It has been a hectic week with the John Bunting dismissal at Carolina. Some big games coming up this weekend, and among other things, it will be interesting to see what happens to the rest of UNC's season with Bunting still on the sideline for the next five games. It can't get any worse, can it?
Last week in my six picks I went 4-2 missing Maryland's win over N.C. State and Boston College's win at Florida State.
Here we go:
Wake Forest at Carolina. The Demon Deacons are having a dream season so far at 6-1. As we all know, Carolina is living a bad dream that has cost John Bunting his job. I don't see how Bunting's continuing for the next five games is going to make this woeful team play any better. If they wanted to play for the coach they should have done it through the first six.
The Deacons are a good, well-coached team, and I don't see their season being spoiled by Carolina. My pick is Wake Forest.
N.C. State at Virginia. I have a friend who begged me not to pick State. He says every time I do, they lose. He may have a point. State comes in at 3-4. Virginia, which is improving is 3-5. Both are 2-2 in their respective divisions. State has lost two straight and the thrill of those victories over Boston College and Florida State is well in the past.
Virginia is better, but I don't think they're as good as State. If the Pack loses, Chuck Amato will be hearing it from State fans. He won't get the John Bunting treatment, but it he won't find it reaffirming.
This game on WRAL-TV at noon, and I think State will get it done. My pick is the Wolfpack.
Vanderbilt at Duke. You had to like the Devils' effort against a depleted Miami team last week. They almost pulled it out. Duke hasn't won, but this young team hasn't given up and is getting better. If Duke is going to play an SEC team, they should play Vanderbilt.
The Commodores won at Georgia. If they can win at Georgia, they can sure win at Duke. Duke may be better, but my pick is Vanderbilt.
Miami at Georgia Tech. The winner takes over first outright in the Coastal Division. Georgia. Tech was walloped at Clemson last week. Miami has its players back after the week's suspension. Last year, Tech stunned the Canes.
Ga. Tech is favored. They're playing at home, but for some strange reason, I like Miami. Maybe it's because they were supposed to be what the new expanded ACC was all about. My shaky pick is Miami.
Florida State at Maryland. How the mighty have fallen! Florida State is really not very good, and it's odd to watch them and realize how they've fallen. The once mighty 'Noles are in last place in the Atlantic Division. However, there is still talent there with big play potential. And darn it, they're still Florida State.
Maryland is getting better, but at best, they're just OK. They almost blew it last week against State. My pick is Florida State. The Seminoles win in College Park.
East Carolina at Southern Mississippi. The Pirates come in at 3-4 while Southern Mississippi is 4-3. I just don't see ECU, no matter how much they've improved, winning down there. Do you? My pick is Southern Mississippi.
I'll be covering the Wake Forest-Carolina game on Saturday. It will be interesting just to see how Carolina reacts to the Bunting situation. Not just the players but the crowd. Will Carolina rally behind a lame duck coach or will they just fold the tent? I think they'll play hard, but it shouldn't matter because Wake Forest is better.
I also think if State can beat Virginia, they still have a shot at the Atlantic Division. I know it may be a long shot and it will take a win at Clemson but they do have the tie breaker with Boston College. You never know.
See you next week!
