DUKE 4-5 (1-4) @ CLEMSON 4-5 (2-4)
Both teams are coming off a loss (Duke fell to North Carolina State and Clemson lost to Florida State), making it a difficult road for either team to become bowl eligible.
This game will be crucial as Duke goes on to face the Hokies, while Clemson still has to face South Carolina in its final game of the regular season. The Blue Devils and the Tigers are very much alike, making this a game to watch this weekend.
One similarity is third-down conversion rate.
Clemson only has a 27-percent rate, while Duke boasts a 41-percent mark. The first quarter should be a good barometer on how the teams fare the rest of the game.
Clemson typically outscores its opponent in the opening 15 minutes, while Duke gets outscored. Both teams do not play well in the fourth, so if Duke can keep it close, it might be able to steal one from the underachieving Tigers.
WAKE FOREST 6-3 (4-2) @ NC STATE 3-6 (1-4)
The Wolfpack recently notched their first ACC victory against Duke, but face a tough test in Wake Forest. The Demon Deacons come into this game after beating Virginia at home. Wake cannot look past NC State if it wants to remain in the ACC title hunt.
Holding the tiebreaker over the Seminoles leaves Wake controlling its own destiny. If it wants to be a part of the title game in Jacksonville, it must improve its red-zone efficiency. Wake Forest only scores 73 percent of the time once it worms its way inside the 20-yard line, crossing the pylon only 45 percent of the time. NC State will be a tough test because the Wolfpack must win out to become bowl eligible. Look for this game to come down to the wire.
NORTH CAROLINA 7-2 (3-2) @ MARYLAND 6-3 (3-2)
After Darren Evans' stellar performance against the Terrapins, Maryland figures to take relief in facing a team that relies more on the pass than the run. This game is going to be a backbreaker for whoever loses. Can Maryland's defense step up and stop a Tar Heels' offense that scores 30.8 points per game? Can UNC get over its red-zone woes and score touchdowns rather than settling for field goals? The game features a lot of questions without a lot of answers. The key here will be the Maryland offense versus the North Carolina defense. Whoever prevails in that matchup should end up deciding the outcome.
BOSTON COLLEGE 6-3 (2-3) @ FLORIDA STATE 7-2 (4-2)
Boston College is backed into a corner. If it loses here, it's done and will be looking at a second-rate bowl game again. The Eagles' defense shutout an upstart Notre Dame team, but is facing one of the more prolific offenses in the ACC.
The Seminoles put up 35.9 points per game, while BC only allows 16.9. It's the classic offense-versus-defense battle. Florida State takes a lot of penalties. In their nine games, the Seminoles have seen the yellow handkerchief come out 76 times against them.
Besides worrying about shooting themselves in the foot, FSU must stop BC's dual-threat quarterback Chris Crane.
You might be interested in...- Tech trounced by Blue Devils in Durham
- Time to take perspective after rough loss at Duke
- Orange Bowl Blog
