Saturday, October 11

East Carolina (3-2) at Virginia (2-3), 12:00 EST, ESPN GamePlan
Why to watch: For the first time all season, there was a Virginia sighting in Charlottesville. And it was bad news for Maryland. The Cavaliers took the bounce out of the Terps’ step, pounding them 31-0 in one of the biggest shockers of the weekend. With freshmen littered throughout the two-deep, Virginia was sound in all phases of the game, but now it has to show it can sustain that effort in consecutive weeks. With a week off and a chance to get back to basics, East Carolina is trying to recapture the form that made it one of the nation’s darlings early in the year. After starting 3-0 and burrowing deep into the Top 25, the Pirates have lost back-to-back games to North Carolina State and Houston. They’ve got one more week to get things right before the Conference USA schedule resumes.
Why East Carolina might win: It’s hard to imagine that the light has suddenly gone on for a Virginia offense that’s paper-thin at quarterback and ranked 117^th nationally in scoring. While Marc Verica played well a week ago, this is the same young quarterback who threw four interceptions in his previous game with Duke and has only gotten modest support from the running game. He’ll get pressure from a Pirate D that has DE C.J. Wilson and LB Pierre Bell as the cornerstones of a talented front seven. New Cavalier starting LG Austin Pasztor may have a bright future, but the 17-year freshman will have his hands full with this group.
Why Virginia might win: The Cavalier defense has started playing up to Al Groh’s expectations the last two games, stopping the run and limiting big plays in the passing game. Clint Sintim, Antonio Appleby, and Jon Copper are a dynamite trio of linebackers, who’ll contain an average East Carolina running game and get in the face of QB Patrick Pinkney. Coming off his best game of the year, WR Kevin Ogletree will cause problems for a Pirate secondary that’s given up three touchdown passes in each of the last two games.
Who to watch: As Virginia continues to improve on defense, it’s incumbent upon Pinkney to make good decisions and get the ball in the hands of top receivers Dwayne Harris and Jamar Bryant. The Pirates haven’t been great in any one area this fall and have yet to score more than 28 points in a game, so it’s up to their senior leader to move the chains and get as many players as possible involved in the offense.
What will happen: A week off gave East Carolina a chance to get off the rollercoaster ride that has been the first half of the season and refocus on the rest of the year. The Pirates will play their sharpest game in a month, forcing the Cavaliers into field goal attempts and getting a couple of touchdown passes from Pinkney.   
CFN Prediction: East Carolina 24 … Virginia 21 ... Line: East Carolina -5
Must See Rating: (5 The Girls Next Door: Season 5 - 1  2008 Chicago Cub Playoff Highlights) … 3
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Gardner-Webb (2-3) at Georgia Tech (4-1), 3:30 EST
Why to watch: Under first-year coach Paul Johnson, Georgia Tech continues to flourish as one of this year’s pleasant surprises out of the ACC. It was a good sign for the offense and the program that even without starting QB Josh Nesbitt, the offense rolled up 454 balanced yards in a 27-0 whitewash of Duke. Making his first start, true freshman Jaybo Shaw accounted for two touchdowns and was especially sharp through the air. With even a hint of a threat from the passing game, the option will be that much harder for defenses to stop. The Yellow Jackets will host Gardner-Webb in their final tune-up before the toughest portion of the schedule commences. The Runnin’ Bulldogs of the Big South are 2-3, coming off a tough in-conference loss to Charleston Southern.
Why Gardner-Webb might win: If you plan on beating Georgia Tech these days, you better be able to stop the run. The Runnin’ Bulldogs do that as well as any team in the FCS. In fact, they rank No. 3 in the country, yielding just 45 yards a game and under two yards a carry. Marty Patterson and Jeffrey Reynolds are a pair of active linebackers with the range to disrupt opposing running games and make plays behind the line of scrimmage.
Why Georgia Tech might win: The Yellow Jackets will get their yards on the ground this weekend. No matter who is taking snaps, the offense just keeps getting more efficient, largely because of the running of Jonathan Dwyer, the ACC’s leading rusher. A perfect fit for Johnson at B-back, he’s gone for 300 yards on only 32 carries over the last two games. Dave Wommack’s defense continues to be among the best in the league, allowing a mere 11 points and 261 yards a game. The unit will be aiming for back-to-back shutouts this weekend.
Who to watch: The advent of the option in Atlanta has received most of the attention, but it’s been the play of the front four that’s really fueled Georgia Tech’s 4-1 start. Vance Walker, Darryl Richard, Michael Johnson, and Derrick Morgan give the Yellow Jackets one of the best defensive lines in the country and a decided advantage in the trenches every weekend. All four have at least 3.5 tackles for loss and will really begin paying dividends when ACC play resumes.
What will happen: Before a tough second half of the schedule begins, Georgia Tech can use Gardner-Webb as a chance to pick up a win, get everyone healthy, and smooth out some wrinkles, particularly when it comes to finishing drives. Even if Nesbitt’s hamstring is healthy, Johnson is comfortable with Shaw and might lean toward giving his starter another week to rest.
CFN Prediction: Georgia Tech 41 … Gardner-Webb 0 ... Line: No Line
Must See Rating: (5 The Girls Next Door: Season 5 - 1  2008 Chicago Cub Playoff Highlights) … 1
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- ACC Week Seven Predictions, Oct. 11, Part 2