Conference season is well and truly upon us as ten ACC teams square up in Week 6. Two ranked teams in Maryland and Florida State face-off in what should be a cracking match.
Conference Games
No. 3 Clemson @ Syracuse
Dabo Swinney and his Clemson team will travel to Syracuse for the first time and shouldn’t expect a run-of-the-mill victory. After starting 0-2 the ‘Cuse have bounced back by outscoring their last two opponents 106-17. The Orange’s turnaround can largely be credited to the play of quarterback Terrell Hunt. Hunt came into the starting line-up and immediately turned the offense around. The sophmore has thrown seven touchdowns and no interceptions in the last two games.
Since an impressive opening week win against Georgia, Clemson’s offense has eased through games against South Carolina State, NC State and Wake Forest. Syracuse will be their first test since week one and I expect to see Tajh Boyd and Sammy Watkins bring their A game.
No. 25 Maryland @ No. 8 Florida State
The marquee match-up in the ACC this week, Maryland will travel to Florida State fresh off a bye week. The Terrapins’ last outing was a convincing victory over West Virginia, a win made more impressive by the Mountaineers triumph over Oklahoma State last week. Maryland has conceded just 41 points in the first four games and will need the defense at their best against Jameis Winston and the Seminoles’ rushing attack.
Florida State will be hoping to have a win in the bag early this week, as a trip to Clemson next week will ultimately decide their ACC fate.
Georgia Tech @ No. 14 Miami
The Hurricanes have outscored opponents by 32.8 points per game in their best start in nine seasons. ‘Canes’ quarterback Stephen Morris is playing through an ankle injury, however, he still completed 68.8% of his passes including two touchdowns last week. The senior has improved with every game and is beginning to find a groove.
Georgia Tech’s perfect record was spoiled last week when they met a Virginia Tech. Vad Lee had his worst outing of the season and the triple-option offense will bounce back and test Miami, although I expect the Hurricanes to remain undefeated.
NC State @ Wake Forest
NC State’s only loss thus far in 2013 came at the hands of no.3 Clemson. The Wolfpack have had some truly awful play from quarterback Pete Thomas but have survived thanks to a strong running game. The Demon Deacons have conceded 123 points through five games making the Week 6 match-up a good opportunity for Thomas to get his eye in.
Wake Forest have suffered losses at the hands of Clemson, LA-Monroe and Boston College so far and I fully expect NC State to compile their misery.
North Carolina @ Virginia Tech
Logan Thomas and the Virginia Tech offense finally found a groove in Week 5 with an impressive win over Georgia Tech. Senior quarterback Thomas will face a dreadful North Carolina defense in which he can expect to boost his confidence ahead of a long conference schedule.
North Carolina’s offense continues to disappoint despite possessing a strong quarterback in Bryn Renner and play-making tight end Eric Ebron. Last week’s loss to East Carolina was the latest in a string of woeful performances and facing Bud Foster’s Virginia Tech defense is the last thing they need.
Non-Conference Games
Ball St @ Virginia
Virginia’s offense mustered just three points in a loss to Pittsburgh last week as quarterback David Watford continues to throw the ball more than necessary. The Cavaliers must begin to establish a presence on the ground to protect Watford and his wayward arm. Daniel Hamm and Khalek Shepherd have been used sparingly with Kevin Parks given most of the responsibilities on the ground. Sharing the wealth would be a help to Parks who is averaging 4.1 yards per carry.
Ball State will be a tough test for Virginia, but it’s a match they should win if the right tactics are applied.
Army @ Boston College
It has been a mixed bag for Boston College in 2013. After starting 2-0 they have slumped to .500 with defeats to USC and Florida State, both admittedly touch encounters. The Eagles, however, will be encouraged by the 34 points they scored on a strong Seminoles defense.
While Army are never a push-over, quarterback Chase Rettig has enough weapons at his disposal to get Boston College to 3-2. Senior running back Andre Williams showed his mettle last week and will pick up where he left off against Florida State. Wide receiver Alex Amidon is also trying to regain the form he began the season with. Expect the Eagles to come out strongly against the Army Black Knights.