In the blink of an eye we are already into the second third of the season. It seems to go by faster each year. There are just two games pitting ranked teams against one another so we need to dig a little deeper than usual to find some intrigue.
Duke at Va Tech
However, before we get into Saturday’s full slate, we must touch on that raging dumpster fire taking place in Blacksburg. The Dookies rolled into town and steamrolled the Hokies 45-10, handing them their worst home loss since 1978. And this came after the Hokies had a bye week, giving them extra time to prep.
After the loss, head coach Justin Fuente offered up this gem,
“Obviously we’re not ready. We’re not at the point where we can compete and play and have a chance to win against that team we played tonight.”
Wait, what? You are 4 years into being the head coach of this program and you still aren’t ready to compete with Duke? DUKE? Va Tech fans were pouring out of Lane Stadium early on last night, and it is safe to assume Fuente won’t be far behind.
#18 Virginia at #10 Notre Dame, 330 pm NBC
The Wahoo’s barely survived a close call with Old Dominion last week at home. This week they hit the road to South Bend as a 10.5 point underdog and the FPI giving them just a 10.3% chance to win. After their showing last week, why would anyone give them a shot? The ND defense looked up to the task last week in Athens, and to beat UVA all it takes is shutting down one player, QB Bryce Perkins. As Perkins goes, so does UVA, as he is the teams leading rusher as well as its QB. The Irish D will get it done, Notre Dame wins big…..
#21 USC at #17 Washington, 330 pm FOX
The Huskies have been pretty dang good with Nick Eason at QB. Except in the inexplicable home loss to Cal, anyways. Washington is an 11 point favorite and the FPI gives them a 71.4% chance of winning. The Trojans had to turn to true freshman QB Kedon Slovis in Week 1 and have been up and down. If the young QB can be consistent and limit the turnovers, the Trojans have a shot. However, that won’t happen, Huskies win and cover…..
NC State at FSU, 730 pm ACCN
Two of the more disappointing programs of 2019 square off tonight in Tally. The Noles are 6.5 point favorites and have a 71.7% shot per the FPI. Expect the unexpected in this one, whatever that might be. One thing you can bank on is FSU building a big 1st quarter lead, then blowing it. The Noles have a chance to win back to back ACC games for the first time since 2016. A win would also put them over .500 in ACC play for the first time since 2016. The Pack have faced just one P5 opponent all season in WVa, and the Mountaineers were able to run the ball for over 6 yards per carry. Imagine what Cam Akers will do, Noles win…..
Wake Forest at BC, 330 pm ACCN
Hard to believe, but Wake is a 6.5 point road favorite at BC. The Deacs have been very efficient on offense and Jamie Newman has mostly been pretty good at QB. BC has allowed almost 450 yards of offense per game against subpar competition, and the last time they were at home lost to lowly Kansas. The smart thing would be to take Wake, but this is the ACC so expect the unexpected…..
