Let’s look around the ACC and make some predictions about this weekend’s game (minus our game against Pitt, let’s save that discussion for tomorrow). The point of offering my predictions is only to generate some discussion for our readers as we apologize for being too busy to keep the front page dynamic this week. I personally don’t gamble on sports. As to my ability to accurately predict spreads, a friend of mine used to ask me what I thought on certain games and then take the opposite team. He fared well using that strategy even though I consider myself a knowledgeable sports fan. Of course, my excuse is that he was betting on NBA basketball. Who watches NBA basketball?
Here is how the weekend looks:
-UNC (+2.5) @ GT (noon kickoff)
Are teams figuring out PJ’s offense?
Johnson uses the results against Clemson, which Tech defeated 30-27, compared to what happened to Boston College a week later, to illustrate.
“I don’t know if anybody caught the Boston College-Clemson game,” the coach asked. “How many first downs did they [BC] make? Four. They had 50 yards of total offense. We had 418 yards and there’s something wrong with us.”
That hardly mean that Johnson or his team are satisfied. Center Sean Bedford was so disappointed after the 33-17 loss to Miami that he apologized to the Yellow Jackets’ following for the way the offense has performed.
The biggest difference between the offense last year and this year is this year there have been fewer big plays (runs or passes of 20 yards or more). Last year through three games, the Jackets had 13 rushing plays and six plays covering that distance.
Prediction: UNC covers, wins, and climbs in the polls.
-South Florida (+14) @ Florida St (noon kickoff)
Prediction: Matte Groeth, who torched us last year in Carter Finley, is out for the season. Florida State continues to look good and rolls covering the 14 pts.
-Wake (-2.5) @ Boston College (2:00 pm kickoff)
Unfortunately for BC, none of the offensive line’s blocking schemes seem to be working, and that does not bode well for the immediate future of this young team. Aside from the five offensive line starters, eight of the remaining 17 starters are either freshmen or sophomores. In addition, 10 of those 17 starters outside of the linemen had no regular starting experience before this season.
The bottom line is that the offensive line is BC’s most experienced group, and that group is letting the team down. As the younger players get their feet wet, the Eagles need to count on their line to carry them through the first half of the season. If not, BC could be looking at its first losing record since 1998.
Prediction: This is a pivotal matchup in the Heights. Last week, BC’s offense gained 54 yards of total offense against Clemson. Wake’s defense was decimated by graduation losing numerous great players to the NFL. In the end, superior quarterback play will win this game for Wake Forest (and cover the spread) against whoever may start for BC this week at QB
-Miami (-1.5) @ VT (3:30 pm kickoff)
Prediction: Obviously a huge game as the national media has jumped back on the Miami bandwagon. VT and points in Blacksburg against an ACC opponent that we beat the last two years? On principle, I will take VT and the points.
-TCU (+3) @ Clemson (3:30 pm kickoff)
Prediction: I was impressed by Clemson’s play at GT. I know TCU is a strong team, but this is still in Death Valley. Let’s go with Clemson because I like their coach’s first name – “Dabo “.
-Rutgers(-3) @ Maryland (3:30 pm kickoff)
Prediction: The Fridge is in trouble. Can they really be this bad after losses to Cal and Middle Tennessee St and almost losing James Madison? Take the underdog at home. Fridge pulls a big win out.
-NC Central @ Duke
Prediction: Who cares?
