As the season begins to wind down every ACC team is in action. Most eyes will be on Duke @ Wake Forest in anticipations of the Blue Devils’ ninth win and push for a BCS ranking. Elsewhere, Florida State and Clemson should ease through their games while a number of teams hovering around the .500 mark face-off. All that and more in the ACC Week 13 preview.
Conference Games
Duke @ Wake Forest
8-2. That is the record Duke coaches, players and fans woke up to Sunday morning after they overcame Miami to take control of the ACC Coastal.
If the Blue Devils hold on to win the ACC Coastal they will be more than deserved winners and their BCS ranking can’t come sooner. Duke’s offense is putting up 39 points per game behind the dual-quarterback system of Anthony Boone and Brandon Connette – the latter, in my opinion, should be considered as a full-time quarterback and not just a situational runner. As well as the quarterbacks, running backs Jela Duncan and Josh Snead have moved the rock consistently on the ground while wide receiver Jamison Crowder has 956 receiving yards and two kicks returned for touchdowns. All this is far too much for Wake Forest to handle, who have scored just three points in the last two games. Michael Campanaro’s injury has crippled the offense and their season thanks to three losses in a row.
Pittsburgh @ Syracuse
Both sides suffered miserable outings in Week 11 - Syracuse were embarrassed by Florida State while Pittsburgh followed their win over Notre Dame with a loss at home to North Carolina.
The ‘Cuse are 99th in the FBS in points scored having only broken the 20-point mark on one occasion in 2013. A strong rushing attack led by Jerome Smith and Prince-Tyson Gulley will give them a chance but head coach Scott Shafer must draw up a flawless game plan.
Pittsburgh’s loss to the Tar Heels will have left a sour taste in the mouth after their impressive outing against Notre Dame. This week’s tie will see them go back to basics and milk running backs Isaac Bennett and James Conner. Quarterback Tom Savage has been at his best when he can use the running game to slow down defenses which has also benefitted receivers Devin Street and Tyler Boyd. Boyd in particular looks like a star of the future.
Both sides are .500 on the season but I anticipate the Panthers to take win number six.
Boston College @ Maryland
Both teams head into this encounter with a respectable 6-4 record after Maryland stopped the rot with a win over Virginia Tech in Week 12.
Maryland, much like Wake Forest, have struggled since star receiver Stefon Diggs was lost with a broken leg. However, quarterback C.J. Brown returned to full strength last week and led his men to 27 points against the Hokies’ tireless defense. The Terrapins have enough strength and depth to cause Boston College problems and will be full of confidence after last week.
The Eagles are on a late-season high thanks to a three-game winning streak. Andre Williams has had a season for the ages. The senior is on the brink of a famous 2,000 yard season rushing for 634 yards in the last two weeks. Chase Rettig is managing games well from quarterback and will fancy his chances against Maryland. I think Williams’ rich run of form will lift Boston College to its seventh win.
Virginia @ Miami
Virginia has not won a game since September 21st and I don’t see that changing any time soon despite coming up against a vulnerable Miami.
The Hurricanes have looked a shell of their former self since Florida State handed them their first loss of the season. Before that loss The U were surrendering just 17.7 points per game but since have gave up an astonishing 43.6. Duke Johnson is missing from the backfield and Dallas Crawford has done a steady job in his absence. Between Crawford, quarterback Stephen Morris and receiver Allen Hurns - who is approaching 1,000 receiving yards – Miami should have more than enough to see this one out.
Non-Conference Games
Idaho @ No. 2 Florida State
Florida State will go in search of win number 11 against the one-win Idaho.
Much like last week’s walk-over win against Syracuse I fully expect the Seminoles to dominate from the off and have their back-ups in the game at some points in the second half. The ‘Noles rank second in the FBS in points scored per game (52.7) and third in points against per game (11.1), while the Vandals on the other hand rank outside the top 70 in all categories.
This will be another blowout win that cements Jameis Winston atop Heisman Trophy voting.
Citadel @ No. 7 Clemson
With national championship and ACC championship hopes all but over it’s now up to Clemson to win out and secure a spot in the Orange Bowl. With that in mind a trip to South Carolina next week is a much bigger priority than Citadel.
Tajh Boyd and Sammy Watkins have been unstoppable of late, with the latter going over 100 receiving yards seven times this season. The Tigers’ attack has also seen a lot more balance since the defeat to Florida State, running back Roderick McDowell is on course for a 1,000 yard season. Expect to see Boyd and Co. coming out of the blocks fast before seeing the game out.
Old Dominion @ North Carolina
Old Dominion faced ACC opponents twice earlier in the season and lost both games by a combined 82-34. North Carolina are rolling of late and will win their fifth game in a row.
Marquise Williams has taken the reins under centre and, despite not blowing the competition away he has found ways to win games. The sophomore has 12 total touchdowns and leads the team in rushing yards with 326. The lack of rushing attack puts pressure on Williams to fill both voids. However, tight end Eric Ebron is the perfect go-to outlet while Ryan Switzer consistently gives the Tar Heels good position in the return game.
Alabama A&M @ Gerogia Tech
Georgia Tech will be in rebound mode after losing to Clemson last week. This week’s match should see the home side win their seventh game of the season and send them well on their way to a bowl game.
A mid-season slump robbed the Yellow Jackets of any involvement in the ACC Coastal race that was anybody’s for the taking had any Miami’s late-season collapse been anticipated. Georgia Tech will head into the game with Alabama A&M with a lot of confidence that their triple-option attack will prevail and take some pressure off next week’s game against Georgia. Robert Godhigh was unstoppable against the Tigers a week ago with over 200 total yards and will lead the attack again in Week 13.
East Carolina @ NC State
NC State could become East Carolina’s second ACC victim this season as they hope to end a six game skid.
The Pirates dispatched North Carolina earlier in the season after they narrowly missed out on taking the scalp of Virginia Tech.
NC State have been dreadful all year with no identity on offense. Quarterback Pete Thomas has looked lost in all facets of the game – throwing nine interceptions to just four touchdowns and averaging a meagre 2.3 yards per carry. Shadrach Thornton has performed admirably at running back but the non-existent quarterback play has seen the Wolfpack trail almost from the off in every game.
East Carolina should clinch their ninth win of their season as they continue towards a Conference USA title.