For the second week in a row, all 12 ACC teams are in action this week, and every game is within the conference. Not every game will bear any factor over divisional races, at least not at the top of those races, but some of these games could be key this time next month. We're starting to get a feel for what to expect when most of these teams hit the field, but every week produces a surprise of some sort, so let's try to find out where there could be an upset or two.
Gimme Games
None
Upset Watch
VT over Duke
Miami over UVA
Clemson over Georgia Tech
50/50 Games
FSU over NC State
Boston College over Maryland
UNC over Wake Forest
The closest thing to a gimme game this week would have been VT/Duke had the Hokies been even close to completely healthy on defense, but alas we all know how that is going. Look for the preview article tomorrow for a more in-depth look as to how this game could play out.
Not counting State's embarrassing showing against Cincy this year, or Wake's unfortunate OT loss on opening night, this week will be the first true ACC showcase on ESPN's Thursday Night Football. I don't see this one being exciting enough to keep the viewers all game however. Hell, if I didn't have two TVs in my living room, and a sense of obligation to watch since it is ACC, I would probably watch something else too. UVA couldn't back up their signature win over an undefeated, ranked opponent with anything worthwhile, and Miami has surprising played better since being all but eliminated from the divisional race. Add in the fact that while Sun Life Stadium isn't a huge home field advantage, the Canes themselves will be looking for payback from last year.
Georgia Tech hasn't been playing well in the past two weeks, and Clemson hasn't Clemson'd out on us yet this year, so no reason to think the upset will occur here. It's always possible, and these two usually provide one of the better cross-divisional rivalry games each year, but it would take an almost perfect game by Georgia Tech to win in my opinion. The 8 o'clock national coverage could be a good chance for the Jacket faithful to get rowdy and loud by game time, and could be a good indication of what it may be like for the Hokies in a couple weeks. Of course if the Bumblebees lose a third straight and then have basically a week off before the matchup of the Techs, we'll see how supportive the fan base really is.
Easily the least important matchup this week will be Maryland and Boston College. Neither team can do anything at this point except maybe somehow win a game they're not supposed to and shake up the standings a bit, but this game on its own won't matter. Maryland has looked like crap (or some would say "like Maryland") since Week 1, and Boston College, while better than their record, is still 1-6. I do expect the Eagles to get their first conference win this week though.
NC State usually plays pretty well against the Noles, including last year's upset win that almost helped them win the division. This game will either be a dominant win by the Noles if they play to their potential, or at least play for pay back, or a close game if both teams come out lethargic like they know that the win won't help anything but possible bowl placement. If Jimbo wants to receive even half the credit he was getting between January and September before next season, he needs to get his team ready to play and win every remaining game, no matter how important it may be.
UNC and Wake Forest probably won't get mentioned much this week, but to me it will be a pretty interesting game. Wake Forest bounced back from their first ACC loss and beat in-state rival Duke, but now they want to take down the king of the state. Throw in the fact that UNC will have just returned from stating their case to the NCAA, and while no decisions regarding that will have been made, we'll see where the heads of the coaches and players for the Tar Heels are after that ordeal. Talent-wise UNC should win this game easily, but Wake Forest knows that unlike their opponent, they still control their own destiny in their division, but a second conference loss would require them to not only beat Clemson, but they would need someone else to beat the Tigers in conference as well.
H-O-K-I-E-S HOKIES!!!
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