Collegiate Times

Duke at Stanford

Even after losing Andrew Luck and Colby Fleener, Stanford’s still got the talent to make some noise in the Pac-12 this season. Meanwhile, Duke is simply looking to become bowl eligible this season after beating Florida International last week.

It remains to be known if Stanford’s worthy of its No. 25 ranking, but regardless, it should make quick work of Duke at home. Josh Nunes likely won’t fill the massive gap left by Luck, but he and the rest of the Cardinal’s young offense is head and shoulders better than Duke’s.

Not to say that Duke doesn’t have a chance, though. Quarterback Sean Renfree and receiver Conner Vernon are a lethal combo for the Blue Devils, which can abuse any secondary matched up against them. But the Cardinal's certainly look to be more than Duke can handle and it would be a major upset if the Blue Devils somehow pulled off a win.

UNC at Wake Forest

Both teams won their season openers but in entirely different fashions. The Tar Heels exerted their dominance over Elon, as they should have — showing off a new spread offense under head coach Larry Fedora. Wake Forest, meanwhile, had a tough time with Liberty, winning 20-17.

North Carolina’s defense lcould be one of the best in the ACC and quarterback Bryn Renner looks like he’s on track to match last season’s impressive campaign in the new look offense.

Down the road in Wake Forest, the Demon Deacons’ offense sputtered and produced only 20 points. If Wake is to pull the upset, someone is going to have to step up and produce after running back Josh Harris left last week’s game with a concussion. The team has no real offensive weapons the UNC defense will be afraid of

Wake Forest is a considerable step up from Elon, but just like last week, the Tar Heels should get the win. And don’t be surprised to see them crack the top 25 come Sunday too

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A version of this article appeared in the Sep 7 issue of the Collegiate Times.