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2009 ACC Fearless Predictions
Week 12 ... Nov. 21 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
12, Part 1
NC State (4-6) at Virginia Tech (7-3),3:30 EST, ESPNU, Saturday, November 21
Why to watch: Now that Virginia Tech is back on a winning run, it hopes to finish this disappointing year without another smudge. After dropping consecutive games to Georgia Tech and North Carolina that altered the trajectory of the season, the Hokies have suffocated East Carolina and Maryland on the road. As a heavy favorite in the final two regular season games, the program hopeful it can still land one of the ACC’s more desirable second-tier bowl berths. NC State, on the other hand, will not be bowling this season, a surprise considering it started 3-1 and handed No. 9 Pitt its only loss of the fall. The Wolfpack has stumbled to five losses in six tries since, and has already started to peak ahead to the objectives for next season.
Why NC State might win: Even during the tough times, the offense continues to exhibit a pulse, specifically the passing game. The Pack is averaging 32 points a game, and is also getting help on the ground from bruising veteran RB Tony Baker. When Russell Wilson remains in the pocket, he’ll be looking for TE George Bryan or receivers Jarvis Williams and Owen Spencer. Williams has elevated above the mediocrity throughout the season, turning his 36 receptions into 472 yards and a team-high nine touchdown grabs.
Why Virginia Tech might win: Not only is NC State unable to stop anyone, but the Hokies have awoken from their offensive slumber. The Pack has had to dig deep into the depth chart and use all different combinations in the secondary, but still has yielded at least 30 points over the last seven games. Helping keep that trend alive will be RB Ryan Williams, the nation’s seventh-leading rusher, and QB Tyrod Taylor, who’s fresh off the best passing game of his career. He’ll scramble when it’s needed, but also carve up the State defense, with strikes to top receivers Jarrett Boykin, Dyrell Roberts, and Danny Coale.
Who to watch: Out of necessity and design, Wilson will be throwing a lot in Blacksburg on Saturday afternoon. Once mistake-free, he’s been picked off in each of the last six games and better keep his head on a swivel for No. 21, Hokie boundary corner Rashad Carmichael. A terrific all-around athlete, who’s flourished in his first year as a starter, he has a team-high five picks and will occasionally be employed on the blitz.
What will happen: Back to playing quality football again, Virginia Tech is poised to throttle an NC State team that already appears to have its head in the offseason. The mismatches are everywhere, but especially when the Hokies have the ball. Williams will batter the Pack for 150 yards and a couple of scores on the ground, opening up the passing lanes for Taylor to remain hot through the air.
CFN Prediction: Virginia Tech 38 … NC State 16 ... Line: Virginia Tech -21
Must See Rating: (WWII in HD 5 … Old Dogs 1) … 3
-Free Expert Football Predictions
Virginia (3-7) at Clemson (7-3),3:30 EST, Saturday, ABC, November 21
Why to watch: The only ACC team that’s hotter than Clemson these days is Georgia Tech. If the Tigers can pick up a sixth win-in-a-row this weekend, they’ll get a crack at the Yellow Jackets in Tampa in next month’s conference championship game. Ever since losing to Maryland on Oct. 3, Clemson has built an impressive head of steam, burying NC State in Raleigh last Saturday to whittle its magic number for winning the Atlantic Division to one. Trying to stall the Tigers’ celebration will be Virginia, which is living through a streak of a different color. Since pulling even at 3-3 on Oct. 17, the Cavaliers have disappeared with four consecutive losses, ensuring back-to-back losing seasons for the first time since 1981-82. At that level of futility, the program is likely entering the final days of Al Groh’s tenure in Charlottesville.
Why Virginia might win: Hope can be found in a defense that’s held up relatively well, despite being on the field more than it would like. The Cavaliers harbor one of the league’s top defenses, which could stunt the growth of redshirt freshman QB Kyle Parker. Only once have they permitted more than one touchdown in a game, getting a push up front from Nate Collins and lockdown coverage out of cornerbacks Ras-I Dowling and Chris Cook. Both have picked off three passes and Cook took one back for Virginia’s only touchdown in last Saturday’s loss to Boston College.
Why Clemson might win: Virginia can’t score. Turning things around against this Tiger D is highly unlikely. Clemson is flush with pick-pockets and will pressure Jameel Sewell into ill-advised. With DE Ricky Sapp exploding off the edge, Sewell will be easy pickings for a dynamite secondary that includes corners Crezdon Butler and Chris Chancellor and safeties Rashard Hall and DeAndre McDaniel. The Tiger offense has scored at least 38 points in each of the last five games, but half that will be enough to get by the impotent Wahoo offense.
Who to watch: Is there anything the versatile C.J. Spiller doesn’t do for Clemson these days? Already sizzling entering last week’s trip to NC State, he became the first Tiger in school history to run, catch, and throw for a touchdown in the same game. Oh, he’s also No. 4 nationally in kickoff returns, so go ahead and call the Swiss Army company about a possible marketing deal once his amateur career is over.
What will happen: Stunningly good over the last month, Clemson is not about to muff a chance to lock up the Atlantic Division in front of the home crowd. And certainly not against a bad Virginia squad. The Tigers will keep the Cavs in single digits, while doing their best to bolster Spiller’s Heisman brag sheet. By the third quarter, calls to bring on Georgia Tech will be resonating throughout Death Valley.
CFN Prediction: Clemson 38 … Virginia 9 ... Line: Clemson -20.5
Must See Rating: (WWII in HD 5 … Old Dogs 1) … 2
-Free Expert Football Predictions
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Week
12, Part 1