Week 3 on the Line: Virginia Over Carolina

Last week on my selected picks, I was 4-2. I have to tell you, I really wanted to take South Carolina over Georgia, but chickened out. Wish I had that one back.

And Wake Forest! I can still see Brett Hodges throwing that interception in the end zone when the Deacons were driving against Nebraska with the chance to go ahead in the fourth. I was up screaming at my old, 1986 television set.

Before the season, I thought Virginia was going to be good. But in going one up and one down to open, they’ve been much less than that. Could it be because Coach Al Groh is just a big grump and they don’t want to play for him? I don’t know, but something is amiss in Cavalier land. The boo birds are out. The Hoos really weren’t good in beating Duke, and Groh’s guys deserved to hear it.

Now, even though Carolina lost in the final seconds at East Carolina, the Tar Heels are doing some impressive things. T.J. Yates is proving to be better than I ever thought, and he’s got some weapons to whom he can throw. But the running game is suspect, and the defense did let Patrick Pinkney throw at will. And of course those mistakes in the kicking game. Probably makes Butch Davis think about TV work again.

Two years ago, I watched Carolina win a 7-5 thriller against the Cavs. I slept through the third quarter. Last year in Charlottesville, Virginia drubbed a dispirited Carolina team 23-0.

This is a tough one. Every one I know says to pick Carolina. That would be the easy choice. However, something tells me to go with the Cavaliers. They have problems to be sure, but I think they have more talent than Carolina. A Virginia loss and Coach Groh may start looking for his luggage.

Conference USA always seems to go through the Golden Eagles. These guys are always good and, in conference play, hard to beat. Last yea,r ECU came from behind and upset Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg. Both teams come in at 1-1.

East Carolina is coming off two really good efforts. The way they played in the loss at Virginia Tech gave them confidence. Then last week’s win over Carolina gives them momentum. This will be a good game. Usually is. I asked a good friend of mine who played at Southern Miss back in the ‘80s what he thought. He said, “We’re not bad, but I think ECU will win by a touchdown.”

If a former Golden Eagle thinks that, so will I.

My pick to win the ACC’s Atlantic Division is Boston College, and I haven’t changed from that. They have two good wins to start the season. However, I’ve really liked the way Tech’s played as well.

The Jackets are at home. I like their defense. I like the way they run the ball. They’re quicker than B.C. and I believe better right now.

Georgia Tech at home is tough to go against.

I’m not sure what Northwestern has, but it has to be better than Duke. This is one of those games, though, in which Duke could end the nation’s longest losing streak This is a chance, and I would love to take Duke. But I won’t make that mistake again.

Northwestern should keep Duke’s few football fans frustrated.

Two traditionally great football programs with great fight songs and, so far, bad 2007 seasons. Somehow, I don’t think the Wolverines are as bad as the Irish. I do like both teams’ fight songs equally and can sing them on request, but I can’t see the Irish winning in Ann Arbor. Michigan will be a hungry, vicious Wolverine, and that is certainly scarier than that goofy little leprechaun.

I don’t think Michigan is awful. I do think the Irish could be. The Wolverines get it together, albeit against a team that looks good on the schedule but not the field.

This is the kind of game that young quarterback Harrison Beck needs. I think he’s got a great upside, and this is a game that could give him some confidence. State’s offensive line is struggling, but against Wofford it should be good enough.

State’s defense is not bad, and it will give the Terriers problems. It better, because if the Pack’s losing streak extends to 10, the anger coming out of Carter-Finley will reach a pitch that will be heard from Murphy to Manteo.

Tom O’Brien gets No. 1.

The Wolfpack is the easy pick.

So far for the season, I am 7-5. Not bad, but not good either.

Oh yeah. On Jeff’s 11 p.m. Friday picks, I’m in dead last.