Last week, I went 4-1 on my selected picks, missing only the Wake Forest-Mississippi matchup. Got to hand it to the Deacons -- they lose their starting quarterback and their No. 1 running back to injury and they still continue to win. Hats off to them. We’ll see if they can continue that when they play someone else besides Duke in the conference. How about this prediction? Wake Forest will not run the table.
Anyway, this week Carolina’s off to nurse the wounds of that 52-7 humiliation at Clemson. Right now things are looking very dire for John Bunting and the Tar Heels. They just aren’t a very good football team.
Meanwhile, State is also off but with the opposite feeling from Carolina. The Wolfpack is resting on the laurels of that miraculous 17-15 comeback win over Boston College. I think the Pack’s in the thick of it now, hosting Florida State on Oct. 5. And of course, the days of Florida State scaring the rest of the ACC are long gone, and since Chuck Amato’s been at State, I don’t think the Pack’s ever been afraid of them.
So here are my selected picks for this week.
Duke over Virginia. These may be the worst two teams in the conference. Well, throw Carolina in there as well. Virginia’s the favorite, but I’ve got a feeling about the Devils playing on the hallowed turf of Wade Stadium. Wonder if anybody will come to the game?Ga. Tech over Va. Tech. It’s always tough to pick against the Hokies at home, but I’m doing it. Two tough defenses but I think the Jackets may have more offense.
Miami over Houston. Houston’s pretty good. They haven’t lost yet and they can move the ball. Third in the country in total offense and fifth in passing, but if Miami can’t win this one, Larry Coker should starting packing up the office.Ohio State over Iowa. The Buckeyes are No. 1 in the country, playing on the road at 13th-ranked Iowa. Should be a barn-burner, but Ohio State is Ohio State and they'll win it.Wake Forest over Liberty. I owe the Deacons one from last week.By the way, can you believe Duke’s schedule after the Virginia game? Alabama, Florida State and Miami all in a row. They better win this one. They may not have any players left after that stretch.
