ACC Fearless Predictions, Nov. 8

Previews and Predictions for the Week 11 ACC Games

ACC
Atlantic Boston Coll | Clemson | Florida St | Maryland | NC State | Wake Forest
Coastal Duke | Georgia Tech | Miami | North Carolina | Virginia | Virginia Tech ACC Fearless Predictions Aug. 30 | Sept. 6 | Sept. 13 | Sept. 20
- Sept. 27 | Oct. 4 | Oct. 11 | Oct. 18 | Oct. 25 | Nov. 1   

How are the picks so far? SU: 46-24 ... ATS: 23-33

- ACC Week 11 Predictions, Nov. 8, Part 2 (Va. vs. Wake)

ACC Game of the Week

Maryland (5-3) at Virginia Tech (5-3), 7:30 EST, ESPN, Thursday, November 6
Why to watch: In a league where all but two teams are in the hunt for a divisional title, every game will hold importance in November. While Maryland has taken over sole possession of first place in the Atlantic, Virginia Tech is clinging for dear life in the Coastal. The Hokies have lost consecutive games to Florida State and Boston College, and both of their primary quarterbacks in a freakishly bad day in Tallahassee. Starter Tyrod Taylor and backup Sean Glennon were in protective boots during the bye week, meaning little-used senior Cory Holt could be at the controls for this pivotal game. The Terrapins have won five of their last six since inexplicably losing to Middle Tennessee, but remain one of the country’s most unpredictable programs. Maryland has injury issues of its own on both sides of the ball, including RB Da’Rel Scott, LB Dave Philistin, and CB Kevin Barnes, so stability will continue to escape it.
Why Maryland might win: How is Virginia Tech going to generate any offense? Things were bad enough in Blacksburg for the nation’s 113^th-ranked offense before Taylor and Glennon got hurt. Now, the Hokies may have to give the ball to a player who’s spent most of the year playing wide receiver. And his backup during practice has been massive TE Greg Boone. Even if Taylor does play, a bad ankle will neutralize his dangerous athleticism outside the pocket. Maryland will be able to move linebackers Moise Fokou, Rick Costa, and Alex Wujciak up to the line of scrimmage, daring Holt to beat them with his arm.
Why Virginia Tech might win: The Hokies are still in contention in the ACC because the defense is playing well. Tech ranks 28^th overall, and is among the league leaders in sacks and turnover margin. With ends Orion Martin and Jason Worilds applying outside pressure, and linebackers Purnell Sturdivant and Brett Warren clogging running lanes, it’ll control the line of scrimmage and put QB Chris Turner in a position of having to do too much. If Scott is anything less than 100%, the job of moving the ball on the ground will belong to Davin Meggett, who’s talented, but he’s just a true freshman.
Who to watch: The one-on-one battle between Maryland WR Darrius Heyward-Bey and Tech CB Victor Harris will be one of the most entertaining games-within-the game of the entire weekend. Both are dynamic playmakers with next level skills and sizable egos. If Turner locks in on Heyward-Bey too much, Harris will pick his pocket and take his passes the other way.
What will happen: Had Virginia Tech not had a bye last week, getting Holt ready would have been a lot tougher. With time to prepare, however, the senior will be a capable game manager. Plus, it’s not as if he’ll be replacing one of the nation’s prolific passers, so the drop-off won’t be as steep as many expect. The Hokies will survive on the strength of the defense, three Dustin Keys field goals, and the Lane Stadium home crowd on a Thursday night.
CFN Prediction: Virginia Tech 26 … Maryland 20 ... Line: Virginia Tech -3
Must See Rating: (5 The Non-Stop Election Coverage – 1 The Non-Stop Election Analysis) … 3.5
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Saturday, November 8

Georgia Tech (7-2) at North Carolina (6-2), 12:00 EST
Why to watch: One week after falling out of first place, Georgia Tech is right back on top of the ACC Coastal. The Yellow Jackets held off a furious rally from Florida State, securing the game with a fumble recovery in the end zone with less than a minute left. Although Tech doesn’t control its own destiny, it’ll be hard to keep out of the December championship game if it can take the next two games against North Carolina and Miami. The Tar Heels come of their bye week knowing they have no margin for error in their quest to represent the division in Tampa. While it’s bowl-eligible for the first time since 2004, 19^th-ranked Carolina has its sights fixed on more than just a garden variety bowl game, especially after bombarding Boston College two weeks ago. If it can clear this hurdle, the rest of the schedule is not that daunting.
Why Georgia Tech might win: The Yellow Jackets have the top scoring defense in the conference, yet still doesn’t get the recognition they deserve. The defensive line is among the best in the country and linebackers Sedric Griffin and Kyle Jackson have helped solidify a corps that was supposed to be a concern. Solving this unit will be a major problem for a Carolina offense that ranks 88^th in the nation and has needed help from the defense and special teams all year. Tech will dominate at the point of attack, preventing RB Shaun Draughn from getting past the first line of defense.
Why North Carolina might win: Tech won’t be the only team in Chapel Hill with a solid front wall on defense. The Tar Heels are loaded with the likes of Marvin Austin, Tydreke Powell, and Aleric Mullins, who’ll do their part to keep the Jackets’ running game from getting out of the blocks. The Heels allow just 113 yards a game on the ground, and have had two weeks to prepare to defend the option. Plus, QB Josh Nesbitt left last week’s game with an injured foot, which could propel true freshman Jaybo Shaw into the starting lineup. Without a threat of a passing game, Deunta Williams and Trimane Goddard are the type of physical safeties that can crowd the line and pound RB Jonathan Dwyer.
Who to watch: After playing the best game of his career, Carolina QB Cam Sexton gets to face a banged-up, but very talented Georgia Tech secondary. He’ll have to know where No. 1, sophomore Morgan Burnett, is at all times. Burnett leads the country in picks and has outstanding range and athleticism. When he’s hooked up with Tar Heel WR Hakeem Nicks, it’ll be a critical battle that could decide the outcome of the game.
What will happen: Like so many ACC games this season, North Carolina and Georgia Tech will battle for 60 minutes in a tight, back-and-forth affair. The Tar Heels’ superior special teams unit will be the difference, producing the decisive points on a clutch Casey Barth field goal.
CFN Prediction: North Carolina 24 … Georgia Tech 17 ... Line: North Carolina -4.5
Must See Rating: (5 The Non-Stop Election Coverage – 1 The Non-Stop Election Analysis) … 4
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Clemson (4-4) at Florida State (6-2), 3:30 EST
Why to watch: This year’s Bowden Bowl will be half-empty or half-full, depending on the angle you take. For the first time in almost a decade, Bobby Bowden won’t be coaching against son Tommy, who was relieved of his duties last month. The ‘Noles will be more concerned about rebounding from an excruciating loss and staying in the ACC hunt than who’s on the other sideline. They were on the brink of an emotional comeback win over Georgia Tech Saturday when Marcus Sims fumbled as he approached the end zone. The Jackets pounced on the ball, sending Florida State back to Tallahassee with its first loss in over a month. On the flip side, Clemson enters the game on a rare high note, having upset Boston College to get back to the .500 mark. The Tigers showed plenty of resolve on the road, earning interim coach Dabo Swinney a Gatorade bath for his first victory and keeping the team alive for a postseason game.
Why Clemson might win: Despite getting no help from the pass rush, the Tigers continue to sport one of the ACC’s toughest defenses, especially against the pass. Seminole QB Christian Ponder will have trouble beating a veteran secondary that’s led by S Michael Hamlin and has allowed just four touchdown passes in the last six games. That’ll put the onus on a running game that hasn’t been the same since leading rusher Antone Smith injured his ribs. On offense, RB C.J. Spiller showed no ill effects from his hamstring injury, burning the Eagles for 242 all-purpose yards.
Why Florida State might win: Clemson may still have the playmakers, but it doesn’t have the points. In fact, in six games with FBS opponents, it’s averaging a measly 17 points a game and Cullen Harper remains a liability at quarterback. Things don’t get any easier against the Seminoles, who are No. 5 nationally in total defense and lead the ACC in both run D and pass D. Florida State’s speed in the front seven, particularly DE Everette Brown and LB Derek Nicholson will be too much for a struggling Tiger offensive line.
Who to watch: It’s taken nearly the entire season, but the Seminoles are finally getting WR Preston Parker more involved in the offensive gameplan. Largely an afterthought since coming back from a suspension, he had a season-high five receptions for 77 yards and a touchdown in last week’s game at Georgia Tech. Against that stingy Clemson secondary, the ‘Noles need someone other than Carr to make plays in the passing game. Parker is capable of being that guy.
What will happen: Fast and physical defenses have caused problems for Clemson all season long. That trend will continue in Tallahassee. The Seminoles will pressure Harper into mistakes and keep Spiller and James Davis from burning them with the big play. If Smith is a scratch at running back, true freshman Jermaine Thomas is proving he’s ready to shoulder some of the load.
CFN Prediction: Florida State 28 … Clemson 20 ... Line: Florida State -6.5
Must See Rating: (5 The Non-Stop Election Coverage – 1 The Non-Stop Election Analysis) … 3
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- ACC Week 11 Predictions, Nov. 8, Part 2 (Va. vs. Wake)