here. Predicted final: FSU 37 - BYU 17
Clemson v. Auburn (-7) 54.5
This is an interesting matchup. Both teams have ranked conference opponents next week and both teams rely pretty heavily on the QB. Clemson losing CJ Spiller has been a big blow for them....but having Kyle Parker is an asset. Auburn's Cameron Newton leads his team in both passing and rushing. To me, this becomes a game of who wants it more and who's going to be more fired up. My gut tells me that Clemson will come in and play with fire and upset Auburn in this spot. This is Clemson's first real test after taking care of 2 cupcakes....and Auburn just didn't impress me by scraping by Miss St. Predicted final: Clemson 23 - Auburn 20
Wake Forest @ Stanford (-17.5) 60
This game will get ugly. Stanford is going to handle Wake easily. They are better on both sides of the ball and travelling cross country won't be pleasant for the Deacs. Stanford will pay the Deac's back for the loss they handed them a year ago. Predicted final: Stanford 37 - Wake 13
Again....just my 2 cents. Good luck guys!!!
Just my 2 cents on the 7 ACC games this week.
Maryland v. West Va. (-10) 43.5
Both teams are 2-0 and both are lucky to be there. They each found a way to sneak by their previous opponents. At first glance, I thought the line seemed a bit high, but after thinking about it, it's right on the money. I see this game being pretty tight for the most part but WVU could easily score a late TD to cover the number....and that's what I'd bet on. I don't see any way Maryland shows up and dominates WVU. I see a low-scoring slugfest with WVU winning by 13 or 14 points. Predicted final: WVU 24 - Maryland 10
Georgia Tech v. North Carolina (-2) 50.5
Two things I see as an advantage for the Tarheels....One, it's GT's second straight road game and two, UNC has had 2 weeks to prepare for the this game. That being said, this game is always one that the Tarheels seem to struggle with. Shaun Draughn will be back in the UNC lineup taking carries....and apparently has looked very motivated in practice. That will be sorely needed because TJ Yates cannot be leaned on to throw for 400+ yards ever again. With Georgia Tech really laying an egg last week in Kansas, they are sure to be motivated to play well. I mentioned in an earlier post that I think GT is the play if there is a play in this game, but I'm starting to reconsider based on some of the things I've listed above. This game is definitely going to be tight, and will turn on who makes the fewest mistakes. Predicted final: UNC 30 - GT 27
East Carolina v. Virginia Tech (-19.5) 60
Amazing that Va Tech is coming into this game at 0-2. Losing to James Madison isn't something anyone could see coming. This will also be ECU's first trip into hostile territory for the year. ECU has shown it's ability to score points frequently...but against lackluster defenses. Va Tech is going to put the clamps on ECU this week and take the pirates to the woodshed. Predicted final: Va Tech 38 - ECU 13
Alabama (-23.5) v. Duke 57.5
This will be an interesting matchup for these two teams. Duke has been a team in the ACC that seems to take baby steps every year to being better. Obviously, Bama is Bama. They're much deeper and much more talented. I think the key here is the look-ahead factor. Alabama has Arkansas, Florida, and South Carolina in the coming weeks...all 3 ranked and tough SEC competition. I think that Alabama keeps things simple in this game to not give too much away and wins the game but doesn't cover the number. Duke's offense is decent enough to hold their own in this game. Predicted final: Alabama 41 - Duke 24
BYU v. Florida St. (-10) 60
This will be BYU's second game on the road in a row. Last week they travelled to Air Force and got handled easily. This week won't be any different. FSU will put up enough points to cover the number comfortably. I know that FSU looked really bad against Oklahoma last week, but coming home for this game is just the thing the Noles need to get some confidence back. The heat and the hostile environment will doom BYU here. Predicted final: FSU 37 - BYU 17
Clemson v. Auburn (-7) 54.5
This is an interesting matchup. Both teams have ranked conference opponents next week and both teams rely pretty heavily on the QB. Clemson losing CJ Spiller has been a big blow for them....but having Kyle Parker is an asset. Auburn's Cameron Newton leads his team in both passing and rushing. To me, this becomes a game of who wants it more and who's going to be more fired up. My gut tells me that Clemson will come in and play with fire and upset Auburn in this spot. This is Clemson's first real test after taking care of 2 cupcakes....and Auburn just didn't impress me by scraping by Miss St. Predicted final: Clemson 23 - Auburn 20
Wake Forest @ Stanford (-17.5) 60
This game will get ugly. Stanford is going to handle Wake easily. They are better on both sides of the ball and travelling cross country won't be pleasant for the Deacs. Stanford will pay the Deac's back for the loss they handed them a year ago. Predicted final: Stanford 37 - Wake 13
Again....just my 2 cents. Good luck guys!!!
