ACC Fearless Predictions, Nov. 15

The Big East title will be on the line, er, uh, oh yeah, the ACC Coastal Division will be on display tonight as the former Big East superpowers collide. Can Virginia Tech's Darren Evans run like he did against Maryland? Is Javarris James back? Check out the Previews and Predictions for the Week 12 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 | Nov. 8   

How are the picks so far? SU: 50-26 ... ATS: 27-35

- ACC Week 12 Predictions, Nov. 15, Part 2 (FSU vs. BC)

ACC Game of the Week

Virginia Tech (6-3) at Miami (6-3), 7:30 EST, ESPN
Why to watch: With identical overall and conference records, Virginia Tech and Miami will be squaring off Thursday night to remain alive in a Coastal Division still searching for a clear-cut front-runner. The Hokies persevered through an assortment of quarterback injuries last week to get past Maryland, 23-13. Rookie RB Darren Evans made life easier for the stumbling offense and gimpy QB Sean Glennon, breaking loose for a school-record 253 yards and a touchdown on 32 carries. For the ‘Canes, this is a pivotal game in their rebuilding plan, and the biggest test in Randy Shannon’s short tenure. Their four-game winning streak, while impressive, has shined a light on as many flaws as team strengths. If Miami is to pass its next two tests against Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech, it’ll have to raise the level of its game on both sides of the ball.
Why Virginia Tech might win: The time-tested formula of defense, special teams, and the running game still works in Blacksburg. While not a vintage Hokie D, it creates a slew of turnovers, limits the big play, and gets backfield pressure from ends Orion Martin and Jason Worilds. Tech presents problems for a Miami offense that’s been misfiring all year, getting inconsistent play from its young quarterbacks and ranking near the bottom of the ACC in most statistical categories. This is a tough spot for first-year hurlers Robert Marve and Jacory Harris, who’ll both play again this week.
Why Miami might win: In many ways, these two teams have been mirror images of one another this fall. Like the Hokies, the Hurricanes have compensated for an inept offense with solid defensive play and plenty of support from Matt Bosher, the program’s punter, kicker, and leading scorer. Save for the Florida State game, Miami has been stout against the run, holding opponents to just 110 yards a game and three yards a carry. If the ‘Canes can bottle up Evans, it’ll force Tech to pin its hopes on Glennon and one of the nation’s worst passing games.
Who to watch: Whichever school runs the ball better will win. It’s really that simple. Virginia Tech has Evans, but Miami boasts two talented runners, Graig Cooper and Javarris James, capable of moving the chains. The week off has been kind to James, who’s spent most of the year on the shelf with an ankle problem. In the win over Virginia two weeks ago, he rushed nine times for 55 yards before tweaking the injury again. Although the ‘Canes don’t need him to win games, they’re much tougher when No. 5 is barreling through defenses.
What will happen: Like so many ACC games this season, this one will be tight throughout and pretty homely from an offensive perspective. Neither team will get much traction when it has the ball, making turnovers and special teams play even more important than usual. Buoyed by the home crowd on a Thursday night and the running of Cooper and James, Miami will manufacture a fifth straight win to stay afloat in the Coastal Division.
CFN Prediction: Miami 20 ... Virginia Tech 14 ... Line: Miami -4
Must See Rating: (5 Quantum Of Solace – 1 Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa) … 3.5
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Saturday, November 15

Duke (4-5) at Clemson (4-5),12:00 EST, ESPN GamePlan
Why to watch: With three games remaining, Duke and Clemson are in identical situations, needing a pair of wins to attain bowl eligibility. With a chance to nudge above .500 and make life a little easier in November, both lost tough games this past weekend. The Tigers jumped out to first-half lead on Florida State in Tallahassee, but couldn’t hold it, eventually losing to the ‘Noles, 41-27. With a trip to Virginia and a visit from surging South Carolina still on the slate, they can ill-afford to drop this game. If the Blue Devils come up short in their postseason run, they’ll look to last week’s home loss to NC State as a turning point. In the most winnable game left on the schedule, they couldn’t overcome an early hole, meaning two upsets will now be required to extend the season beyond Nov. 29.
Why Duke might win: Considering all of the talent in Death Valley this season, the Clemson offense has been one of the biggest disappointments in the ACC this season. Take out the games with FCS teams, and the Tigers haven’t scored more than 27 points in a game all year, having an unusually hard time protecting Cullen Harper and running the ball. The Blue Devils have a surprisingly feisty front seven that’ll generate pressure from ends Greg Akinbiyi and Ayanga Okpokowuruk, and linebackers Michael Tauiliili and Vincent Rey. Harper’s thrown a pick in seven straight games, and will mistakes when he feels the heat.
Why Clemson might win: The Tigers will neutralize the Duke passing game, its best tool for crafting an upset. Clemson boasts a veteran secondary that’s No. 12 nationally in pass defense, despite getting no help from the pass rush. S Michael Hamlin and CB Crezdon Butler lead a veteran crew that’ll cut off Thaddeus Lewis’ passing lanes and take top receiver Eron Riley out of the game. If the Blue Devils have problems moving the ball through the air, they won’t get bailed out by a ground game that has no feature back and ranks 101^st in the country.
Who to watch: Clemson can’t count on Harper to run the offense effectively, so don’t be surprised to see more of Willy Korn, the future at quarterback for the program. He got a few reps in the loss to Florida State, and should get even more playing time this Saturday. Dabo Swinney is in a unique position. Korn is going to be the starter next season, but it’s uncertain whether the interim coach will be around to see it. Does he use the vet that gives him the best chance to win or the youngster benefit who’ll down the road from the playing time?
What will happen: The Clemson defense will shut down the Duke passing attack, rendering the entire offense ineffective. On offense, the Tigers will get just enough on the ground from James Davis and C.J. Spiller to double up the Blue Devils and get back to the .500 mark.
CFN Prediction: Clemson 28 … Duke 14 ... Line: Clemson -11.5
Must See Rating: (5 Quantum Of Solace – 1 Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa) … 2
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North Carolina (7-2) at Maryland (6-3), 3:30 EST, ABC
Why to watch: This week’s meeting in College Park between North Carolina and Maryland has the look of an elimination game in the Coastal and Atlantic Division, respectively. The Tar Heels pulled into a dead heat with Miami and Virginia Tech with an impressive 28-7 defeat of Georgia Tech over the weekend. While Carolina doesn’t enjoy complete control of its destiny, it should be in good shape for a title shot if it just keeps winning. The Terps actually control their own destiny, even after dropping a decision to the Hokies last Thursday. A half-game behind Wake Forest and Florida State, they’ve already beaten the Demon Deacons and get a visit from the ‘Noles next weekend. From week to week, Maryland remains one of the nation’s biggest enigmas, capable of beating or losing to just about anyone.
Why North Carolina might win: The Tar Heel defense has come together nicely in Butch Davis’ second season at the helm. It’s young and fast with quality defenders at each level. Carolina is No. 4 nationally in turnover margin and has gotten the job done against ground games, like the one it’ll face this weekend. The Heels have the big bodies up front to hold the line and allow linebackers Mark Paschal, Quan Sturdivant, and Bruce Carter to track down injured RB Da’Rel Scott. The way the Terps defended the run last week, yielding a school-record 253 yards to Darren Evans, it could be a big afternoon for Shaun Draughn.
Why Maryland might win: The Terrapins have been a different team at Byrd Stadium, winning all five of their games, including upsets of Cal and Wake Forest. As is often the case when less is expected, they’ll be ready to vex the experts and spit out an “A” game. When Carolina isn’t getting points off turnovers or from the special teams, it’s been ordinary on offense, averaging just 327 yards a game and sputtering at times in the red zone. Maryland needs to combat the Heels’ offense by getting its two most dangerous players, Scott and WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, in positions to make game-changing plays.
Who to watch: North Carolina QB T.J. Yates may be back from a fractured left ankle, but he’s not going to unseat Cam Sexton, who’s managed the last two games with Boston College and Georgia Tech exceptionally well. With starting CB Kevin Barnes out and the Terps No. 11 in the ACC against the pass, he’ll get a couple of chances downfield to locate WR Hakeem Nicks, who leads the league in receptions.
What will happen: This is an ideal situation for Maryland to rise up and play its best game in a month. A more likely scenario, however, has North Carolina surviving an early flurry and continuing its recent hot streak. Sexton will outplay the Terps’ Chris Turner at quarterback, protecting the ball and throwing a pair of second-half touchdowns.
CFN Prediction: North Carolina 24 … Maryland 20 ... Line: North Carolina -3
Must See Rating: (5 Quantum Of Solace – 1 Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa) … 3.5
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- ACC Week 12 Predictions, Nov. 15, Part 2 (FSU vs. BC)