Week three of the college football season is shaping up to be quite a test for the ACC. Four teams go up against ranked non-conference opponents, and there are two conference games being played (Virginia vs. North Carolina and Boston College vs. Duke). That being said, here are the five biggest games of the week.
No. 18 West Virginia (2-0, 0-0 Big East) at Maryland (1-0, 1-0 ACC)
West Virginia has started its 2011 season on a strong note under new head coach Dana Holgorsen, with wins over Marshall and Norfolk State. However, the Mountaineers will face their first BCS-conference opponent this week in Maryland and look to continue a five-game winning streak against the Terrapins. Quarterback Geno Smith leads the offensive attack, and has six touchdowns and no interceptions through two games.
Maryland debuted under new head coach Randy Edsall on Labor Day by beating Miami in thrilling fashion. Edsall pointed out in a news conference on Tuesday the importance of the team’s rivalry with West Virginia.
“I can remember when I was in here being announced as the head coach I had people telling me that I had to beat West Virginia,” he said. “I understand the importance with them being a neighboring state.”
If the Terps want to avenge their 31-17 loss last season, they need redshirt sophomore quarterback Danny O’Brien to step up. O’Brien had a sharp debut against the Hurricanes, completing 31 of 44 passes for 348 yards, however he will face West Virginia’s unusual 3-3-5 defense this week which could pose problems.
Prediction: Maryland 31, West Virginia 28
No. 17 Ohio State (2-0, 0-0 Big Ten) at Miami (FL) (0-1, 0-1 ACC)
The game between these two teams might as well be renamed the “Ineligi-Bowl,” as both Ohio State and Miami are embroiled in controversy with the NCAA.
Former Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel resigned on May 30 amid a tattoo parlor scandal detailed by Sports Illustrated. Miami also found itself in the center of controversy after Yahoo! Sports reported booster Nevin Shapiro gave improper benefits to more than 70 athletes from 2002 to 2010.
Nonetheless, the Buckeyes under head coach Luck Fickell are undefeated so far, although they scraped by Toledo last week, 27-22. Quarterback Joe Bauserman has filled in admirably for the departed Terrelle Pryor, who is now a member of the Oakland Raiders after leaving Ohio State. Bauserman has thrown for four touchdowns and no interceptions in his first year starting. Fickell explained in a news conference how the team is moving forward from the controversy around the program.
“We hope and we think that this is what the game is all about, to be able to handle adversity and we believe it’s going to make us stronger in the long run,” he said. “As long as we continue to handle it in the right way, and communicate better in every aspect that we can, but it comes from the top down.”
Miami, on the other hand, will give the keys to the offense back to Jacory Harris after he served a one-game suspension for his involvement in the Nevin Shapiro controversy. Harris will take over for Stephen Morris, who completed 19 of 28 passes for 195 yards with zero touchdowns and two interceptions against Maryland. First-year head coach Al Golden explained his decision to Joe Rose on 560 WQAM on Monday.
“His maturity and experience in terms of our operation will give us the best chance to win this game,” he said. “Period.”
Prediction: Ohio State 28, Miami 21
A version of this article appeared in the Sep 17 issue of the Collegiate Times.
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