North Carolina at No. 8 Virginia Tech, 8 p.m. ESPN
Pulling for the Tar Heels here because a UNC win means that Virginia would get to face Virginia Tech for the ACC Coastal Division title Nov. 26 even if UVa loses to FSU on Saturday. I don't see it happening though. UNC, although bowl eligible, hasn't seemed to have the resolve it had last year as they continue to work through the fallout of NCAA violations. UNC had a bye week last week and a lackluster performance in a 13-0 shutout loss to N.C. State two weeks ago. Two years ago, the Tar Heels beat the Hokies on Thursday night in Blacksburg 20-17 but I doubt it happens again. Va. Tech has its eyes set on another ACC title and a win tonight would go a long way toward that goal if UVa loses to FSU on Saturday like it is expected to do.
Some Tar Heel players said they didn't seem like they were "up" for the N.C. State game. If UNC couldn't get hyped for a rivalry matchup, I don't see how it'll be wanting to face the Hokies in Blacksburg on a Thursday night.
Virginia Tech 27, North Carolina 10
Jets at Broncos, 8:20 p.m. NFL Network
Could there be a tougher game to pick? The Broncos are somehow 4-5 and in second place in the less-than-stellar AFC West. Last week, Tim Tebow led the Broncos to a win in Kansas City and completed just 2 of 8 passes. Are you kidding me? Two weeks ago, the Broncos scored 38 points in beating the Raiders on the road by 14. Three weeks ago, though, in Tebow's home starting debut, in front of the fans that had been clamoring for him to start over Kyle Orton, the Lions manhandled the Broncos and won 45-10. The Jets' pass defense has been good this year so they can probably take advantage of Tebow's weaknesses, but it won't be that easy if the Broncos just refuse to pass. If Denver runs effectively, it can win this game and the Jets haven't been that great against the run this year. One problem for the Broncos though is that RB Willis McGahee might not play so they might have to rely on Lance Ball, a third-string RB, and Jeremiah Johnson, who was just activated from the practice squad.
The Jets have had an up-and-down season as well. They are 5-4, but are a fourth-quarter comeback against Dallas in Week 1 away from 4-5. They've also won just one road game this year, and are coming off a 37-16 loss at home to the Patriots. So it is hard to tell which Jets team will show up.
Still, I'm going with the Jets. I think these are the types of games Rex Ryan has won his first two years in New York. When he needs a win, he usually gets it so I think the Jets earn a tough victory tonight.
Jets 21, Broncos 16
Pulling for the Tar Heels here because a UNC win means that Virginia would get to face Virginia Tech for the ACC Coastal Division title Nov. 26 even if UVa loses to FSU on Saturday. I don't see it happening though. UNC, although bowl eligible, hasn't seemed to have the resolve it had last year as they continue to work through the fallout of NCAA violations. UNC had a bye week last week and a lackluster performance in a 13-0 shutout loss to N.C. State two weeks ago. Two years ago, the Tar Heels beat the Hokies on Thursday night in Blacksburg 20-17 but I doubt it happens again. Va. Tech has its eyes set on another ACC title and a win tonight would go a long way toward that goal if UVa loses to FSU on Saturday like it is expected to do.
Some Tar Heel players said they didn't seem like they were "up" for the N.C. State game. If UNC couldn't get hyped for a rivalry matchup, I don't see how it'll be wanting to face the Hokies in Blacksburg on a Thursday night.
Virginia Tech 27, North Carolina 10
Jets at Broncos, 8:20 p.m. NFL Network
Could there be a tougher game to pick? The Broncos are somehow 4-5 and in second place in the less-than-stellar AFC West. Last week, Tim Tebow led the Broncos to a win in Kansas City and completed just 2 of 8 passes. Are you kidding me? Two weeks ago, the Broncos scored 38 points in beating the Raiders on the road by 14. Three weeks ago, though, in Tebow's home starting debut, in front of the fans that had been clamoring for him to start over Kyle Orton, the Lions manhandled the Broncos and won 45-10. The Jets' pass defense has been good this year so they can probably take advantage of Tebow's weaknesses, but it won't be that easy if the Broncos just refuse to pass. If Denver runs effectively, it can win this game and the Jets haven't been that great against the run this year. One problem for the Broncos though is that RB Willis McGahee might not play so they might have to rely on Lance Ball, a third-string RB, and Jeremiah Johnson, who was just activated from the practice squad.
The Jets have had an up-and-down season as well. They are 5-4, but are a fourth-quarter comeback against Dallas in Week 1 away from 4-5. They've also won just one road game this year, and are coming off a 37-16 loss at home to the Patriots. So it is hard to tell which Jets team will show up.
Still, I'm going with the Jets. I think these are the types of games Rex Ryan has won his first two years in New York. When he needs a win, he usually gets it so I think the Jets earn a tough victory tonight.
Jets 21, Broncos 16
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