2009 ACC Fearless Predictions
Week 2 ... Sept. 13 Games, Part 2
Atlantic
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Boston College |
Clemson |
Florida
State |
Maryland |
NC
State |
Wake
Forest
Coastal
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Duke
| Georgia
Tech |
Miami
| North
Carolina |
Virginia |
Virginia Tech
ACC Fearless Predictions
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Week 1
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Week 2, Part 1
Kent State (1-0) at Boston College (1-0),2:00 EST, ESPN360, Saturday, September 12
Why to watch: Boston College kicked off a new and somewhat frightening era with positive results last Saturday, easily disposing of Northeastern, 54-0. While it was hardly an ACC-caliber opponent, it was exactly what the Eagles needed after enduring a turbulent and unsettling offseason. New head coach Frank Spaziani and his kids have one more chance to fine-tune the two-deep, especially at quarterback, before the stakes get much higher with a trip to Clemson. Kent State got a rare opportunity to celebrate, easily defeating Coastal Carolina, 18-0. It’s a pivotal fall for the Golden Flashes and head coach Doug Martin, who might not make it to a seventh season if he can’t get the school over .500 for the first time since 2001.
Why Kent State might win: In Eugene Jarvis, the Flashes will boast the most dynamic playmaker in the stadium Saturday afternoon. He opened with 248 all-purpose yards last week, and with four starting linemen back, is capable of taking over a game. Boston College is frighteningly one-dimensional on offense, using four quarterbacks last weekend without settling on a starter. A lack of balance is fine against Northeastern, but the FCS portion of the schedule is now over.
Why Boston College might win: The Kent State defense is not designed to handle big, physical offensive lines that can drive it off the ball. In other words, the Eagles are an awful match up for the Flashes. With Anthony Castonzo, Matt Tennant, and Thomas Claiborne helping form one of the ACC’ best lines, Boston College will toy with the Kent State D, opening gaping holes for sophomores Montel Harris and Josh Haden. Jarvis is talented, but without support from the passing game, he’ll struggle to find daylight in the face of an underrated Eagle defense.
Who to watch: Who is the quarterback at Boston College? You can play three or four guys against Northeastern and Kent State, but by Sunday, Spaziani better have his guy or else the offensive rhythm will suffer. Justin Tuggle started last week, but 25-year old rookie David Shinkie appeared to have the edge before cracking a rib in August. He did get in for a few series on Saturday, going 7-of-10 for 110 yards and his first career touchdown pass to Billy Flutie.
What will happen: Kent State is ill-equipped to stay with a
team, like Boston College, which will use a
no-frills, old-school blueprint to grind out an easy
win. Harris and Haden will enjoy ample running room,
the former going over 100 yards for a second
straight week. Forced to throw more than he should,
Golden Flashes QB Giorgio Morgan will throw three
picks, ending any hopes of a competitive game.
CFN Prediction: Boston College 27
... Kent State 7 ... Line:
Boston College -21.5
Must See Rating: (Curb Your Enthusiasm Season Premiere 5 … The Fresh Beat Band 1) …
2
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Free Expert Football Predictions
TCU (0-0) at Virginia (0-1), 3:30 EST, ESPNU, Saturday, September 12
Why to watch: After Utah shocked Alabama in last year’s Sugar Bowl and BYU edged No. 3 Oklahoma in Week 1, the Mountain West is a sizzling commodity these days. TCU gets a chance to carry the league banner into Charlottesville this Saturday, while trying to back up its No. 16 ranking against an ACC opponent. The Horned Frogs inched up in the rankings, despite being one of the nation’s few idle teams last weekend. Life doesn’t get any easier for Virginia, which suffered a humiliating loss to William & Mary in the opener, a 26-14 implosion in front of the home crowd. If the Cavaliers can’t turn things around in a hurry, they’ll spend the next few months attempting to tune out incessant distractions regarding head coach Al Groh’s job security.
Why TCU might win: Even with a handful of starters being broken in, the defense will be among the most air-tight in the country. Head coach Gary Patterson will personally make sure of it. You simply can’t run the ball on the Horned Frogs, and attempting passes means having to contend with All-American DE Jerry Hughes, a blur off the edge. Virginia’s three-quarterback system produced seven turnovers and just 268 yards against William & Mary, sobering numbers as this ferocious TCU defense makes its way to the East coast.
Why Virginia might win: A glimmer of hope for the Cavaliers can be found in a defense that has quality on the front and back end. With Matt Conrath providing pressure up front and Ras-I Dowling and Chris Cook blanketing Frog receivers, it could be a long day for QB Andy Dalton. Virginia has typically been stout under Groh, and TCU isn’t exactly an explosive bunch. More methodical than prolific, the visitors will have to earn every first down against this disciplined D.
Who to watch: TCU likes to keep it relatively buttoned-down on offense, meaning RB Joseph Turner has a chance to rush for 1,000 yards in his final year. After sharing time for most of his career, the job is all his, provided a leg injury in the spring doesn’t cause any setbacks. When the Frogs wants some flash to offset Turner’s power, they’ll turn to redshirt freshman Ed Wesley, a 5-9, 185-pound cutback runner.
What will happen: The TCU offense is going to sputter in its first game of the year. In the end, it won’t matter. The defense will carry the Frogs to a comfortable road win, holding Virginia to under 250 yards, creating a handful of turnovers, and scoring a touchdown of its own. Dalton will play mistake-free behind center, while dynamite WR Jimmy Young will shake free from Dowling a couple of times to stretch out the Cavalier defense.
CFN Prediction: TCU 27 ... Virginia
9 ... Line:
TCU -11
Must See Rating: (Curb Your Enthusiasm Season Premiere 5 … The Fresh Beat Band 1) …
2
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Free Expert Football Predictions
Jacksonville State (0-1) at Florida State (0-1),6:00 EST, Saturday, September 12
Why to watch: So close to an epic springboard victory to start the 2009 season. Florida State came within inches of defeating Miami Monday night, but a last-second pass from Christian Ponder couldn’t be secured by Jarmon Fortson, leaving the ‘Noles on the short end of a 38-34 thrill ride. So close. How the Seminoles respond to such an emotional defeat will dictate how far they can go this fall. Even in losing, it’s clear they still have enough talent to regroup and win a mediocre Atlantic Division. How about a rematch in Tampa in December? Jacksonville State gets a second crack at an ACC team after getting dumped by Georgia Tech, 37-17, in the opener. The Gamecocks are expected to have access to QB Ryan Perrilloux, the suspended former LSU Tiger, who was hotly pursued by Bobby Bowden and the Seminoles coming out of high school.
Why Jacksonville State might win: With or without Perrilloux, the Gamecocks have a dangerous and balanced offense. Marques Ivory had success through the air on a quality Yellow Jacket secondary, finding James Wilkerson six times for 70 yards. On the ground, Calvin Middleton was able to pick up 59 yards on just 11 carries. Considering how it was picked apart by Jacory Harris, it’s hard not to be concerned about a Florida State defensive backfield that yielded 386 yards and has an unusually short week to prepare.
Why Florida State might win: This is an ideal spot for the Seminoles to address a running game that stalled against Miami. Jacksonville State is light along the defensive line, which will allow the Florida State blockers to create space for Ponder and top backs Jermaine Thomas and Ty Jones to roam. The ‘Nole defense, while spotty against the pass, did a nice job of cutting off running lanes, meaning the Gamecocks will lose their desired balance. If it becomes obvious that they’re passing, Florida State could be good for two or three picks.
Who to watch: Greg Reid sure is precocious. Florida State’s true freshman corner, a starter in nickel packages, is making it hard not to expand his role. You wouldn’t blame him for being a little wide-eyed in his first game at this level, especially in a primetime showdown with rival Miami. He wasn’t. In fact, he was fantastic in his debut, making three tackles, picking off a pass, returning a kickoff for 51 yards, and generally making his presence felt. He’s not waiting to be an impact player.
What will happen: This is actually a very tough spot for Florida State and its coaching staff. In the background is a gut-wrenching loss to Miami. In the foreground is a trip to BYU, which shocked Oklahoma in Week 1. And sitting there in the middle is an FCS opponent that’ll be hard not to look past. A slow start is likely, but the ‘Noles will regroup in time to avoid a disaster, pulling away behind Ponder and the running attack.
CFN Prediction: Florida State 38
... Jacksonville State 17 ... Line:
No Line
Must See Rating: (Curb Your Enthusiasm Season Premiere 5 … The Fresh Beat Band 1) …
1.5
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Free Expert Football Predictions
James Madison (0-0) at Maryland (0-1),6:00 EST, Saturday, September 12
Why to watch: If you’re a Terrapin of any kind, it is good to be back in College Park. Maryland made the long trip to the West Coast last weekend, only to get exposed repeatedly by Cal in a historically ugly 52-13 whooping. All of the offseason concerns about a rebuilt offensive line and a sketchy defense came into focus at once, as the Terps proved to be no match for a ranked team. A visit from James Madison provides a much-needed chance to try and regroup before the season completely slips away. This is the 2009 opener for the Dukes, who come off a 12-2 season, but begin a new era without QB Rodney Landers and RB Eugene Holloman. They play in the same Colonial Athletic Conference, which produced two wins over ACC teams last weekend.
Why James Madison might win: Battle-tested and well-coached, the Dukes are perennially one of the premier programs in the FCS. A trip up to Maryland will not faze them. Even with a rebuilt backfield, they’ll be able to run the ball on a Terp D that lacks stoppers, is unproven up front, and is trying to recover from last Saturday disaster in California. The James Madison defensive line, on the other hand, is set with the returns of Arthur Moats, J.D. Skolnitsky, and Sam Daniels. In fact, the Dukes might have fewer question marks on both lines than the Terrapins.
Why Maryland might win: Okay, so the Terrapins are officially out of the national hunt. However, that doesn’t mean they don’t have a nice corps of young players capable of piecing together a second-rate bowl game. Their edge in the backfield is substantial, with the returns of senior QB Chris Turner and All-ACC RB Da’Rel Scott. Bank on the coaching staff to lean heavily on its two most reliable players, feeding Scott about 30 times until the undersized James Madison defense folds.
Who to watch: Maryland WR Torrey Smith is a budding star, but the Cal secondary made sure you didn’t know it, limiting him to just a single catch for 29 yards. An immediate spike in production will be on the menu this weekend for the sophomore. When the Terps look to air it out and make James Madison pay for inching up, Smith will be on the receiving end of seven or eight of Turner’s tosses.
What will happen: After what took place in the ACC last weekend, specifically in Berkeley, it should surprise no one if the CAA bagged another FBS victim this weekend. With its back to the corner, Maryland will even its record on the shoulders of Scott and running mate Davin Meggett. It won’t be easy—or pretty—but it will stop the bleeding in College Park for the time being.
CFN Prediction: Maryland 26 ...
James Madison 17 ... Line:
No Line
Must See Rating: (Curb Your Enthusiasm Season Premiere 5 … The Fresh Beat Band 1) …1.5
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Free Expert Football Predictions
Murray State (1-0) at NC State (0-1), 6:00 EST, Saturday, September 12
Why to watch: NC State will be looking to get back on track after essentially laying an egg in its nationally-televised opener with South Carolina. The Wolfpack was unable to maintain the momentum from the tail end of 2008, stalling on offense and getting dominated on the inside. Any hopes of competing in the Atlantic Division or improving in Tom O’Brien’s third year requires State to make the most of the next two games with FCS visitors. Murray State got off to a fast start with a 66-10 win over Kentucky Wesleyan, but bullying a Division II school doesn’t change the Racers’ profile. They remain a mediocre Ohio Valley team attempting a major step up in weight class.
Why Murray State might win: While last week’s 66-point outburst had something to do with the competition, the Racers do boast a balanced attack that’ll get production from QB Jeff Ehrhardt and RB Charlie Jordan. Speedy Derrick Townsel leads a veteran corps of wide receivers that’ll present a challenge to one of the ACC’s most generous defensive backfields.
Why NC State might win: The Wolfpack offense is going to be a problem in 2009, but just not this weekend. Murray State is an ideal opponent to work out some of the wrinkles. QB Russell Wilson is a playmaker, and is surrounded by a solid cast of skill position players. The Pack will soften the Racer D with backs Jamelle Eugene and Toney Baker, giving Wilson better looks when he drops back to locate WR Owen Spencer and TE George Bryan. Lost in last week’s defeat was the play of a defense, which limited the Gamecocks to 256 yards and no points in the final 46 minutes.
Who to watch: The entire season in Raleigh hinges on the ability of Wilson to recapture his freshman form. He’s the fulcrum for the Wolfpack, but his upside will be limited unless Ted Larsen and the rest of the line can provide him more time in the pocket. If Wilson and backup Mike Glennon are unable to make plays and distribute the ball, all of this season’s goals will be in jeopardy.
What will happen: While many schools across the country got a breather in the opener, NC State had to wait an extra week. It comes at an ideal time for the program. Without having to contend with the speed and athleticism of an SEC opponent, the Pack will execute far better than a week ago, getting all of its offensive parts involved in the gameplan. Wilson will flip a couple of touchdown passes, looking more like the player, who was named All-ACC first team in 2008.
CFN Prediction: NC State 34 ...
Murray State 13 ... Line: No Line
Must See Rating: (Curb Your Enthusiasm Season Premiere 5 … The Fresh Beat Band 1) …
1
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Free Expert Football Predictions
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Week 2, Part 1