ACC Weekend Pickoff

Is it really week the 7th game of the season ALREADY? We get into some very interesting matchups this weekend, with everyone in conference play. Let's get to it!

FSU at NC State (Thurs night)

Both teams have shown sparks of brilliance and the firework duds we see every Fourth of July. FSU has been downright terrible in Thursday night games, especially away from Doak Campbell. NC State showed some life in their last game where they took BC to the wire. Too much offense for the Noles in this one.

FSU 28 NC State 14

Wake Forest at Maryland

The two questions here are (1) did Maryland learn from their Charlottesville debacle and are they ready to rumble with emotion and execution and (2) can Wake Forest keep their momentum rolling? Wake is now in the driver's seat for the Atlantic division since they have already beaten league heavyweights FSU and Clemson. If they fail to get to the championship game it will be their own fault.

Wake 21 Maryland 14

UNC at UVA

This may turn out to be the most exciting conference game of the weekend. No, really. UVAs recent resurgence is nothing short of amazing, and if they can get past UNC, I will start to pay attention. UNC is coming off of 2 last second game changing moments where they have come out on the positive side. Their momentum should keep them going throughout the season, but the big question that is lingering is how will UNC do without Brandon Tate in the lineup for the rest of the year?

UNC 28 UVA 21

Miami at Duke

Miami needs a conference win. And bad. They are 0-2 so far to start the year and likely the hopes to make it to their first ever conference championship game went by the wayside when they lost back to back games to UNC and FSU. Duke would like to rebound from their bad loss at Georgia Tech. Duke could be 4-2 at the end of the weekend. Again, really.

Miami 24 Duke 14

Georgia Tech at Clemson

This game is hard to predict, because I can see a number of scenarios playing out. This is Clemson's first game without Tommy Bowden on the sidelines in almost 10 years. How will they respond? I can see them coming out fired up desperate to make a statement win. I can see them coming out confused and bewildered not knowing which way is up. Factor in Georgia Tech's triple option and you have a lot to consider.

Clemson 24 Georgia Tech 21

VT at BC

For those of you who can harken back to the Big East days, you will remember very few blowouts on either side of this matchup. It was almost always a physical, run down your throat kind of game with huge offensive lines, a slug fest that was always entertaining. Coach Jags has gotten away from that in favor of a more finesse offense. Until VT proves they cannot win on the road with this young team, you have to go with VT in a tight one. Also, Tyrod is quietly 9-0 as a starter. Betcha didn't know that??!?

VT 24 BC 17