ACC Fearless Predictions, Nov. 22

Previews and Predictions for the Week 13 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 | Nov. 15   

How are the picks so far? SU: 52-29 ... ATS: 28-39

- ACC Week 13 Predictions, Nov. 22, Part 2

ACC Game of the Week

Florida State (7-3) at Maryland (7-3), 5:30 EST, ESPN
Why to watch: As the round-robin for the Atlantic Division title heads down the stretch, Maryland is enjoying the view from the head of the pack. The Terps delivered another gut-check win over a ranked team on Saturday, coming from behind to beat North Carolina, 17-15. Although they haven’t earned many style points this fall, all head coach Ralph Friedgen knows is that his team is two wins away from earning a spot in the ACC Championship. Just a half-game behind the Terps is Florida State, which had hoped to be in sole possession of the lead before stumbling at home to Boston College. The ‘Noles remain a flawed and inconsistent program needing a win in College Park and a whole lot of help to remain a viable contender in the division. With a visit from Florida in the on-deck circle, they must stop the bleeding now or else it’ll be an ugly end to the regular season.
Why Florida State might win: Besides WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, no one on the Maryland offense is going to intimidate the Seminole defenders. Since routing Eastern Michigan on Sept. 20, the Terps have only averaged 17 points over the last six games. QB Chris Turner is poised and manages games very well, but he doesn’t have the rifle to stretch the field. Florida State still has the athletes to lead the country in tackles for loss and third-down defense, while ranking No. 5 in total defense.
Why Maryland might win: The Terrapins won’t score a lot of points Saturday evening, but they won’t allow many either. The defense bends, but doesn’t often break. Yeah, it’s No. 11 in the ACC in yards allowed, but is No. 6 in points allowed. Moise Fokou and Alex Wujciak are the cornerstones of a linebacking corps that goes from sideline-to-sideline in a hurry. They’ll help corral a Florida State offense that lacks consistency at quarterback and along the offensive line. Since toying with FCS opponents, ‘Nole quarterbacks have thrown just seven touchdown passes to 13 interceptions.
Who to watch: With his shoulder barking throughout the Carolina game, RB Da’Rel Scott put forth a heroic effort, rushing for 129 yards and a touchdown in a Maryland win. Despite wearing a yellow jersey throughout practice this week, he needs to come up big again if the Terps are going to soften that rugged Florida State D. When Maryland has rushed for at least 140 yards this season, it’s won six of seven games.
What will happen: Maryland defies all logic. It has almost no star power, yet just keeps winning, especially at home and against quality opponents. The Terrapins will run their Byrd Stadium record to 7-0, seizing complete control of the division behind 80 hard-fought yards from Scott and a pair of field goals from Obi Egekeze, who’s bounced back from a terrible start.
CFN Prediction: Maryland 20 … Florida State 16... Line: Maryland -1 
Must See Rating: (5 Valkyrie – 1 Paris Hilton’s My New BFF) … 4
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Thursday, November 20

Miami (7-3) at Georgia Tech (7-3), 7:30 EST, ESPN, Thursday, November 20
Why to watch: The ACC game of the week will go a long way to determining who wins a competitive Coastal Division. Miami is this year’s Virginia, winning a bunch of close, often ugly games to take a half-game lead in the divisional race. Fueled by a youth movement, the Hurricanes have won five-in-a-row to make a Top 25 cameo for the first time in more than two years. While the program is still light years from the glory days, a win in Atlanta would go a long way toward narrowing that gap. The school that’s sitting a half-game behind Miami just happens to be Georgia Tech. While the Yellow Jackets are being hamstrung by earlier losses to North Carolina and Virginia Tech, they’ll do no worse than a tie for the division crown with a win this weekend. The fans at Bobby Dodd Stadium will do their part to make it four straight over Miami, greeting the visitors with a white out.
Why Miami might win: The Hurricanes are being sparked by a young and athletic defense that’s held its last three opponents below 20 points. Now No. 10 nationally, the unit has traded star power for good fundamentals and a penchant for stopping the run. The latter will be especially important versus a Georgia Tech option offense that relies almost exclusively on Jonathan Dwyer and the running game. The Yellow Jackets are banged up on the inside and will be without top lineman Andrew Gardner, another hurdle to solving the ‘Cane defense.
Why Georgia Tech might win: Miami has been winning in spite of an offense that lacks consistency and has shown its inexperience at quarterback with freshmen Robert Marve and Jacory Harris. The ‘Canes are 100^th nationally in total offense, and are doing a poor job in the trenches. They’re going to get manhandled up front by a Yellow Jacket defensive line that’s arguably the most talented in the country. Michael Johnson, Darryl Richard, Derrick Morgan, and Vance Walker all have at least 8.5 tackles for loss, presenting a major challenge for Miami. If Marve and Harris feel pressure, DB Morgan Burnett and a ball-hawking Tech D will swoop in and capitalize on their mistakes.
Who to watch: Although he’s been far from perfect, Georgia Tech needs Josh Nesbitt to be healthy and ready to go by Thursday night. He’s been nursing a sprained ankle that’s limited his mobility, an obvious concern for an option quarterback. If Nesbitt can’t go, the Jackets’ fate will rest with Jaybo Shaw, who’s just a true freshman.
What will happen: This is the ACC, so you can bank on a close, low-scoring defensive scrum. If it comes down to a kicking duel, Miami has a huge edge with Matt Bosher. It won’t. Georgia Tech will remain alive in the Coastal and boost the spirits of Virginia Tech and North Carolina, feeding off a rabid home crowd and a defense that’ll create three game-defining turnovers.
CFN Prediction: Georgia Tech 24 … Miami 16... Line: Georgia Tech -3.5 
Must See Rating: (5 Valkyrie – 1 Paris Hilton’s My New BFF) … 4
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Saturday, November 22

NC State (4-6) at North Carolina (7-3), 12:00 EST, ESPN GamePlan
Why to watch: North Carolina State is back at it again. For the second straight year, the Wolfpack is gaining a head of steam in the second half and playing the spoiler role in the conference. State has beaten in-state rivals Duke and Wake Forest in back-to-back weeks, and hasn’t played a truly bad game since getting dumped by South Florida on Sept. 27. If the Pack can stay hot for two more weeks, it might be rewarded with an unexpected bowl berth. North Carolina will be looking to rebound from Saturday’s damaging two-point loss at Maryland. The Heels appeared headed for first place in the Coastal Division, but couldn’t hang on and now need help to win the ACC. Butch Davis has not named a starting quarterback for the game, indicating that Cam Sexton and T.J. Yates, the starter before injuring his ankle in September, will compete for the job during practice.
Why NC State might win: Whoever gets the nod from Davis will face a Wolfpack defense playing its best ball of the year. While the season statistics aren’t great, State has been stout against the run in consecutive weeks and had four sacks in Saturday’s upset of Wake Forest. It’s no coincidence that LB Nate Irving is back from injury and playing as well as he did in September. Redshirt freshman QB Russell Wilson isn’t getting nearly enough attention for his role in the program’s recent success. While no flamethrower, he’s thrown two touchdowns in each of the last four games and won’t make the kind of mistakes that the Carolina D has lived off this fall.
Why North Carolina might win: The Tar Heels are glad to be back in Chapel Hill, where they’re 5-1 with the only loss coming against Virginia Tech. The defense continues to be the catalyst for the program, creating turnovers and winning the battles at the point of attack. While NC State is certainly playing better, its offensive line will have problems controlling a solid front seven that can freely substitute fresh bodies at linebacker and defensive tackle. It was just three games ago that the Pack was getting gutted on the ground by Maryland, so RB Shaun Draughn should get back on track and help control the tempo of the game.
Who to watch: Although he doesn’t have prototypical size at 6-1 and 225 pounds, Irving is a special player, a difference-maker from the defensive side of the ball. In just two games back from injury, he’s already racked up 22 tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack, and a forced fumble. If Carolina is going to emerge from its offensive funk, someone better consistently get a hat on No. 56.
What will happen: North Carolina and Miami are going to find out in the next two weeks that NC State is for real. The Pack is a genuine nuisance that’s playing much better on defense and getting crisp play from Wilson. The Tar Heels will tighten the screws late on defense to survive a scare, but it is not going to be easy.
CFN Prediction: North Carolina 24 … NC State 15... Line: North Carolina -11 
Must See Rating: (5 Valkyrie – 1 Paris Hilton’s My New BFF) … 2.5
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- ACC Week 13 Predictions, Nov. 22, Part 2