I am 4-2 after last week. I missed on Virginia beating BYU and Clemson topping Georgia.
No. 12 Florida at Miami, Noon ESPN
Last week, the ACC got a chance to make a statement and took advantage with Clemson beating Georgia in a battle of top 10 teams. This week, the ACC will again look to top the SEC when the Hurricanes host the Gators. Both teams eased past inferior squads at home last week with Miami roughing up Florida Atlantic, 34-6, and Florida defeating Toledo, 24-6. This week, the tests for each get stiffer. The Hurricane 'D' must contend with dual-threat QB Jeff Driskel and the Gators are tasked with slowing down Miami QB Stephen Morris and RB Duke Johnson. I think Miami gets it done at home and is able to put together enough offense to help the ACC gain another win over an SEC school.
Miami 27, Florida 26
Western Carolina at Virginia Tech, 1:30 p.m. ESPN3.com
Virginia Tech struggled offensively, especially in the passing game, last week in a 35-10 loss to Alabama. Western Carolina is not 'Bama. The Catamounts are an FCS team that has lost 11 consecutive games. The Hokies should have no problem picking up their first win of the season at Lane Stadium.
Virginia Tech 38, Western Carolina 7
Old Dominion at Maryland, 4 p.m. ESPN3.com
The Monarchs probably have a decent chance in this game because of their incredible offense. But the Terps' defense is better than a year ago and the Monarchs can't really stop many teams, especially an FBS squad. Maryland has a chance to surprise a few people this year I think, too.
Maryland 48, Old Dominion 21
No. 6 South Carolina at No. 11 Georgia, 4:30 p.m. ESPN
Georgia is hoping to rebound after a tough loss to Clemson last week. South Carolina downed UNC at home in Week 1. I think at home, the Bulldogs will bounce back and top the Gamecocks.
Georgia 21, South Carolina 17
Richmond at N.C. State, 6 p.m. ESPN3.com
In their first game under new coach Dave Doeren last week, the Wolfpack downed Louisiana Tech, 40-14. Richmond is one of the more consistent FCS teams and is probably going to be solid again this year, but last week the Spiders were untested against VMI and cruised to a 34-0 win. I doubt Richmond has what it takes to upset N.C. State.
N.C. State 38, Richmond 10
James Madison at Akron, 6 p.m. ESPN3.com
Last week, seven FCS teams beat FBS teams. The gap has closed a lot between these two levels, especially when the FBS team is in a non-BCS conference. Akron, of the MAC, was terrible last season and hasn't been good since about 2007. So far, I've shied away from picking an FCS team to win a game against an FBS team this week but I'm taking the Dukes here. I think they will get it done.
James Madison 23, Akron 20
No. 14 Notre Dame at No. 17 Michigan, 8 p.m. ESPN
This rivalry is coming to an end under the lights. Notre Dame will no longer play Michigan so it can fulfill its upcoming ACC scheduling commitments. Two years ago, these teams played a memorable game in Ann Arbor, one the Wolverines won in the final minute. I think they will try to live up to that game in this final installment of this historic rivalry. Michigan pulls out a tight game that comes down to the fourth quarter.
Michigan 31, Notre Dame 28
No. 2 Oregon at Virginia, 3:30 p.m. ABC/ESPN2
I think we all know what to expect in this one. What does Virginia have to do to upset the Ducks? Take what the defense did last week vs. BYU, and multiply it times 1000. Oregon runs a spread like BYU did, but much better. The Ducks are almost the pioneers of this offense. At the very least, they have perfected it. As for the UVa offense, it needs to be much, much, much better than last week. Two-hundred twenty-three yards like last week won't get it done. The UVa defense can have a terrific game and hold Oregon to
30 points, but the Cavaliers won't win if they have an offensive performance like last week. The Oregon 'D' is sneaky good. It doesn't grab headlines like the offense, but it led the nation last year in takeaways with 40 and has seven starters back. Virginia's offense needs to be on its game. The Oregon offense speaks for itself. It moves at a blazing speed. QB Marcus Mariota and RB De'Anthony Thomas are the stars. Last week in their thrashing of Nicholls State, the Ducks ran an offensive play every 16 seconds. The UVa 'D' better hold on to their hats. Ultimately, I think Virginia will be lucky to cover the spread of 24 points in this one. Hopefully, they can keep it close for a decent part of the game and use this as a good learning experience, one that they can apply to future games.
Oregon 45, Virginia 17
No. 12 Florida at Miami, Noon ESPN
Last week, the ACC got a chance to make a statement and took advantage with Clemson beating Georgia in a battle of top 10 teams. This week, the ACC will again look to top the SEC when the Hurricanes host the Gators. Both teams eased past inferior squads at home last week with Miami roughing up Florida Atlantic, 34-6, and Florida defeating Toledo, 24-6. This week, the tests for each get stiffer. The Hurricane 'D' must contend with dual-threat QB Jeff Driskel and the Gators are tasked with slowing down Miami QB Stephen Morris and RB Duke Johnson. I think Miami gets it done at home and is able to put together enough offense to help the ACC gain another win over an SEC school.
Miami 27, Florida 26
Western Carolina at Virginia Tech, 1:30 p.m. ESPN3.com
Virginia Tech struggled offensively, especially in the passing game, last week in a 35-10 loss to Alabama. Western Carolina is not 'Bama. The Catamounts are an FCS team that has lost 11 consecutive games. The Hokies should have no problem picking up their first win of the season at Lane Stadium.
Virginia Tech 38, Western Carolina 7
Old Dominion at Maryland, 4 p.m. ESPN3.com
The Monarchs probably have a decent chance in this game because of their incredible offense. But the Terps' defense is better than a year ago and the Monarchs can't really stop many teams, especially an FBS squad. Maryland has a chance to surprise a few people this year I think, too.
Maryland 48, Old Dominion 21
No. 6 South Carolina at No. 11 Georgia, 4:30 p.m. ESPN
Georgia is hoping to rebound after a tough loss to Clemson last week. South Carolina downed UNC at home in Week 1. I think at home, the Bulldogs will bounce back and top the Gamecocks.
Georgia 21, South Carolina 17
Richmond at N.C. State, 6 p.m. ESPN3.com
In their first game under new coach Dave Doeren last week, the Wolfpack downed Louisiana Tech, 40-14. Richmond is one of the more consistent FCS teams and is probably going to be solid again this year, but last week the Spiders were untested against VMI and cruised to a 34-0 win. I doubt Richmond has what it takes to upset N.C. State.
N.C. State 38, Richmond 10
James Madison at Akron, 6 p.m. ESPN3.com
Last week, seven FCS teams beat FBS teams. The gap has closed a lot between these two levels, especially when the FBS team is in a non-BCS conference. Akron, of the MAC, was terrible last season and hasn't been good since about 2007. So far, I've shied away from picking an FCS team to win a game against an FBS team this week but I'm taking the Dukes here. I think they will get it done.
James Madison 23, Akron 20
No. 14 Notre Dame at No. 17 Michigan, 8 p.m. ESPN
This rivalry is coming to an end under the lights. Notre Dame will no longer play Michigan so it can fulfill its upcoming ACC scheduling commitments. Two years ago, these teams played a memorable game in Ann Arbor, one the Wolverines won in the final minute. I think they will try to live up to that game in this final installment of this historic rivalry. Michigan pulls out a tight game that comes down to the fourth quarter.
Michigan 31, Notre Dame 28
No. 2 Oregon at Virginia, 3:30 p.m. ABC/ESPN2
I think we all know what to expect in this one. What does Virginia have to do to upset the Ducks? Take what the defense did last week vs. BYU, and multiply it times 1000. Oregon runs a spread like BYU did, but much better. The Ducks are almost the pioneers of this offense. At the very least, they have perfected it. As for the UVa offense, it needs to be much, much, much better than last week. Two-hundred twenty-three yards like last week won't get it done. The UVa defense can have a terrific game and hold Oregon to 30 points, but the Cavaliers won't win if they have an offensive performance like last week. The Oregon 'D' is sneaky good. It doesn't grab headlines like the offense, but it led the nation last year in takeaways with 40 and has seven starters back. Virginia's offense needs to be on its game. The Oregon offense speaks for itself. It moves at a blazing speed. QB Marcus Mariota and RB De'Anthony Thomas are the stars. Last week in their thrashing of Nicholls State, the Ducks ran an offensive play every 16 seconds. The UVa 'D' better hold on to their hats. Ultimately, I think Virginia will be lucky to cover the spread of 24 points in this one. Hopefully, they can keep it close for a decent part of the game and use this as a good learning experience, one that they can apply to future games.
Oregon 45, Virginia 17
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