2012 Fearless Predictions
ACC
Week 1 - Part 1
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Fearless Predictions
- Georgia Tech at Virginia Tech
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- NC State vs. Tennessee
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Miami (0-0) at Boston College (0-0) Sept. 1, 3:30, ESPN2
Here’s The Deal: Miami begins its second year of rebuilding under Al Golden, still uncertain about possible sanctions that’ll be meted out following an NCAA investigation. And still lagging behind those ACC programs expecting to contend for a conference title in 2012. The Hurricanes took a bunch of hits from graduation and early departures, a situation exacerbated by the summer dismissal of starting S Ray-Ray Armstrong. The ‘Canes are a middling ACC program right now, though Golden remains resolute about gradually building his team back to a position of prominence.
Boston College would settle for mediocre these days. The Eagles sunk to 4-8 a year ago, missing out on the postseason for the first time since 1998. Fourth-year head coach Frank Spaziani will begin the year under a whole heap of scrutiny, especially now that AD—and supporter—Gene DeFilippo has announced he’ll be stepping down at the end of September. BC will be facing Miami in rare back-to-back games, having beaten the Hurricanes in final for both schools last Nov. 25.
Why Miami Might Win: It won’t take an abundance of points for the ‘Canes to outscore Boston College, which has had an ongoing problem reaching the end zone. Miami’s strength on offense will be running the ball behind a big and physical Brandon Linder-led line. The team’s primary backs, Mike James and Eduard Clements, can move a pile in short yardage, especially now that Eagles tackling machine Luke Kuechly is the property of the Carolina Panthers. BC is also light on proven pass rushers, which will afford QB Stephen Morris the time he needs to hook up with favorite target Allen Hurns.
Why Boston College Might Win: Until Miami proves that it’s solved its problems at defensive tackle, the defense is going to be susceptible to north-south running teams. Fortunate for the Eagles, which parted with Montel Harris and are awaiting word on injured starter Rolandan Finch, they are deep in the backfield. If pressed into an expanded role, Andre Williams and Tajh Kimble have proven to be capable feature backs in the past. Even without Kuechly, who does leave a gaping hole, Boston College will be strong up the middle on defense. Kaleb Ramsey and Dillon Quinn form a stout duo at tackle, and returning linebackers Kevin Pierre-Louis, Sean Duggan and Steele Divitto are poised to step out of the shadows and into the spotlight.
What To Watch Out For: Progress on the Heights will be measured by the gains made at quarterback by third-year starter Chase Rettig. The junior has yet to reach a new plateau as a passer, and will not have pass-catching TE Chris Pantale for this game and beyond. It’ll be up to Colin Larmond and the rest of the Boston College wide receivers to get separation on a Miami secondary breaking in two new starters now that Armstrong is finishing his career at Faulkner University of the NAIA. This will be the first opportunity to see if Doug Martin’s up-tempo approach to the offense is going to be successful in Chestnut Hill.
What Will Happen: The opener will be a toss-up between two programs eagerly searching for solid ground. A win here will lift spirits. A loss will cause nagging doubts to resurface. Neither team will have a ton of success on offense, putting the placekickers in a position to shine. Miami’s Jake Wieclaw doesn’t have a huge leg, relying instead on his accuracy and experience. He’ll boot three field goals, helping provide the difference in a lethargic Hurricanes victory.
CFN Prediction: Miami 23 … Boston College 17
ATS Consultants Line (Click for more lines and picks) Miami -1; O/U: 44
Must Watch Rating (5 – Boss, 1 - Married To Jonas): 3
Elon (0-0) at North Carolina (0-0) Sept. 1, 12:30, ACC Network
Here’s The Deal: With no hope for the postseason, NCAA-sanctioned North Carolina will spend 2012 adapting to head coach Larry Fedora’s new philosophies, and prepping for the future. The old regime left behind a lot of talent on both sides of the line, so it’ll be up to the successors to maintain the team’s focus by preaching a big-picture, long-term message in Chapel Hill. With seven starters back on each side of the ball, Elon is banking on climbing the Southern Conference ladder. The Phoenix went 5-6 a year ago, including a 45-14 loss to Vanderbilt in the opener.
Why Elon Might Win: Back together for one final season is the pitch-and-catch combo of Thomas Wilson to Aaron Mellette, which produced 113 receptions and a dozen touchdowns in 2011. Mellette is a 6-4, 212-pound pass-catcher attracting a lot of attention from pro scouts. He’ll be facing a Carolina secondary that’s the weakest link of the secondary.
Why North Carolina Might Win: The NCAA can keep the Heels out of the postseason, but it will do nothing to slow down the offense. Carolina is perfectly balanced, with QB Bryn Renner and RB Giovani Bernard working behind one of the ACC’s better offensive lines. Elon is ill-equipped to slow down an attack with this much versatility and so many polished weapons.
What To Watch Out For: Overall depth will be one of Carolina’s biggest concerns this fall, which is why the team would love to build a comfortable lead as quickly as possible. The starting lineup will be flush with veterans, but the B team is dotted with wide-eyed kids. If the staff can dole out the reps before next week’s trip to Winston-Salem, it’ll go down as a double-victory.
What Will Happen: The Tar Heels will have few problems picking up their first win of the Fedora era. Against lesser competition, the offense will be in mid-season form, cranking out more than 500 yards before emptying the bench. Mellette will help his own cause in front of NFL scouts, but it’ll have little impact on the final score.
CFN Prediction: North Carolina 45 … Elon 13
ATS Consultants Line (Click for more lines and picks) No Line; O/U: No Line
Must Watch Rating (5 – Boss, 1 - Married To Jonas): 1.5
Richmond (0-0) at Virginia (0-0)
Sept. 1, 3:00
Here’s The Deal: Richmond and Virginia are set to write the next chapter of an in-state rivalry that began more than a century ago. The two programs are separated by an hour road trip, and occasionally recruit the same players. The Cavaliers are one of the ACC’s rising programs under Mike London, who won an FCS National Championship with the Spiders in 2008. However, matching last year’s eight wins with a young team will be a challenge for London and his staff. Richmond just wasn’t its usual self in 2011, finishing on an eight-game losing streak. The team is now being led by Danny Rocco, whose nephew Michael Rocco is a Cavaliers quarterback.
Why Richmond Might Win: The Spiders feature one star on each side of the ball, who’ll be counted on to elevate their young teammates surrounding them. On offense, 6-1, 238-pound FB Kendall Gaskins will be employed to soften a rebuilding Virginia front wall. The defense is led by LB Darius McMillan, whose 133 tackles were testament to his range and closing speed.
Why Virginia Might Win: The Cavs are happiest when they can run the ball downhill. They’ll be giddy on Saturday afternoon. The offense essentially features a pair of starting-caliber backs, Perry Jones and Kevin Parks, who are effective as runners and receivers. They’ll see lots of daylight operating behind a terrific line bolstered by next-level tackles Oday Aboushi and Morgan Moses.
What To Watch Out For: London suddenly has what coaches refer to as a good problem. Quarterback play was shaky, to say the least, a year. But now that Rocco and David Watford are a year older and Alabama transfer Phillip Sims is immediately eligible, the Cavs have an abundance of options behind center. With all of the competition, the program can’t help but be crisper at the position.
What Will Happen: There was a day not long ago when the gap between Virginia and Richmond was extremely narrow. That day has passed. The Cavs, despite their need for a greater level of overall efficiency, have widened the divide on their cross-state visitors. They’ll roll on the ground, getting more than 200 yards from Jones and Parks, leaving the quarterbacks to play-action their way to a couple of long connections to WR Tim Smith.
CFN Prediction: Virginia 35 … Richmond 14
ATS Consultants Line (Click for more lines and picks) No Line; O/U: No Line
Must Watch Rating (5 – Boss, 1 - Married To Jonas): 1.5
William & Mary (0-0) at Maryland (0-0)
Sept. 1, 3:00, ESPN3
Here’s The Deal: Just when it looked as if Maryland’s Randy Edsall’s task couldn’t get much tougher, he loses starting quarterback C.J. Brown for the year to an ACL injury on Aug. 14. Uggh. After debuting at 2-10, the coach is eyeing 2012 as a much-needed chance to get back on track, while bolstering his tenuous job security in College Park. William & Mary is fresh off an unusually tough year, slipping below .500 for the first time since 2007. The Tribe wants to use the opener as a proving ground before attempting to climb out of the middle of the Colonial Athletic Association pack.
Why William & Mary Might Win: Head coach Jimmye Laycock has plenty of concerns, but defense is not one of them. He’s loaded on that side of the ball, led by elite CB B.W. Webb, S Brian Thompson and linebackers Jabrel Mines and Dante Cook. The new Maryland quarterback, likely true freshman Perry Hills, will be tested in the first game of his career.
Why Maryland Might Win: The offense will be a crapshoot all year, but the Terps D will quietly be among the most talented in the ACC. Sure, it could be on the field plenty, but with DE Joe Vellano and linebackers Kenny Tate and Demetrius Hartsfield occupying the front seven, the defense will be up to the challenge. William & Mary produced a field goal in last year’s opener with Virginia, and still lacks the playmakers to put a dent in an ACC defense.
What To Watch Out For: To be sure, the Maryland offense will be a work-in-progress all season. However, the future is looking up. Not only will a rookie be under center, but the Terps are also eager to begin unveiling the gems from Edsall’s latest recruiting class, WR Stefon Diggs and backs Wes Brown and Albert Reid. It’s small consolation in September, but this attack should improve as the year unfolds.
What Will Happen: In one of the sloppier games of the opening weekend, both teams will fail to extend drives or put up points. The defenses will dominate, and the punters will need a good post-game rubdown. An underrated Maryland D, coupled with a blue-collar effort from the backs, will help the Terps escape with a hard-fought and much-needed victory.
CFN Prediction: Maryland 20 … William & Mary 16
ATS Consultants Line (Click for more lines and picks) No Line; O/U: No Line
Must Watch Rating (5 – Boss, 1 - Married To Jonas): 1