Following a weekend in which all of the ranked Atlantic Coast Conference teams lost, the conference will look to turn things around. This week will prove to be a challenge as many teams will be playing ranked opponents for the first time this season.
Here’s a breakdown of each game:
7:30 P.M. THURSDAY, CINCINNATI at NORTH CAROLINA STATE, ESPN
An intriguing battle between the Bearcats and the Wolfpack kicks off the college football weekend.
If Cincinnati does not pick up a win against NC State, the Bearcats may be facing a 1-3 start, while the Wolfpack would improve to 3-0.
If all goes as planned for Cincinnati, this game will serve as a tune-up to next week’s anticipated match up against Oklahoma.
Cincinnati will be NC State’s last out-of-conference game for a while, so the team hopes to gain momentum going into the ACC portion of its schedule.
Predicted winner: Cincinnati
NOON, GEORGIA TECH at NORTH CAROLINA, ACC NETWORK
Last season, Georgia Tech and North Carolina were two of the more successful teams in the ACC. This season, both teams have significantly different rosters for one reason or another.
Georgia Tech ranks second in the nation in rushing offense with 331.5 yards per game. Yet, following its loss to Kansas on Saturday, the Yellow Jackets are unranked for the first time since September 2009.
The most interesting matchup on the field will be between the quarterbacks, the Tar Heels’ T.J.Yates and the Yellow Jackets’ Josh Nesbitt.
Predicted winner: UNC
NOON, MARYLAND at No. 21 WEST VIRGINIA, ESPNU
In one of the most exciting matchups of the weekend, Maryland will try to slow the momentum of the Mountaineers following their come-from-behind, overtime win against Marshall.
Both teams are 2-0 headed into the contest in Morgantown, and the Terps will try to snap their three-game losing streak in Morgantown.
So far this season, the Mountaineers have averaged 435.5 yards per game while scoring 27.5 points per game. Meanwhile, the defense is holding opponents to 10.5 points per game.
Even though it will be a tough fight, and an overall good football game, the Mountaineers will be successful against the Terps.
Predicted winner: WVU
1:30 P.M., EAST CAROLINIA at VIRGINIA TECH, ESPN3.COM
The Hokies are still looking for their first win of the season and will get another shot against the East Carolina Pirates.
This is no small feat, as the Hokies have struggled against the Pirates over the past few seasons, including an opening game loss two years ago.
ECU is 2-0 following wins against Tulsa in its season-opening overtime thriller and a commanding 49-27 win over Memphis last week.
It will be interesting to see if the Hokies can finally utilize their running game to earn win No. 1.
Predicted winner: Hokies
3:30 P.M., No. 1 ALABAMA at DUKE, ABC
After a high-scoring defeat at the hands of Wake Forest, the Blue Devils will have their hands full against the Alabama Crimson Tide.
With a 1-1 record, Duke will have a tall task containing the defending national champions’ prolific offense, led by quarterback Greg McElroy, wide receiver Julio Jones and running back Mark Ingram. Ingram is last year’s Heisman winner and will be making his season debut following offseason knee surgery.
Alabama already has 1,000 yards of total offense on the season, while the Duke defense has given up 81 points to its opponents.
This could be a long day for the Blue Devils.
Predicted winner: Alabama
3:30 P.M., BYU at FLORIDA STATE, ESPNU
Following Saturday’s blowout loss to Oklahoma, Florida State will look to rebound against Brigham Young.
FSU head coach Jimbo Fisher saw his defense give up 487 total yards of offense to the Sooners. Although BYU’s offense is not nearly as complex as Oklahoma’s, FSU will still have its hands full.
The Seminoles will be facing a duo of quarterbacks in junior Riley Nelson and freshman Jake Heaps. Nelson and Heaps will be playing alternating series in a more situational offense.
Predicted winner: FSU
A version of this article appeared in the Sep 17 issue of the Collegiate Times.
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