Weekly Predictions: Week 14
Well, I had a rough week. My headliners I went 0-2 as GT spanked Miami and Oklahoma blew TT out of the water.
One good thing came out of it, I figured out the ACC title picture. For Florida State to hold onto their 1st place Atlantic standing: Their destiny is out of their hands, and it all depends on the Boston College Maryland game. If Maryland wins, they tie FSU with the 'Noles holding the tie-break, and FSU goes to the ACC title game. If BC wins, they tie FSU, and the Eagles hold the tie break and go to the title game.
Now, for Georgia Tech to hold onto their 1st place Coastal position, they also depend on another game, since they play Georgia this week. 2nd place Miami is out even with a win over NC State, since the Jackets hold the tie-break. The key is the VT-UVA game. If Virginia wins, the Jackets go to the title game, and if the Hokies win, then they hold the tie-break over the Jackets and they head to the ACC title game.
Got a heahache yet? Wait till you see the picks this week.
Gamecocks (7-4, 4-4 SEC)
South Carolina is coming off a bye week. It seems now that Steve Spurrier has settled on a QB to finish out the season, and it is Chris Smelley. WR Kenny McKinley and TE Jared Cook will have to have big games. The big question mark will be runningback. Will Mike Davis have a final game to remember? Will Eric Baker hold onto the ball? Will we even see Bobby Wallace?
The Defense will be the star of this game though. The defensive backfield is loaded with safeties. Chris Culliver, Emmanuel Cook, Darian Stewart are all hard-hitting, and linebacker Jasper Brinkley (who missed last years game) will also be there.
Tigers (6-5, 4-4 ACC)
Clemson is on a two game win streak-be it over Duke and 13-3 victory over Virginia last week. QB Cullen Harper seems to have settled down and gotten into a groove more resemblant to last season, and WR Aaron Kelly has been catching everything. RBs James Davis and CJ Spiller have also been consistent on the ground. Will it carry over into the SC game, in what will be their last game as Clemson Tigers? (Harper, Kelly, and Davis are seniors, Spiller will probably go to the NFL).
The defense is fast, although sometimes has trouble with teams that run right at them, like Alabama. Safety Michael Hamlin is a certain pro prospect and probably a late first day pick in the draft. Ends Ricky Sapp and DaQuan Bowers bring heat from the outside, while freshman linebacker Brandon Maye brings intensity.
Breakdown
Neither offense is really that good against top talent, but the edge goes to Clemson with gamebusters like Spiller, WR Jacoby Ford, Kelly, Tyler Grisham. Also, watch for TE Michael Palmer, who always seems to make a key play against South Carolina, be it catching or blocking.
The question for South Carolina is, will the offensive line block to create somewhat of a running game? Carolina has offensive players in Cook and McKinley, but the rest of the specialists have been inconsistent this year.
Offensive line play hasn't been there for either team, but it appears Clemson has settled on an Oline that is functional in the past few weeks.
Defensively, the edge goes to South Carolina. They are one of the best units in the country, and have gone up against some stiffer competition.
Prediction
It is the Battle of the Palmetto State, so prior play doesn't matter. Adrenaline, atmosphere, and bowl destinations are on the line. Did I mention in-state bragging rights?
But I don't see a lot of scoring in this game. Neither offense is that good, and both defensives are tops in their conferences. Expect a defensive score or two in this game, and maybe a TD on the offensive side of the ball. Special teams will be key, as the past three games have come down to a field goal.
I do wonder if the effects of the Florida loss are still in the back of the minds of the SC players.
Clemson 7
South Carolina 10
Eagles (8-3, 4-3)
Boston College beat Wake Forest last week 24-21, but they also suffered a big loss, QB Chris Crane. QB Dominic Davis came in and played okay last week in relief, but now he has to play a full game. RBs Josh Haden and Joe Smith provide the run support and TE Ryan Purvis is a centerpiece in the offense.
The clawing Eagles are led by DT BJ Raji, LBs Brian Toal and Mark Herzlich, CB DeLeon Gause, and safety Wes Anderson.
Terapins (7-4, 4-3)
Maryland had a rough Saturday, as they got beat by Florida State 37-3. QB Jordan Steffy leads an inconsistent Maryland team, but the one constant has been RB Darel Scott. WR Darius Heyward-Bey is a big play threat and Dan Gronkowski is a solid tight-end.
The Maryland defense is equal inconsistent. The unit either plays tough D, or they get walked over. DT Jeremy Navarro, LBs Alex Wujicak and Dave Phillistin, and safety Terrell Skinner head the "Terrible Turtle" defense.
Breakdown
Both teams like to run and play defense. I see this being a close game, and one team will pull away late.
The running game is key. Whoever runs, and expect to see a lot of running.
Kickers Steve Aponovicius (Boston College) and Obi Egekeze (Maryland) will be key.
Prediction
The one factor that matters is which Maryland team shows up. Will the team that beat Wake Forest 26-0 show up, or the one that lost to Middle Tennessee State, Virginia (31-0), and Florida State.
The Eagles have the advantage; win and they are in the ACC title game. They will feel the loss of Crane-he brought good rushing yards and sound passing yards.
This should be a dirty, old fashioned football game. A lot of field goals and defense.
Maryland 20
Boston College 16
The Rest of the Week
Mississippi over Miss. State
LSU over Arkansas
Florida over Florida State
Georgia Tech over Georgia
Alabama over Auburn
Tennessee over Kentucky
Wake Forest over Vanderbilt
Virginia Tech over Virginia
North Carolina over Duke
Miami (Fl) over NC State
Oklahoma over Oklahoma State
Oregon State over Oregon
So. Cal over Notre Dame
Boise State over Fresno State
Record
Week 1: 15-6
Week 2: 14-3
Week 3: 13-3
Week 4: 12-2
Week 5: 11-6
Week 6: 8-4
Week 7: 11-6
Week 8: 12-4
Week 9: 11-5
Week 10: 13-3
Week 11: 9-6
Week 12: 12-6
Week 13: 11-5
Overall: 152-56 (73%)
One good thing came out of it, I figured out the ACC title picture. For Florida State to hold onto their 1st place Atlantic standing: Their destiny is out of their hands, and it all depends on the Boston College Maryland game. If Maryland wins, they tie FSU with the 'Noles holding the tie-break, and FSU goes to the ACC title game. If BC wins, they tie FSU, and the Eagles hold the tie break and go to the title game.
Now, for Georgia Tech to hold onto their 1st place Coastal position, they also depend on another game, since they play Georgia this week. 2nd place Miami is out even with a win over NC State, since the Jackets hold the tie-break. The key is the VT-UVA game. If Virginia wins, the Jackets go to the title game, and if the Hokies win, then they hold the tie-break over the Jackets and they head to the ACC title game.
Got a heahache yet? Wait till you see the picks this week.
@
Gamecocks (7-4, 4-4 SEC)
South Carolina is coming off a bye week. It seems now that Steve Spurrier has settled on a QB to finish out the season, and it is Chris Smelley. WR Kenny McKinley and TE Jared Cook will have to have big games. The big question mark will be runningback. Will Mike Davis have a final game to remember? Will Eric Baker hold onto the ball? Will we even see Bobby Wallace?
The Defense will be the star of this game though. The defensive backfield is loaded with safeties. Chris Culliver, Emmanuel Cook, Darian Stewart are all hard-hitting, and linebacker Jasper Brinkley (who missed last years game) will also be there.
Tigers (6-5, 4-4 ACC)
Clemson is on a two game win streak-be it over Duke and 13-3 victory over Virginia last week. QB Cullen Harper seems to have settled down and gotten into a groove more resemblant to last season, and WR Aaron Kelly has been catching everything. RBs James Davis and CJ Spiller have also been consistent on the ground. Will it carry over into the SC game, in what will be their last game as Clemson Tigers? (Harper, Kelly, and Davis are seniors, Spiller will probably go to the NFL).
The defense is fast, although sometimes has trouble with teams that run right at them, like Alabama. Safety Michael Hamlin is a certain pro prospect and probably a late first day pick in the draft. Ends Ricky Sapp and DaQuan Bowers bring heat from the outside, while freshman linebacker Brandon Maye brings intensity.
Breakdown
Neither offense is really that good against top talent, but the edge goes to Clemson with gamebusters like Spiller, WR Jacoby Ford, Kelly, Tyler Grisham. Also, watch for TE Michael Palmer, who always seems to make a key play against South Carolina, be it catching or blocking.
The question for South Carolina is, will the offensive line block to create somewhat of a running game? Carolina has offensive players in Cook and McKinley, but the rest of the specialists have been inconsistent this year.
Offensive line play hasn't been there for either team, but it appears Clemson has settled on an Oline that is functional in the past few weeks.
Defensively, the edge goes to South Carolina. They are one of the best units in the country, and have gone up against some stiffer competition.
Prediction
It is the Battle of the Palmetto State, so prior play doesn't matter. Adrenaline, atmosphere, and bowl destinations are on the line. Did I mention in-state bragging rights?
But I don't see a lot of scoring in this game. Neither offense is that good, and both defensives are tops in their conferences. Expect a defensive score or two in this game, and maybe a TD on the offensive side of the ball. Special teams will be key, as the past three games have come down to a field goal.
I do wonder if the effects of the Florida loss are still in the back of the minds of the SC players.
Clemson 7
South Carolina 10
@
Eagles (8-3, 4-3)
Boston College beat Wake Forest last week 24-21, but they also suffered a big loss, QB Chris Crane. QB Dominic Davis came in and played okay last week in relief, but now he has to play a full game. RBs Josh Haden and Joe Smith provide the run support and TE Ryan Purvis is a centerpiece in the offense.
The clawing Eagles are led by DT BJ Raji, LBs Brian Toal and Mark Herzlich, CB DeLeon Gause, and safety Wes Anderson.
Terapins (7-4, 4-3)
Maryland had a rough Saturday, as they got beat by Florida State 37-3. QB Jordan Steffy leads an inconsistent Maryland team, but the one constant has been RB Darel Scott. WR Darius Heyward-Bey is a big play threat and Dan Gronkowski is a solid tight-end.
The Maryland defense is equal inconsistent. The unit either plays tough D, or they get walked over. DT Jeremy Navarro, LBs Alex Wujicak and Dave Phillistin, and safety Terrell Skinner head the "Terrible Turtle" defense.
Breakdown
Both teams like to run and play defense. I see this being a close game, and one team will pull away late.
The running game is key. Whoever runs, and expect to see a lot of running.
Kickers Steve Aponovicius (Boston College) and Obi Egekeze (Maryland) will be key.
Prediction
The one factor that matters is which Maryland team shows up. Will the team that beat Wake Forest 26-0 show up, or the one that lost to Middle Tennessee State, Virginia (31-0), and Florida State.
The Eagles have the advantage; win and they are in the ACC title game. They will feel the loss of Crane-he brought good rushing yards and sound passing yards.
This should be a dirty, old fashioned football game. A lot of field goals and defense.
Maryland 20
Boston College 16
The Rest of the Week
Mississippi over Miss. State
LSU over Arkansas
Florida over Florida State
Georgia Tech over Georgia
Alabama over Auburn
Tennessee over Kentucky
Wake Forest over Vanderbilt
Virginia Tech over Virginia
North Carolina over Duke
Miami (Fl) over NC State
Oklahoma over Oklahoma State
Oregon State over Oregon
So. Cal over Notre Dame
Boise State over Fresno State
Record
Week 1: 15-6
Week 2: 14-3
Week 3: 13-3
Week 4: 12-2
Week 5: 11-6
Week 6: 8-4
Week 7: 11-6
Week 8: 12-4
Week 9: 11-5
Week 10: 13-3
Week 11: 9-6
Week 12: 12-6
Week 13: 11-5
Overall: 152-56 (73%)
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