Sporting Fools
Sporting Fools
Sporting Fools
Sporting Fools
Saturday, September 17, 2005
Around the ACC/State..I'll take a closer look at FSU-BC and Miami-Clemson a little later.
Virginia (1-0) at Syracuse (1-1): The Cavaliers are going to be one of those tough teams to figure out. They've obviously got the talent to compete, but do they have the moxie to actually win the games that count. If so they have to beat teams like Syracuse on the road in early-season games. Virginia 24-17.
West Virginia (2-0) at Maryland (1-1): Even in a loss to Clemson, the Terrapins proved that they will not be an easy out for anyone on their schedule. Both teams have lots of new talent but Maryland is home and they've got the Fridge. Maryland 23-20.
VMI (1-1) at Duke (0-2): I guess this is as good a chance as Duke will get to post a 'W' this season. Duke 31-13.
Ohio (1-1) at Virginia Tech (2-0): I give Frank Solich credit, he's not going to make rebuilding the Bobcats an easy job. And I'm sorry Frank Beamer is no Dave Wannstedt. Virginia Tech 38-7.
E. Kentucky (0-2) at N.C. State (0-1): Another annual cupcake for the Wolfpack. N.C. State 48-0.
East Carolina (1-0) at Wake Forest (0-2): The normally-tough Deacons have had a difficult time bouncing back from the OT loss to Vanderbilt a couple of weeks ago. This might be one of the last times ECU is considered a gimme. Wake Forest 24-13.
UConn (2-0) at Georgia Tech (2-0): The Wreck have a decisive experience and talent edge, but the Huskies are very well coached and will not back down on the road. The maturation of Reggie Ball continues as a showdown with Virginia Tech looms. Georgia Tech 28-17.
Wisconsin (2-0) at North Carolina (0-1): My co-worker (and Wisconsin grad) Patrick says that the only way the Badgers can be beaten is to pass on them...Fair enough, but the Tar Heels will also have to get more out of their running game than the 61 yards they got last week. BTW Wisconsin has scored 121 points in two games this year, it took them seven games to reach that total last year. North Carolina 30-27.
And since I'll be looking at Florida-Tennessee and USF-UCF a little later, I'll add in the only other Division 1-A state game being played today.
Florida Atlantic (0-2) at Minnesota (2-0): The Owls dropped an offensive bomb on national TV last week, but they did show a lot of speed on defense which should help them cover the 31-point spread and keep Laurence Maroney from gaining 300 yards. Eventually Schnellenberger's team will win these games, but they are too young right now. Minnesota 49-21.