A new weekly feature we here at VirginiaTechFan will bring you this fall is a look at each ACC matchup this week and our thoughts and prediction on each game. If anything, you’re welcome to use this feature as a guide to what to watch each weekend as your pass out on your couch from a beer and nacho coma.
Week one in the ACC is full of FCS opponents and really uninteresting matchups. However, there are a few that should keep any ACC fan intrigued. Below we will examine each matchup in chronological order. First up, is Wake Forest versus Presbyterian.
Wake Forest vs. Presbyterian – Sept 2nd – 6:30 pm
Last Meeting: Not recently
Location: Winston-Salem, NC
Why Wake Forest Should Win:
With some solid recruiting classes now having their chances to shine, Wake Forest should be able to use their talent level to win this game. Depending on how well they play will decide by just how much they’ll win. The Blue Hose (yes that’s their nickname) just don’t have the talent to contend with an ACC team.
Why Presbyterian Should Win:
While Wake Forest will be the more talented team when both teams take the field on September 2nd, stranger things have happened. Wake is in a rebuilding year and if Presbyterian can force the Demon Deacons new QB, Skylar Jones, to make some mistakes, it could be anybody’s ball game. However, coming off of an 0-11 season, even if they play their best game, this still might be a four or five touchdown route.
Prediction: Wake – 41, Presbyterian - 0
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Miami vs. Florida A&M – Sept. 2nd – 7:30 pm
Last Meeting: (2009) Miami W 48-16
Location: Miami, Florida
Why Miami Should Win:
The Hurricanes enter 2010 with BCS expectations behind a potential Heisman candidate in Jacory Harris and an experienced defense. With FAMU being an FCS caliber team, this would be an even greater upset than Appalachian State beating Michigan a few years ago. Honestly, this should be at least a five-touchdown win for the Hurricanes.
Why FAMU Should Win:
This one is easy, they won’t. Florida A&M has done a tremendous job of becoming competitive at the FCS level but even with their 8-3 season last year, this is just too tough of a test for them.
Prediction: Miami – 49, FAMU – 10
Florida State vs. Samford – Sept. 4th – 12:00 pm
Last Meeting: Not recently
Location: Tallahassee, Florida
Why Florida State Should Win:
With the beginning of the Jimbo Fisher era at Florida State, the Seminoles will take the field behind somebody other than Bobby Bowden for the first time since 1975. With this being the first game of the new era, I would expect Florida State to kick it off in style. Expect this to be a dominating victory from the Seminoles.
Why Samford Should Win:
The players at Samford have plenty of experience playing against division one foes in the past. However, playing Florida State in their own backyard is a different animal. Seeing that they’ve never beaten a division one foe, I wouldn’t expect Samford to challenge FSU much on Saturday.
Prediction: FSU – 62, Samford - 3
Georgia Tech vs. South Carolina State – Sept 4th – 1:00 pm
Last Meeting: Not Recently
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Why Georgia Tech Should Win:
The Yellow Jackets will start defending their ACC Championship crown when they take the field on Saturday. While GT will need to fill some holes on defense, their just by far too talented to lose to an FCS team.
Why South Carolina State Should Win:
South Carolina State returns a senior at Quarterback in Malcolm Long. While Long struggled at times last year, he is talented enough to lead the offense against a rebuilding Yellow Jackets defense. If they can find a suitable replacement of William Ford at running back, then SCST at least has a chance in this one.
Prediction: GT – 45, SCST - 10
Boston College vs. Weber State – Sept 4th – 1:00 pm
Last Meeting: Not Recently
Location: Chesnut Hill, Massachusetts
Why Boston College Should Win:
Nobody could have predicted Boston College to finish 8-5 last season especially with the off-season they went through. First is was Coach Jagodinski leaving, next it was Dominique Davis being ruled ineligible, then it was Mark Herzlich being diagnosed with life threatening cancer. Despite all of that, the Eagles managed to crank out another successful campaign. With the majority of the offense returning, this game should be a route in favor of the Eagles.
Why Weber State Should Win:
With some holes to fill on defense, Weber State should have opportunities to move the ball early on in this game. However, the Eagles are by far too talented for an upset to occur in this one. If Weber State wants to win, they’ll need nothing short of a miracle.
Prediction: BC – 47, Weber State - 3
Clemson vs. North Texas – Sept 4th – 3:30 pm
Last Meeting: Not Recently
Location: Clemson, South Carolina
Why Clemson Should Win:
Clemson does tend to struggle at times with lower level competition, however North Texas is borderline terrible. The Tigers return most of their defense and a good portion of their skill position players meaning that this should be a fairly easy Clemson win.
Why North Texas Should Win:
The Mean Green started a freshman in Riley Dodge last year and while there were a few growing pains, that experiment should pay off this year. If Dodge has a good game and the defensive comes to play, North Texas could put themselves in position to pull an upset.
Prediction: Clemson – 34, North Texas - 13
North Carolina State vs. Western Carolina – Sept 4th – 6:00 pm
Last Meeting: Not recently
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
Why NC State Should Win:
With Russell Wilson returning for his junior season, NC State will have enough offensive firepower to hang with just about every team on their schedule this year. Add in the fact that Western Carolina was a dreadful 2-9 in 2009, then it’s easy to see that this should be a feast for the Wolfpack.
Why Western Carolina Should Win:
As a Tech fan, I always hate playing in-state FCS teams because there is always a hence of rivalry between fellow commonwealth schools. Western Carolina does return a lot from last season so perhaps if they play their best game, they could at least give themselves a chance.
Prediction: NC State – 45, Western Carolina - 7
Virginia vs. Richmond – Sept 4th – 6:00 pm
Last Meeting: (2008) UVA W 16-0
Location: Charlottesville, Virginia
Why Virginia Should Win:
With a new regime in town, the Hoos will likely try to break their current FCS losing streak and get back on the winning path against the lowest level of competition a D1 team can face. With London knowing Richmond very well, I would expect UVA to win this round.
Why Richmond Should Win:
The Spiders defeated Duke last season and honestly, last year’s Duke team is probably better than this year’s UVA team. The Spiders will also have USC transfer Aaron Corp at their disposal at quarterback. Richmond will need to play well to win but this is probably the biggest toss-up game in the ACC this week.
Prediction: UVA – 17, Richmond - 16
Duke vs. Elon – Sept 4th – 7:00 pm
Last Meeting: Not Recently
Location: Durham, North Carolina
Why Duke Should Win:
David Cutcliffe has turned Duke from a bottom feeder in the ACC to a potential bowl team in just two short years. The biggest challenge left for Cutcliffe to overcome is the inability of Duke to beat FCS level competition. In the last four years, the Blue Devils are just 1-2 against FCS level teams, losing to Richmond twice and beating JMU once. Elon is one of the better FCS teams but with more talent at Duke than there has been in the last 10 years, I think Duke should win this one.
Why Elon Should Win:
Elon finished a respectable 9-3 in 2009 before having their season end against Richmond. With a senior at QB in Scott Riddle and leading rusher Jamal Shuman back at running back, the Elon offense should be ready to roll once again this year. If Duke wants to prove that their ready to take that step forward and be relevant in college football, they’ll need to start by winning this game and winning it big.
Prediction: Duke – 27, Elon – 20
North Carolina vs. LSU – Sept 4th – 8:00 pm
Last Meeting: Not Recently
Location: Atlanta, Georgia (CFA Kick-off Classic)
Why North Carolina Should Win:
With NCAA allegations and possible program altering penalties headed towards Chapel Hill, it’s hard to predict how UNC will play in this game. With six or so defensive starters likely suspended for this matchup, I have to think that LSU would be heavily favored in this affair.
Why LSU Should Win:
The SEC has dominated the ACC vs. SEC series since 2004 and honestly, why should this game be any different. Les Miles is determined to lead his troops back to the SEC Championship game this year and LSU could really use this game as a confidence booster. With a great defense and a more than capable offense, LSU should beat UNC.
Prediction: LSU – 34, UNC - 10
Maryland vs. Navy – Sept 6th – 4:00 pm
Last Meeting: (2005) Maryland W 23-20
Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Why Maryland Should Win:
The Terps enter 2010 with a lot of questions marks but one of the bright spots of the off-season has been the leadership from new quarterback Jamarr Robinson. While the defense should be average at best, the offense does have the ability to outscore people, especially with a determined Da’Rel Scott returning at running back.
Why Navy Should Win:
Navy has amassed an 18-9 record in the last two years, which is far from where Maryland has finished in 2008 and 2009. With Ricky Dobbs returning at quarterback, the Midshipmen are going to be a tough team to beat once again in 2010. With Maryland going through a drastic decline, expect this one to get ugly fast.
Prediction: Navy - 38, Maryland – 10
Virginia Tech vs. Boise State – Sept 6th – 8:00 pm
Last Meeting: Never
Location: Landover, Maryland
Why Virginia Tech Should Win:
The Hokies enter this game after finishing 2009 on a five game winning streak, which included a Chick-fil-a Bowl win over the Tennessee Volunteers. With the nations most dangerous backfield in Tyrod Taylor and Ryan Williams returning, the Hokies could definitely outscore Boise State in this one.
Why Boise State Should Win:
Boise holds the nations best winning percentage over the last 10 years and will look to continue their “Respect” tour here in 2010. If Boise State beats the Hokies, they are likely National Title contenders, however a loss would put them out of the picture completely. With Kellen Moore at QB, the Broncos have a great chance at being the first non-BCS team to ever win a National Championship in the BCS era.
Prediction: Virginia Tech – 31, Boise State - 27
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