I picked probably the most games I ever have in a week last weekend, and it did not go well as I went 10-9. While I knew Virginia had a chance, I probably underestimated how bad Louisville might actually be and yes, there may have been an element in there of, "Let's pick against my favorite team and see if it works again like it did against Ohio," which of course is pretty dumb, but hard to give up as a fan when it works. It's like the old ESPN's commercials, "It isn't crazy, it's sports."
Of course, the weekend's biggest surprise was 0-3 Old Dominion shocking Virginia Tech, 49-35, one of the largest point-spread upsets in history, as ODU was about a 29-point underdog coming into the contest. I picked the Hokies to cover easily and win, 52-10. Oops. But no one saw that coming. Virginia Tech got more bad news after the game. QB Josh Jackson broke his leg and will be out multiple weeks, and on Sunday, the team dismissed defensive end Trevon Hill, one of the team's best defensive players, for undisclosed reasons. QB Ryan Willis, a junior transfer from Kansas, played fairly well in place of Jackson against the Monarchs and is the new starter. Bud Foster's defense was the problem against ODU, as it gave up 632 yards (!). The other losses I took were Tennessee getting smacked by Florida, Iowa playing Wisconsin tough but losing in the closing minutes, Boston College suffering its first loss against winless Purdue, Maryland topping Minnesota, UNC getting its first victory by downing Pitt, Kentucky looking more like its basketball team and staying undefeated by upsetting Mississippi State, and Texas showing some strength in defeating TCU. Stanford's comeback win in OT at Oregon saved me from being under .500.
This week, on Thursday, we already had one ACC game, with Miami pounding North Carolina, 47-10. There are two huge top-10 matchups to look forward to Saturday evening. I'm having trouble finding a groove this season with my predictions. Let's see if I can turns things around in Week 5. On the year, I'm 30-23.
Syracuse (4-0) at No. 3 Clemson (4-0), Noon ABC
The Orange might actually be much improved this season, but I don't think it is going to be enough in Death Valley. Dabo Swinney named freshman Trevor Lawrence the Tigers' starting QB this week. Incumbent Kelly Bryant said he's going to transfer.
Clemson 38, Syracuse 21
No. 12 West Virginia (3-0) at No. 25 Texas Tech (3-1), Noon ESPN2
West Virginia 38, Texas Tech 35
Temple (2-2) at Boston College (3-1), Noon ESPNU
BC coach Steve Addazio goes against his old team as the Eagles try to get back on track. The Owls seem to be rapidly improving after an 0-2 start.
Boston College 30, Temple 24
Bowling Green (1-3) at Georgia Tech (1-3), Noon ACC Network/NBC Sports Washington
Georgia Tech 35, Bowling Green 17
Pittsburgh (2-2) at No. 13 UCF (3-0), 3:30 p.m. ESPNU
UCF 38, Pittsburgh 28
Old Dominion (1-3) at East Carolina (1-2), 3:30 p.m. ESPN3.com
The Monarchs will come back to earth after a little too much partying this week. The Pirates aren't particularly good, but did blow out North Carolina.
ECU 26, ODU 23
Rice (1-3) at Wake Forest (2-2), 3:30 p.m. ACC Network
Wake Forest 45, Rice 24
Florida State (2-2) at Louisville (2-2), 3:30 p.m. ESPN2
FSU 24, Louisville 20
Florida (3-1) at No. 23 Mississippi State (3-1), 6 p.m. ESPN
Dan Mullen returns to Starkville with his new team. The Bulldogs were toppled last week by Kentucky, and the Gators also lost to the Wildcats a few weeks ago.
Mississippi State 27, Florida 24
Virginia Tech (2-1) at No. 22 Duke (4-0), 7 p.m. ESPN2
The Blue Devils are undefeated, but they haven't played a tough schedule, downing Army, Baylor, Northwestern, and N.C. Central, though Army did almost upset Oklahoma last week. The Hokies will be refocused after getting embarrassed at ODU, and they usually perform well coming off losses.
Virginia Tech 24, Duke 21
National game of the week
No. 4 Ohio State (4-0) at No. 9 Penn State (4-0), 7:30 p.m. ABC
The Buckeyes overcame a 15-point deficit going into the fourth quarter to edge the Nittany Lions, 39-38, in Columbus last season. Similar fireworks are expected in this one, which features two Heisman-contending QBs in Dwayne Haskins (OSU) and Trace McSorley (PSU). Ohio State was challenged against TCU in Arlington but won by double digits, and Penn State was nearly upset by Appalachian State at home in the opener. I like OSU in a tight, entertaining game.
Ohio State 41, Penn State 36
No. 7 Stanford (4-0) at No. 8 Notre Dame (4-0), 7:30 p.m. NBC
Both of these teams have had their struggles. The Cardinal fell behind by 17 to Oregon last week, and the Fighting Irish didn't exactly cruise against Ball State and Vanderbilt. But the back-to-back road-game stretch for Stanford against ranked teams is what makes me give Notre Dame the slight edge.
Notre Dame 27, Stanford 24
No. 20 BYU (3-1) at No. 11 Washington (3-1), 8:30 p.m. Fox
Washington 24, BYU 17
No. 19 Oregon (3-1) at No. 24 Cal (3-0), 10:30 p.m. FS1
Oregon 34, Cal 27
Virginia (3-1) at N.C. State (3-0), 12:20 p.m. ACC Network/The CW
It seems like the Cavaliers have been improving each week, culminating in their first dominating ACC win under Bronco Mendenhall last week, but on Saturday, they get their biggest test of the young season traveling to face QB Ryan Finley and the Wolfpack.
Finley is probably the top passer in the ACC and was garnering Heisman attention coming into the season. He's completed 68.6 percent of his passes for 1,056 yards (352 yards per game, first in the conference), five touchdowns, and one pick. After starting his career at Boise State, he's in his third year at N.C. State, so he's very experienced. He will likely be able to find targets and holes in the defense way more easily than Louisville's signal-callers, Juwon Pass and Malik Cunningham, did in Charlottesville. Finley could make UVa's defense, which struggled at times against Ohio and Indiana, look pedestrian on occasion. Finley's top target has been Kelvin Harmon, who he's found 18 times for 312 yards but no scores yet. Four other players have at least 10 catches in the 'Pack's three games. State's rushing attack hasn't done much yet, averaging just 3.4 yards per carry. Reggie Gallaspy II is the team's top ball carrier with four TDs, but just 173 yards on 3.5 ypc.
N.C. State has only played three games because of Hurricane Florence, which caused the school to cancel its home game against West Virginia two weeks ago. The Mountaineers are undefeated, and that would've been a good test for State. As it stands, the Wolfpack owns victories over JMU 24-13, Georgia State 41-7, and Marshall 37-20, with the victory over the Thundering Herd last week coming
on the road. So it is tough right now to know just how good State could be without that big game against WVU as a measuring stick.
N.C. State's defense returned just three starters and has probably performed pretty well considering that fact, but Virginia probably has the best offense it has seen so far. Bryce Perkins will probably need to make some plays early with his arms and legs to loosen up the defense, which has been solid against the run (22nd in the country). The defense has forced five turnovers in the three games, including a pick-6 last week at Marshall.
Last week was a big opportunity for Virginia, and this week represents an even bigger one. The pressure is pretty much all on N.C. State, which opens its ACC schedule against a team it is expected to beat (the line opened at about State -10, and is down to about a touchdown now), and the Wolfpack is probably Clemson's toughest competition in the division with Florida State and Louisville looking weak. I don't believe in Boston College or Syracuse to be real threats. This is a game N.C. State needs to have if it has aspirations of being a factor in the Atlantic. The Cavaliers got the win they had to have last week to have a solid chance to get back to a bowl, and now this would be a bonus and is a great learning opportunity.
It is clear that Virginia is making strides under Bronco Mendenhall. This win would truly grab the ACC's attention. I think it is asking a little much from the 'Hoos at this point, though. Richmond, Ohio, and Louisville have, thus far, proven to be varying levels of mediocre or bad. I don't know if N.C. State is top-25 good, but a focused 'Pack team should take this game at home. I do think UVa is capable of pulling the upset, though, if a few things fall its way and State comes out lethargic. But Finley is by far the best passer the Cavaliers have seen, and I think he will expose a few weaknesses in UVa's defense, much like Ohio did when it tried to come back from 28 points behind. That defense is missing starters Jordan Mack and Malcolm Cook at the middle linebacker spots. Zane Zandier has stepped in nicely for Cook and could actually be the better player, but sophomore Rob Snyder will make his first start for Mack, who is maybe the most important player on the unit.
Whether N.C. State scores a late TD to pull away or UVa records a late one to make the final result look closer than maybe how the entire game will actually play out, I think the Wahoos will put forth an effort of which it can be proud, while at the same time continuing to build and improve under this staff.
N.C. State 31, Virginia 21
Of course, the weekend's biggest surprise was 0-3 Old Dominion shocking Virginia Tech, 49-35, one of the largest point-spread upsets in history, as ODU was about a 29-point underdog coming into the contest. I picked the Hokies to cover easily and win, 52-10. Oops. But no one saw that coming. Virginia Tech got more bad news after the game. QB Josh Jackson broke his leg and will be out multiple weeks, and on Sunday, the team dismissed defensive end Trevon Hill, one of the team's best defensive players, for undisclosed reasons. QB Ryan Willis, a junior transfer from Kansas, played fairly well in place of Jackson against the Monarchs and is the new starter. Bud Foster's defense was the problem against ODU, as it gave up 632 yards (!). The other losses I took were Tennessee getting smacked by Florida, Iowa playing Wisconsin tough but losing in the closing minutes, Boston College suffering its first loss against winless Purdue, Maryland topping Minnesota, UNC getting its first victory by downing Pitt, Kentucky looking more like its basketball team and staying undefeated by upsetting Mississippi State, and Texas showing some strength in defeating TCU. Stanford's comeback win in OT at Oregon saved me from being under .500.
This week, on Thursday, we already had one ACC game, with Miami pounding North Carolina, 47-10. There are two huge top-10 matchups to look forward to Saturday evening. I'm having trouble finding a groove this season with my predictions. Let's see if I can turns things around in Week 5. On the year, I'm 30-23.
Syracuse (4-0) at No. 3 Clemson (4-0), Noon ABC
The Orange might actually be much improved this season, but I don't think it is going to be enough in Death Valley. Dabo Swinney named freshman Trevor Lawrence the Tigers' starting QB this week. Incumbent Kelly Bryant said he's going to transfer.
Clemson 38, Syracuse 21
No. 12 West Virginia (3-0) at No. 25 Texas Tech (3-1), Noon ESPN2
West Virginia 38, Texas Tech 35
Temple (2-2) at Boston College (3-1), Noon ESPNU
BC coach Steve Addazio goes against his old team as the Eagles try to get back on track. The Owls seem to be rapidly improving after an 0-2 start.
Boston College 30, Temple 24
Bowling Green (1-3) at Georgia Tech (1-3), Noon ACC Network/NBC Sports Washington
Georgia Tech 35, Bowling Green 17
Pittsburgh (2-2) at No. 13 UCF (3-0), 3:30 p.m. ESPNU
UCF 38, Pittsburgh 28
Old Dominion (1-3) at East Carolina (1-2), 3:30 p.m. ESPN3.com
The Monarchs will come back to earth after a little too much partying this week. The Pirates aren't particularly good, but did blow out North Carolina.
ECU 26, ODU 23
Rice (1-3) at Wake Forest (2-2), 3:30 p.m. ACC Network
Wake Forest 45, Rice 24
Florida State (2-2) at Louisville (2-2), 3:30 p.m. ESPN2
FSU 24, Louisville 20
Florida (3-1) at No. 23 Mississippi State (3-1), 6 p.m. ESPN
Dan Mullen returns to Starkville with his new team. The Bulldogs were toppled last week by Kentucky, and the Gators also lost to the Wildcats a few weeks ago.
Mississippi State 27, Florida 24
Virginia Tech (2-1) at No. 22 Duke (4-0), 7 p.m. ESPN2
The Blue Devils are undefeated, but they haven't played a tough schedule, downing Army, Baylor, Northwestern, and N.C. Central, though Army did almost upset Oklahoma last week. The Hokies will be refocused after getting embarrassed at ODU, and they usually perform well coming off losses.
Virginia Tech 24, Duke 21
National game of the week
No. 4 Ohio State (4-0) at No. 9 Penn State (4-0), 7:30 p.m. ABC
The Buckeyes overcame a 15-point deficit going into the fourth quarter to edge the Nittany Lions, 39-38, in Columbus last season. Similar fireworks are expected in this one, which features two Heisman-contending QBs in Dwayne Haskins (OSU) and Trace McSorley (PSU). Ohio State was challenged against TCU in Arlington but won by double digits, and Penn State was nearly upset by Appalachian State at home in the opener. I like OSU in a tight, entertaining game.
Ohio State 41, Penn State 36
No. 7 Stanford (4-0) at No. 8 Notre Dame (4-0), 7:30 p.m. NBC
Both of these teams have had their struggles. The Cardinal fell behind by 17 to Oregon last week, and the Fighting Irish didn't exactly cruise against Ball State and Vanderbilt. But the back-to-back road-game stretch for Stanford against ranked teams is what makes me give Notre Dame the slight edge.
Notre Dame 27, Stanford 24
No. 20 BYU (3-1) at No. 11 Washington (3-1), 8:30 p.m. Fox
Washington 24, BYU 17
No. 19 Oregon (3-1) at No. 24 Cal (3-0), 10:30 p.m. FS1
Oregon 34, Cal 27
Virginia (3-1) at N.C. State (3-0), 12:20 p.m. ACC Network/The CW
It seems like the Cavaliers have been improving each week, culminating in their first dominating ACC win under Bronco Mendenhall last week, but on Saturday, they get their biggest test of the young season traveling to face QB Ryan Finley and the Wolfpack.
Finley is probably the top passer in the ACC and was garnering Heisman attention coming into the season. He's completed 68.6 percent of his passes for 1,056 yards (352 yards per game, first in the conference), five touchdowns, and one pick. After starting his career at Boise State, he's in his third year at N.C. State, so he's very experienced. He will likely be able to find targets and holes in the defense way more easily than Louisville's signal-callers, Juwon Pass and Malik Cunningham, did in Charlottesville. Finley could make UVa's defense, which struggled at times against Ohio and Indiana, look pedestrian on occasion. Finley's top target has been Kelvin Harmon, who he's found 18 times for 312 yards but no scores yet. Four other players have at least 10 catches in the 'Pack's three games. State's rushing attack hasn't done much yet, averaging just 3.4 yards per carry. Reggie Gallaspy II is the team's top ball carrier with four TDs, but just 173 yards on 3.5 ypc.
N.C. State has only played three games because of Hurricane Florence, which caused the school to cancel its home game against West Virginia two weeks ago. The Mountaineers are undefeated, and that would've been a good test for State. As it stands, the Wolfpack owns victories over JMU 24-13, Georgia State 41-7, and Marshall 37-20, with the victory over the Thundering Herd last week coming
N.C. State's defense returned just three starters and has probably performed pretty well considering that fact, but Virginia probably has the best offense it has seen so far. Bryce Perkins will probably need to make some plays early with his arms and legs to loosen up the defense, which has been solid against the run (22nd in the country). The defense has forced five turnovers in the three games, including a pick-6 last week at Marshall.
Last week was a big opportunity for Virginia, and this week represents an even bigger one. The pressure is pretty much all on N.C. State, which opens its ACC schedule against a team it is expected to beat (the line opened at about State -10, and is down to about a touchdown now), and the Wolfpack is probably Clemson's toughest competition in the division with Florida State and Louisville looking weak. I don't believe in Boston College or Syracuse to be real threats. This is a game N.C. State needs to have if it has aspirations of being a factor in the Atlantic. The Cavaliers got the win they had to have last week to have a solid chance to get back to a bowl, and now this would be a bonus and is a great learning opportunity.
It is clear that Virginia is making strides under Bronco Mendenhall. This win would truly grab the ACC's attention. I think it is asking a little much from the 'Hoos at this point, though. Richmond, Ohio, and Louisville have, thus far, proven to be varying levels of mediocre or bad. I don't know if N.C. State is top-25 good, but a focused 'Pack team should take this game at home. I do think UVa is capable of pulling the upset, though, if a few things fall its way and State comes out lethargic. But Finley is by far the best passer the Cavaliers have seen, and I think he will expose a few weaknesses in UVa's defense, much like Ohio did when it tried to come back from 28 points behind. That defense is missing starters Jordan Mack and Malcolm Cook at the middle linebacker spots. Zane Zandier has stepped in nicely for Cook and could actually be the better player, but sophomore Rob Snyder will make his first start for Mack, who is maybe the most important player on the unit.
Whether N.C. State scores a late TD to pull away or UVa records a late one to make the final result look closer than maybe how the entire game will actually play out, I think the Wahoos will put forth an effort of which it can be proud, while at the same time continuing to build and improve under this staff.
N.C. State 31, Virginia 21
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