In the first weekend of college football the ACC posted an impressive 10-2 overall record against their respective opponents. However, this weekend will be a much tougher task, as three ACC schools square off against ranked opponents. Here is a breakdown of each game and a prediction of how each team will fare.
NOON DUKE AT WAKE FOREST, ESPN3.COM
The first Atlantic Coast Conference matchup this season pits two teams each trying to find an offensive identity after losing senior quarterbacks to graduation.
Wake Forest’s Riley Skinner and Duke’s Thaddeus Lewis were both four-year starters for their respective teams, so both Wake and Duke will look for others on the offense to fill the void.
Given Duke’s defensive woes — last week they gave up 27 points and 406 yards of offense to a Football Championship Subdivision school Elon — they will almost undoubtedly have trouble against Wake’s powerful rushing attack.
Prediction: Wake Forest 38 Duke 21
NOON NO. 15 GEORGIA TECH AT KANSAS
It’s been just three years since Kansas earned an Orange Bowl victory over Virginia Tech, however there has been nothing but turmoil in Lawrence since.
Former head coach Mark Mangino resigned last season amid a humiliating seven-game losing streak and allegations he had mistreated players.
If that wasn’t enough, the Jayhawks extended that losing streak to eight games with a 6-3 loss to FCS squad North Dakota State last Saturday. While George Tech has had to deal with the loss of its leading rusher Jonathan Dwyer, leading receiver Demaryius Thomas, pass-rush specialist Derrick Morgan and ball-hawking safety Morgan Burnett, the Yellow Jackets will wear down Kansas with their potent option-attack.
Prediction: Georgia Tech 34 Kansas 13
1:30 P.M. JAMES MADISON AT NO. 13 VIRGINIA TECH, ESPN3.COM
The Hokies have beaten the Dukes by a combined score of 90-0 in their previous two meetings.
While Tech had only a four-day turnaround to prepare for JMU, there is simply too much offensive firepower on the Hokies’ roster. Even though Tech’s 33-30 heartbreaker to Boise State will likely stay with the team throughout the season, Beamer’s track record speaks for itself.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 45 James Madison 10
3:30 P.M. PRESBYTERIAN AT CLEMSON, ESPN3.COM
Replacing unanimous first-team All-American running back C.J. Spiller is not going to be an easy task for Clemson this season, but it seems as though the Tigers have found a nice pair of backs in Andre Ellington and Jamie Harper to at least try.
Ellington and Harper combined for 224 yards and three touchdowns against North Texas last week. When that is coupled with Presbyterian’s 415 rushing yards allowed against Wake Forest in their opening contest, there shouldn’t be any problems moving the ball for Clemson.
Prediction: Clemson 52 Presbyterian 3
3:30 P.M. KENT STATE AT BOSTON COLLEGE, ESPNU
Boston College quarterback Dave Shinskie had a rough go of it last Saturday against Weber State, completing just 50 percent of his passes and tossing two interceptions.
Kent State, on the other hand, hung 41 on Murray State last weekend, showing the potential for a big offensive day.
Yet, Boston College should handle their business, albeit closer than the Vegas line may predict.
Prediction: Boston College 31 Kent State 17
3:30 P.M. NO. 17 FLORIDA STATE AT NO. 10 OKLAHOMA, ABC
The first of two huge non-conference battles for ACC schools kicks off as Florida State travels to Norman to square off against Oklahoma.
This is a critical matchup for Seminoles quarterback Christian Ponder, whose Heisman campaign could hinge on his performance Saturday.
The Sooners had a potential scare against Utah State in their opener and barely escaped 31-24. Consequently, Florida State is going to come out swinging and take down Oklahoma on the road, giving head coach Jimbo Fisher his first signature win.
Prediction: Florida State 34 Oklahoma 28
3:40 P.M. NO. 12 MIAMI (FL) AT NO. 2 OHIO STATE, ESPN
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