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Virginia (1-2) at Duke (2-1),
12:00 EST, ESPNU
Why to watch: If there
were any doubts whether David
Cutcliffe would have an impact
at Duke in his first go-round,
they’ve already been dismissed.
Beyond just the first 2-1 start
since 2003, the Blue Devils are
playing with more confidence and
far better fundamentals. The
next order of business is to
snap that 25-game losing streak
in ACC games. A visit from
struggling Virginia presents a
golden opportunity to finally
end the futility. Not much was
expected from Virginia this
season. Not much is exactly what
the program appears capable of
producing. The Cavaliers weren’t
competitive in losses to USC and
Connecticut, and barely escaped
the Richmond Spiders with their
dignity. Now, the program’s
quarterback of the future, Peter
Lalich, has been dismissed from
the program.
Why Virginia might win:
This is still Duke football,
where futility has become an
annual happening. The defense
ranks 11th in the ACC
against the run, getting exposed
by James Madison and Navy. The
Cavaliers will turn to two of
their brightest offensive
players, backs Mikel Simpson and
Cedric Peerman. While neither
has been able to break out in
September, a visit to Wallace
Wade Stadium could be the
perfect antidote for getting the
running game untracked.
Why Duke might win: You
can usually count on Al Groh’s
teams to be stingy on defense.
Not this year. It’s one thing to
get spanked by USC, but when
Connecticut also administers a
beating, you know it’s going to
be a long year. Virginia is
pulling up the rear of the ACC
in most defensive categories,
which the Blue Devils will
exploit with an improving
offense. QB Thaddeus Lewis has
clearly benefited from the
hiring of Cutcliffe, opening the
year with six total touchdowns
and no turnovers. In senior Eron
Riley and freshman Johnny
Williams, he’s got two quality
targets who can beat the Cavs on
intermediate and deep routes.
Who to watch: For the
first time in years, the Blue
Devils are showing a pulse in
the running game. Much of the
credit goes to Clifford Harris,
who’s been largely anonymous in
his first three seasons in
Durham. He’s filled a void since
Re’Quan Boyette’s knee surgery,
giving opposing defenses a
reason to pay attention to
someone other than Lewis and the
receivers.
What will happen: Duke
has never been more ready than
now to break that nasty losing
streak in ACC games. The Blue
Devils will pounce on the
opportunity to get to 3-1,
getting three touchdowns from
Lewis and celebrating on the
field with hundreds of students
who’ll rush the field when the
clock runs out.
CFN Prediction: Duke 27 …
Virginia 17 ... Line: Duke -6.5
Must See Rating: (5
Debate No. 1 - 1 The 2008
Primetime Emmys) … 2
-
Click here to receive ATS
Consultants FREE selections
North Carolina (2-1) at Miami
(2-1),
12:00 EST
Why to watch: In the
wide-open ACC Coastal division,
this game will go a long to
determining who’s in the race
and who’s facing an uphill
climb. That’s especially true
for North Carolina, which lost a
tough three-point game to
Virginia Tech and can ill-afford
an 0-2 start in league play. The
Tar Heels have also lost
starting QB T.J. Yates to a
broken ankle, meaning the
offense will be in the hands of
Mike Paulus and Cam Sexton.
After securing so much goodwill
with a nationally-televised rout
of Rutgers, the program is in
danger of sliding back to the
.500 mark. Miami, on the other
hand, is riding high after
pummeling Texas A&M on the road,
41-23. It was one of the best
efforts for the ‘Canes under
Randy Shannon, and the type of
win that can propel the young
team into ACC contention. The
visit from Carolina is the start
of a rugged three-game homestand
that will define how far Miami
is capable of reaching this
season.
Why North Carolina might win:
With the uncertainty on offense,
the Heels will lean even harder
on a young defense that’s
playing well in September. Led
by an instinctive set of
linebackers and a ball-hawking
secondary, Carolina has allowed
just 32 points to Rutgers and
Virginia Tech, and has five more
picks than touchdown passes
allowed. Linebackers Mark
Paschal and Quan Sturdivant have
been particularly stout in run
defense, helping hold the Hokies
to a three-yard average
Saturday. If Miami freshman QB
Robert Marve gets rattled, he’ll
get his pocket picked by
safeties Deunta Williams and
Trimane Goddard.
Why Miami might win: If
the Hurricanes can keep special
teams ace Brandon Tate from
changing the complexion of the
game, the defense will hold a
sizable edge over the Tar Heel
offense. Neither Paulus nor
Sexton can be counted on to move
the ball consistently through
the air, putting pressure on RB
Greg Little to be the catalyst
on offense. He’s good, but he’ll
be hemmed in by an athletic
Miami front seven that gets to
the ball very quickly and can
intimidate an inexperienced
quarterback.
Who to watch: The Miami
defense has gotten a boost from
the return of DE Allen Bailey,
who was virtually unblockable in
the spring. A superb blend of
size, speed, and strength, he
gives the ‘Canes a ferocious
pass rusher who can whip the
Carolina tackles. He’s made
plays behind the line in each of
the last two games, and is
poised for a breakthrough
performance on Saturday.
What will happen: While
the Tar Heels remain on the
right path, they’re not going
down to South Florida and
beating Miami with a backup
quarterback calling signals. The
‘Canes will suffocate the
short-handed Carolina offense,
while getting another 100-yard
day from RB Graig Cooper.
CFN Prediction: Miami 27 …
North Carolina 14 ... Line:
Miaimi -7.5
Must See Rating: (5
Debate No. 1 - 1 The 2008
Primetime Emmys) … 3
-
Click here to receive ATS
Consultants FREE selections
Rhode Island (1-3) at Boston
College (2-1),
1:00 EST
Why to watch: Boston
College came out of its first
bye week healthy and focused on
getting back on track, racing
past UCF, 34-7. While the Eagles
remain an unfinished product on
offense, the defense has been
outstanding for a second
straight season. Whatever is
ailing the offensive attack
needs to be addressed against
Rhode Island because the rest of
the schedule does not provide
any more sparring partners. The
Rams have dropped three games
in-a-row after opening the
season with a three-point win
over Monmouth. They like to air
it out on offense with QB Derek
Cassidy, who threw 61 passes in
a loss to New Hampshire and has
already thrown for more than
1,110 yards.
Why Rhode Island might win:
Boston College’s win over UCF
was a little deceptive. Yeah,
the Eagles pulled away in the
second half, but the offense
continues to struggle, producing
just a field goal in the first
two quarters. Chris Crane has
thrown just two touchdowns to
five interceptions, and the
running game has lacked
consistency. If BC continues to
sputter on offense, Cassidy and
his wave of veteran receivers
will keep the Rams from falling
far behind.
Why Boston College might win:
Everyone knew the Eagle defense
was going to be solid this year,
but it’s actually exceeding
expectations. Through the first
three games, Boston College has
allowed just 26 points and leads
the country in pass efficiency
defense. The young secondary has
picked off six passes without
yielding a touchdown pass. Rhode
Island won’t be able to move the
ball through the air, which will
end any though of a monumental
upset.
Who to watch: It’s taken
a few weeks, but Boston College
looks to have found a back it
can build the running game
around. In the first extensive
action of his career, true
freshman Montel Harris bust
loose for 112 yards on only 13
carries in last week’s victory.
With Josh Haden resting a sore
ankle, Harris seized the
opportunity, earning more reps
even after the starter gets back
in the lineup.
What will happen: Boston
College will roll early and
often, emptying the bench in the
third quarter and getting
valuable reps for
second-stringer Dominique Davis,
the quarterback of the future.
The shutout will be its second
of the season, improving the
Eagles already stellar defensive
numbers.
CFN Prediction: Boston
College 41 … Rhode Island 0 ...
Line: No Line
Must See Rating: (5
Debate No. 1 - 1 The 2008
Primetime Emmys) … 1
-
Click here to receive ATS
Consultants FREE selections
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ACC Week
Five Predictions, Part 2 |