Weekly Predictions (11-24-2007)
I'm working on a short week with Thanksgiving around the corner, so I got on this one early.
Anyway, last week I went 1-1 in the big games (Georgia made me look like a genius, Clemson made me look like I have the intelligence of Tommy Bowden).
It appears that it is going to be the ACC vs the SEC this week.
The big games I'm looking at are Virginia vs Virginia Tech and Clemson vs South Carolina.
Virginia vs Virginia Tech
Cavaliers (6-1, 9-2; 1st in Coastal)
Virginia is coming off a bye week, and previously a blowout victory over Miami (FL) and are looking to punch their ticket to take on Boston College to in Jacksonville.
The offense is led by the young QB Jameel Sewell (185-317-8, 1,977 yards 11 TDs). RB Cedric Peerman leads all rushers with 585 yards and 5 TDs. RB Mikell Simpson (319 yards, 6 TDs), Andrew Pearman (141 yards, 2 TDs), Keith Payne (219 yards, 2 TDs) and Sewell (228 yards, 2 TDs) also contribute to the run game. The passing game is spread to three main guys, Simpson (349 yards, 1 TD) , Jonathan Stupar (304 yards, 1 TD), and Tom Santi (361 yards, 3 TDs).
The offense averages 24 points per game, on 129 yards on the ground, and 208 yards passing.
The defense is led by Jon Copper (92 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 INTs), DE Chris Long (69 tackles, 12 sacks, 1 INT), and Jai Fitzgerald (55 tackles, 5 sacks, 2 INTs)
The defense gives up an average of 18 points per game, on 111 rushing yards and 202 yards passing.
Hokies (6-1, 9-2; 1st in Coastal)
Virginia Tech is coming off a blowout win over Miami (FL), and are looking, like the Cavs, to punch their ticket to Jacksonville.
The offense is led by a duo of QBs in Sean Glennon and Tyrod Taylor. Glennon has gone 99-161-2 for 1,202 yards and 7 TDs (136.1 QB rating) while Taylor has gone 64-119-2 for 849 yards and 5 TDs (124.2 QB rating). RB Brandon Ore has been slowed by injury this year, but has still put up 674 yards and 8 TDs on 194 carries. WRs Justin Harper, Josh Morgan, and Eddie Royal lead the receiving corps with a combined 86 catches for 1,205 yards and 10 TDs.
The offense is putting up about 29 points per game, on 137 yards on the ground and 190 through the air.
The defense is a cohesive, game changing unit that is led by LBs Xavier Adibi (94 tackles, 3 sacks, 1 INT), Vince Hall (74 tackles, 2 sacks), DE Chris Ellis (41 tackles, 7.5 sacks, 1 INT) and CBs Brandon Flowers (65 tackles, 4 INTs) and Victor "Macho" Harris (5 INTs, 25 tackles).
The defense is allowing roughly 15 points per game, a mere 85 yards on the ground but a polar opposite 204 yards through the air.
The Low-Down
This may be the biggest game in this rivalry in a good while, maybe even ever.
For once this game isn't just about bragging rights, but a shot at the ACC Title game and a shot at the ACC crown.
Both teams have shown they can win close games, and both teams will have to be at their best if they want a chance to win.
My Prediction
This is a hard game to predict.
Virginia has shown they have a quality that great teams have-the ability to win close games. They have won 5 games by a margin of 2 points or less, a sign of a good, finishing team.
Virginia Tech also has that quality.
Both teams play tough defense, and each use a offense that plays tough, and doesn't wow you with a lot of big plays, but they also don't make a lot of mistakes.
I predict the winner of this game will be the one that wins the turnover battle, and converts those turnovers to points.
One underlying factor I'd pay close attention to is Beamer ball. VT has shown they don't need an offense to beat you, rather a tough D and explosive special teams.
Virginia 20
Virginia Tech 24
Clemson vs South Carolina
Tigers (5-3, 8-3)
Clemson is coming off a heart breaker to Boston College; a game that saw them lose their shot at the ACC Title game.
The offense is led by QB Cullen Harper (240-362-5 for 2,658 yards and 26 TDs). The running game is headed by RBs James Davis (870 yards and 9 TDs on 168 carries) and C.J. Spiller (568 yards and 2 TDs on 121 carries). The wide receivers are led by Aaron Kelly (911 yards, 11 TDs) and Tyler Grisham (606 yards and 4 TDs).
The offense averages 37 points per game on 165 yards rushing and roughly 260 yards passing.
The defense is led by LB Nick Watkins, S Michael Hamlin, and DE Phillip Merling and Ricky Sapp.
The defense gives up on average 18 points per game on 121 rushing yards and 162 yards passing.
Gamecocks (3-5, 6-5)
South Carolina is coming in off a much needed bye week, and have dropped their last 4 games.
The offense is led by QB Blake Mitchell (134-224-7 for 1,463 yards and 7 TDs), RB Cory Boyd (829 yards and 9 TDs on 161 carries), and WR Kenny McKinley (843 yards and 7 TDs on 69 catches).
The offense averages about 27 points per game on 117 rushing yards and 256 passing yards.
The defense is led by S Emmanuel Cook (83 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 INTs), DE Eric Norwood (60 tackles, 5 sacks) and S Darian Stewart (62 tackles, 2 INTs).
The defense gives up about 24 points per game on nearly 210 yards rushing and 163 passing yards.
The Low Down
Throw everything out the window! It is the "Battle of the Palmetto State", and anything can happen.
USC needs this win to improve its bowl standing, and Clemson is trying to do the same.
Both programs are also trying to put a high point on what both can view as disappointing seasons.
My Prediction
Another tough game.
Both teams at times look unstoppable, while other times they resemble JV teams.
Clemson needs to commit to the run and exploit the previously weak USC run defense, and then hit big plays with the pass.
Clemson also needs its receivers to be consistent, and stop dropping balls-something that cost them at the end of the BC game.
USC needs to hope they sured up the D in the bye week, and hope the offense gets hot early.
USC also needs both WR Dion Lecorn and TE/WR Jared Cook to step up big in the receiving game, because McKinley is probably going to get doubled and/or blanketed in the Clemson zone scheme. Also, USC needs their Oline to have a big game, open holes for the run, and for their tackles to block the Merling and Sapp-not an easy task judging from the past Oline play.
Emotion also will be key.
USC should be reguvinated and ready to go.
Clemson will be ready, but the state of their emotion after the tough BC loss will be in question.
The parody of last year is also relevant. Last year the Clemson D got a bad case of the injury bug, and now that bug has traveled to Columbia, and it has bitten LB Jasper Brinkley, DT Nathan Pepper, S Brandon Isaac, and, just recently, CB Captain Munnerlyn.
South Carolina 30
Clemson 23
*For the rest of the games this week:
BC over Miami (FL)
NC State over Maryland
Wake over Vandy
Georgia over GT
UNC over Duke
Florida over Florida State
Miss. State over Ole Miss.
LSU over Arkansas
Kentucky over Tennessee
Auburn over Alabama
Mizzou over Kansas
Boise State over Hawaii
*Looks like I have the SEC and ACC splitting at 2-2.
Previous 12 Weeks: 88-35 (72%)
Week 1: 8-3
Week 2: 9-0
Week 3: 6-3
Week 4: 7-1
Week 5: 7-2
Week 6: 7-2
Week 7: 6-3
Week 8: 8-4
Week 9: 7-4
Week 10: 8-4
Week 11: 7-5
Week 12:8-4
Anyway, last week I went 1-1 in the big games (Georgia made me look like a genius, Clemson made me look like I have the intelligence of Tommy Bowden).
It appears that it is going to be the ACC vs the SEC this week.
The big games I'm looking at are Virginia vs Virginia Tech and Clemson vs South Carolina.
Virginia vs Virginia Tech
Cavaliers (6-1, 9-2; 1st in Coastal)
Virginia is coming off a bye week, and previously a blowout victory over Miami (FL) and are looking to punch their ticket to take on Boston College to in Jacksonville.
The offense is led by the young QB Jameel Sewell (185-317-8, 1,977 yards 11 TDs). RB Cedric Peerman leads all rushers with 585 yards and 5 TDs. RB Mikell Simpson (319 yards, 6 TDs), Andrew Pearman (141 yards, 2 TDs), Keith Payne (219 yards, 2 TDs) and Sewell (228 yards, 2 TDs) also contribute to the run game. The passing game is spread to three main guys, Simpson (349 yards, 1 TD) , Jonathan Stupar (304 yards, 1 TD), and Tom Santi (361 yards, 3 TDs).
The offense averages 24 points per game, on 129 yards on the ground, and 208 yards passing.
The defense is led by Jon Copper (92 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 INTs), DE Chris Long (69 tackles, 12 sacks, 1 INT), and Jai Fitzgerald (55 tackles, 5 sacks, 2 INTs)
The defense gives up an average of 18 points per game, on 111 rushing yards and 202 yards passing.
Hokies (6-1, 9-2; 1st in Coastal)
Virginia Tech is coming off a blowout win over Miami (FL), and are looking, like the Cavs, to punch their ticket to Jacksonville.
The offense is led by a duo of QBs in Sean Glennon and Tyrod Taylor. Glennon has gone 99-161-2 for 1,202 yards and 7 TDs (136.1 QB rating) while Taylor has gone 64-119-2 for 849 yards and 5 TDs (124.2 QB rating). RB Brandon Ore has been slowed by injury this year, but has still put up 674 yards and 8 TDs on 194 carries. WRs Justin Harper, Josh Morgan, and Eddie Royal lead the receiving corps with a combined 86 catches for 1,205 yards and 10 TDs.
The offense is putting up about 29 points per game, on 137 yards on the ground and 190 through the air.
The defense is a cohesive, game changing unit that is led by LBs Xavier Adibi (94 tackles, 3 sacks, 1 INT), Vince Hall (74 tackles, 2 sacks), DE Chris Ellis (41 tackles, 7.5 sacks, 1 INT) and CBs Brandon Flowers (65 tackles, 4 INTs) and Victor "Macho" Harris (5 INTs, 25 tackles).
The defense is allowing roughly 15 points per game, a mere 85 yards on the ground but a polar opposite 204 yards through the air.
The Low-Down
This may be the biggest game in this rivalry in a good while, maybe even ever.
For once this game isn't just about bragging rights, but a shot at the ACC Title game and a shot at the ACC crown.
Both teams have shown they can win close games, and both teams will have to be at their best if they want a chance to win.
My Prediction
This is a hard game to predict.
Virginia has shown they have a quality that great teams have-the ability to win close games. They have won 5 games by a margin of 2 points or less, a sign of a good, finishing team.
Virginia Tech also has that quality.
Both teams play tough defense, and each use a offense that plays tough, and doesn't wow you with a lot of big plays, but they also don't make a lot of mistakes.
I predict the winner of this game will be the one that wins the turnover battle, and converts those turnovers to points.
One underlying factor I'd pay close attention to is Beamer ball. VT has shown they don't need an offense to beat you, rather a tough D and explosive special teams.
Virginia 20
Virginia Tech 24
Clemson vs South Carolina
Tigers (5-3, 8-3)
Clemson is coming off a heart breaker to Boston College; a game that saw them lose their shot at the ACC Title game.
The offense is led by QB Cullen Harper (240-362-5 for 2,658 yards and 26 TDs). The running game is headed by RBs James Davis (870 yards and 9 TDs on 168 carries) and C.J. Spiller (568 yards and 2 TDs on 121 carries). The wide receivers are led by Aaron Kelly (911 yards, 11 TDs) and Tyler Grisham (606 yards and 4 TDs).
The offense averages 37 points per game on 165 yards rushing and roughly 260 yards passing.
The defense is led by LB Nick Watkins, S Michael Hamlin, and DE Phillip Merling and Ricky Sapp.
The defense gives up on average 18 points per game on 121 rushing yards and 162 yards passing.
Gamecocks (3-5, 6-5)
South Carolina is coming in off a much needed bye week, and have dropped their last 4 games.
The offense is led by QB Blake Mitchell (134-224-7 for 1,463 yards and 7 TDs), RB Cory Boyd (829 yards and 9 TDs on 161 carries), and WR Kenny McKinley (843 yards and 7 TDs on 69 catches).
The offense averages about 27 points per game on 117 rushing yards and 256 passing yards.
The defense is led by S Emmanuel Cook (83 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 INTs), DE Eric Norwood (60 tackles, 5 sacks) and S Darian Stewart (62 tackles, 2 INTs).
The defense gives up about 24 points per game on nearly 210 yards rushing and 163 passing yards.
The Low Down
Throw everything out the window! It is the "Battle of the Palmetto State", and anything can happen.
USC needs this win to improve its bowl standing, and Clemson is trying to do the same.
Both programs are also trying to put a high point on what both can view as disappointing seasons.
My Prediction
Another tough game.
Both teams at times look unstoppable, while other times they resemble JV teams.
Clemson needs to commit to the run and exploit the previously weak USC run defense, and then hit big plays with the pass.
Clemson also needs its receivers to be consistent, and stop dropping balls-something that cost them at the end of the BC game.
USC needs to hope they sured up the D in the bye week, and hope the offense gets hot early.
USC also needs both WR Dion Lecorn and TE/WR Jared Cook to step up big in the receiving game, because McKinley is probably going to get doubled and/or blanketed in the Clemson zone scheme. Also, USC needs their Oline to have a big game, open holes for the run, and for their tackles to block the Merling and Sapp-not an easy task judging from the past Oline play.
Emotion also will be key.
USC should be reguvinated and ready to go.
Clemson will be ready, but the state of their emotion after the tough BC loss will be in question.
The parody of last year is also relevant. Last year the Clemson D got a bad case of the injury bug, and now that bug has traveled to Columbia, and it has bitten LB Jasper Brinkley, DT Nathan Pepper, S Brandon Isaac, and, just recently, CB Captain Munnerlyn.
South Carolina 30
Clemson 23
*For the rest of the games this week:
BC over Miami (FL)
NC State over Maryland
Wake over Vandy
Georgia over GT
UNC over Duke
Florida over Florida State
Miss. State over Ole Miss.
LSU over Arkansas
Kentucky over Tennessee
Auburn over Alabama
Mizzou over Kansas
Boise State over Hawaii
*Looks like I have the SEC and ACC splitting at 2-2.
Previous 12 Weeks: 88-35 (72%)
Week 1: 8-3
Week 2: 9-0
Week 3: 6-3
Week 4: 7-1
Week 5: 7-2
Week 6: 7-2
Week 7: 6-3
Week 8: 8-4
Week 9: 7-4
Week 10: 8-4
Week 11: 7-5
Week 12:8-4
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