Belk Bowl – 8pm 12/27 Charlotte, NC

Predicted finish:  Louisville 24 vs. NC State 31

This will be a battle between underachievers. Both teams enter this bowl game as middle-ranked teams in the respective divisions and both have 7-5 records. Louisville looked to be one of the main competitors for the Big East title early in the season, but the lack of passing game and leaky secondary provided issues for the Cardinals down the stretch. NC State on the other hand never seemed to show any consistency throughout the season; this was best exemplified by their shutout loss against the Florida State Seminoles on October 29.  However, things turned around just a couple of weeks later and they dismanted the ACC Champion Clemson Tigers on November 19^th.

Louisville enters this game with a slight edge in the running game, headed up by talented duo of Dominique Brown and Victor Anderson who combined for nearly 1,000 yards and 7 scores. NC State never really found much of a running game as they seemed to change personnel like a baby has diaper changes. NC State does have a significant edge in the passing game as QB Mike Glennon showed poise and accuracy all season long. The Cardinals’ Teddy Bridgewater will surely use his legs in this one, something that NC State should be used to from their times of enjoying QB Russell Wilson. This game will come down to the better passing game, and NC State, with the help of TE George Bryan and WR TJ Graham, should come out ready to air it out.

Virginia 17 at Miami 27

RB Lamar Miller continues to produce for the resurgent Miami (FL) Hurricanes (Icon SMI)

This is a sterling example of a trap game for Miami. The Hurricanes are coming off two huge wins over Georgia Tech and UNC. Their confidence is flying high. Their QB is actually playing some solid ball. But I could say the same for Virginia. Miami tends to struggle in Thursday night games and thus I think this one will be a fairly close game until the 4^th quarter when RB Lamar Miller busts a long one for a score. I foresee a ton of yards on the ground in this one, so you’ll want to play each of the RB in this game; Lamar Miller (right) for Miami and Perry Jones for Virginia. I don’t like either of the QBs, so keep Jacory Harris and Michael Rocco on the bench. Same goes for the WR.

NC State 24 at FSU 35

This is a sterling example of a trap game…wait, have you heard this one before? Yeah, FSU is coming in off two very large and very respectable wins over ACC foes. Now that QB EJ Manuel is back and in control, the offense seems to be clicking. But that is exactly what the Wolfpack know. They also know that they have nothing to lose as they are all but out of the ACC hunt already. They also know how to play the Seminoles tough…well tougher than most in the ACC.

The problem is that the Wolfpack defense is one of the worst in the ACC. I really like QB EJ Manuel in this one as I think he will use his legs early and often in this one. With that being said, QB Mike Glennon will have a solid outing as well. Seminole RB Devonta Freeman and WR Rodney Smith are primed for a breakout game. NC State WR TJ Graham is also due and this is the type of defense that he can exploit. Read the rest of this entry →

Can QB Tajh Boyd lead Clemson into the BCS Title game? (Icon SMI)

North Carolina 28 at #7 Clemson 35 – This will be a game more of a high-powered offense versus one of the best defenses in the ACC. I like the offense in this game. The Tar Heels should be able to move the ball pretty easily against this Clemson defense. Look for QB Bryn Renner, RB Giovanni Bernard, and WR Dwight Jones to all have good games. Start them if you have them. For Clemson, I am really big on QB Tajh Boyd and WR Sammy Watkins and DeAndre Hopkins. I think we see Watkins with a rushing score in this one in addition to a receiving TD. I think UNC really focuses on shutting down TE Dwayne Allen in this one which should open things up for the WR. Read the rest of this entry →

QB EJ Manuel to face this vaunted Duke team (Icon SMI)

Florida State 24 at Duke 20 – If you would’ve told me that the Seminoles would be entering this game one game behind Duke, I would’ve laughed. And then cried. And then laughed some more. But that’s what we’ve got. This Seminole team is so reminiscent of the terrible 2009 season that saw the dismissal of the infamous Bobby Bowden. QB EJ Manuel was not supposed to play last week as Wake Forest was supposed to be a cupcake. FSU’s defense was supposed to be a strength that this team could rely on as the offense worked in all the new starters. But to be honest, FSU might be the best team in the bottom rung in the ACC. The talent just seems to be being wasted this year. Now add in the fact that RB Chris Thompson is done for the year…I can only shake my head. Manuel will be required to play this week just so that they have a shot in this one. I really like WR Rashad Greene and RB Devonta Freeman in this one. Duke QB Sean Renfree will be able to put up some decent yards, but I don’t see a whole lot of scores. WR Conner Vernon is a must start in this game. Read the rest of this entry →

QB Tevin Washington can do it all for the Georgia Tech offense. (Icon SMI)

Maryland 14 at # #13 Georgia Tech 49 – There is no way that one of the worst defenses in the ACC is going to even come close to stopping this Tech offense. Everyone on the GT team is a must start. QB Tevin Washington should easily hit the century mark passing this weekend and look for WR Stephen Hill to get back on track after last week’s disappointing game. RB Orwin Smith should turn his limited touches into some worthy ones as he gets 2 more scores. Maryland QB Danny O’Brien will be called on early and often to carry this team as they should be playing from behind. If O’Brien can spread the ball around, he’ll have a decent day, only because of having to pass for some quick scores to keep up with the Tech offense. Stay away from RB Davin Meggett as he will be a non-factor in a pass-heavy game. Read the rest of this entry →