The Atlantic Coasters look to rebound from a disappointing Week 2

Contributed by PFB Member, Eric Geisbert

Week 3 in the ACC has several intriguing match-ups. While a couple of non-conference contest this
week cannot bring the ACC back to being a legit BCS conference, Nebraska – Virginia Tech, Florida
State – BYU and East Carolina – UNC could all help the cause. On the flip side, there are also several
games against Football Championship Subdivision opponents, who already this season have beaten
Duke and UVA and scared two others, FSU and Maryland. Losses to FCS opponents would continue
the ACC’s fall from respectability. Also, on Thursday night Georgia Tech faces Miami in the ACC
game of the week.
Georgia Tech at Miami – This Thursday night on ESPN, we have a match up between the two top
offenses in the ACC. Georgia Tech has gained an average of 457 yard per game and Miami in its only
contest (a win against Florida State) had 476. So, what will decide this game? Miami’s run defense
and Georgia Tech’s ability to run the football. Georgia Tech runs the triple option and would love to
not throw the football at all. However, if Miami can stop Georgia Tech’s run game and move the
football down the field like they did against Florida State, Miami will win 31 – 27.
Nebraska at Virginia Tech – Saturday afternoon in Blacksburg, Virginia the Nebraska Cornhuskers
come to town. Both teams are ranked in the Top 20, Tech is 13 and Nebraska is 19. However, neither
team has played and beaten a talented opponent. Nebraska has started the season 2 – 0 beating Florida
Atlantic and Arkansas State while Virginia Tech, who has a record of (1-1), lost to #5 Alabama and beat
Marshall. This looks to be a perfect game for Tech to make a statement. Virginia Tech gets ahead early
thanks to the Lane Stadium crowd and Tech beats Nebraska 24 – 21.

Boston College at Clemson – At noon on Saturday Boston College (2-0) takes on Clemson (1-1) in
Death Valley. Clemson is coming off a close loss to Georgia Tech last Thursday night. While, BC has
looked impressive in their first two games this season winning by a combined score of 88 – 7 against
Northeastern and Kent State. Unfortunately, even with these two blowouts BC still hasn’t figured out
which freshman quarterback, Justin Tuggle a redshirt freshman or 25 year old freshman Dave Shinskie,
will get all of the snaps against Clemson. Expect either of these two quarterbacks to have a tough time
in Death Valley. With Clemson’s explosiveness at running back, see C.J. Spiller, and BC’s lack of a
strong quarterback, Clemson wins 24 – 10.

FSU at BYU – After defeating Oklahoma 14-13 during the season’s open weekend, BYU has become
this season mid major that hopes to wreak havoc on the BCS. Florida State opened the season with a
loss at home against rival Miami 38 – 34 and then was almost upset last weekend by another FCS
opponent Jacksonville State. FSU will have a difficult time in Provo, BYU wins 20 – 7.
Duke at Kansas – This would be a great match up if it was March and these two teams were playing in
the NCAA tournament. Well, its not March and Duke has already lost to a FCS opponent (Richmond,
who by the way is #1 in the FCS latest poll). For Duke to have a chance against Kansas they are
talking about needing to play the perfect game (rivals.com). Perfect? Jesus is perfect, Duke is not,
they lose to Kansas 42 – 20.

MTSU at Maryland – Last year Maryland traveled to Murfreesboro, TN but forgot to get off the bus
losing to Middle Tennessee State 24 – 14. Last week the Terps pulled out a overtime victory 38 – 35
over James Madison a FCS opponent (see the trend). MTSU makes it close but the Terps win 30 – 28.
East Carolina at UNC – UNC was without 3 offensive starters in its win over UCONN, 12 – 10, last
weekend. Those 3 starters may not back for the game against ECU, but due to the Tar Heels defense
UNC wins 15 – 10.

UVA at Southern Miss – Its very early in the season but Virginia is looking like a team that could go
the entire season without a victory. After losing to William and Mary (another FCS opponent) and then
TCU, the only thing UVA can hope for is that Southern Miss is looking ahead to next week when they
play Kansas. Southern Miss wins 28 – 17.

Gardner-Webb at NCST – Here’s hoping the the FCS bug, doesn’t catch State. NCST wins 24 – 14.

Elon at Wake Forest – Thanks to the ACC this season these games have become difficult to predict.
Elon’s campus is about an hour from Winston-Salem and Wake definitely hasn’t looked strong against
its first two opponents, a lost at home to Baylor (21 – 24) and a win at home against Stanford (24 – 17).
Wake coach Jim Grobe is reportedly carrying around a list of FCS upsets of higher division opponents
(rivals.com). Wake gets the message and the victory 27 – 17.

Putting Football in its Place:
(This section will highlight a player from the ACC who is using
their athletic standing to glorify God)
Tyrod Taylor, quarterback, Virginia Tech
“Taylor volunteers at Herma’s Readers, an organization founded by Hokies coach Frank Beamer which
donates books to local schools. He also regularly visits patients at local hospitals and has served as
speaker for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, talking to students about faith.”
(This is from a press release for the Allstate / AFCA Good Works Team®.)

There is Good News – and Bad News – as the nation’s most balanced conference does battle with some non-conference foes.

The often disrespected Big East returns in Week Two without much fanfare, but looks to capitalize on a victorious Week One that only saw two defeats, Syracuse at the hands of Minnesota and Rutgers against conference foes Cincinnati.

Rutgers will look to rebound from a humiliating loss on Monday afternoon. The bad news? Rutgers didn’t look too great trying to contain Tony Pike from throwing all over their secondary. The Good news? Rutgers welcomes in the Howard Bison. That shouldn’t strike fear in anyone in the Garden State. The Bad News? Rutgers doesn’t have a Tim Tebow on their team, so they won’t get nearly the respect they deserve for blowing out a mismatched squad. Knights go over huge, 63-10.

Syracuse will try also be trying to recover from an overtime loss to the Big Ten’s Minnesota Golden Gophers. The Good News? Syracuse has shown some signs of improvement and should settle down a little with Greg Paulus. The Bad News? This ain’t Minnesota, this is the cream of the Big Ten in Penn State and this ain’t the Carrier Dome, this is Happy Valley. Bruised Oranges all around. Penn State 49-21.

The Pittsburgh Panthers will travel far north as they take on the Buffalo Bulls. The Bulls aren’t the same team without Drew Willy. The Good News? Panthers RB Dion Lewis looked studly last week with two touchdowns and 129 yards. The Bad News? This won’t be as easy of a win for Pitt as some may think. Pitt wins 24-21

In a rare move the Bulls of South Florida will travel to Bowling Green…. Kentucky to take on the Hilltoppers of Western Kentucky. The Good News? South Florida should roll over the Hilltoppers in a big way. The Bad News? South Florida won’t have the time to take in some fishing while they’re in town. South Florida 36, Western Kentucky 9.

The new darlings of the BCS, Cincinnati Bearcats will welcome in Southeast Missouri State who are coming off of a 72-3 win over Quincy. The Good News? Cincinnati will have no problems handling SEMSU down on the banks of the river. The Bad News? Style points don’t count anymore. Cincinnati continues to court the voters on and will do so in this one. Cinci 53, SEMSU – 3

The ever improving Connecticut Huskies will travel to Chapel Hill to take on Butch Davis and the Tar Heels of North Carolina. UConn is fresh off a victory off of MAC school Ohio Bobcats, while UNC earned a victory of its own. The Good News? This a solid matchup between two up and coming teams in their respective BCS Conferences. The Bad News? This is football and not basketball. Tar Heels will go over in this one, 28-14.

The West Virginia University Mountaineers welcome in Skip Holtz and East Carolina this weekend and hope to avenge a humbling loss in Greenville, SC last season. Second year coach, Bill Stewart will rely on the team of Jarrett Brown and Noel Devine to provide the offense. WVU is still the standard bearer for the Big East and I look for them to set an example this week. The Good News? This has the possibility of being a classic matchup between two hungry teams. The Bad News? West Virginia struggled last week with Jerry Falwell’s Baptist Boys from Liberty. Still, I don’t see any way ECU comes into Morgantown and picks up a victory. Mountaineer fans – just like elephants – never forget. The crowd should be nice and rowdy as WVU picks up the W, 36-10.

The Big East should look to do some damage this weekend, only dropping two games to BCS schools and should continue to get notice, even if the pundits at the Worldwide Leader in Sports has already written them off.

Louisville is on a Bye Week.

It’s Showtime in the South as conference play gets underway.

Contributed by PFB Member, Michael Terry

Well folks, cupcake week is over. With the exception of Alabama, the SEC teams started out the season with a walkover game. This week we get down to the nitty-gritty of SEC play for many teams; as well as some tough non-conference games thrown into the mix.

Alabama(4) vs. Florida International: Alabama is coming off of a win against a good Virginia Tech team looks to begin an easy stretch of two non-conference games with a spanking of Florida International. Hopefully one look at the Crimson Tide’s O-Line will keep F.I. from trying to start a brawl. This is the SEC boys. We use the game to exploit our dominance.

What to watch for: Look for Alabama to focus on their defense which allowed a few big plays that kept VT in the game last week.

Prediction: Alabama 52 – Florida International 6

Arkansas: The Hogs are off this week as they prepare for Georgia. When asked in week one for his thoughts on breaking the school passing record Coach Petrino’s only reply was, “I hope we break it again.”

Auburn vs. Mississippi State: The Chizik era at Auburn got off to a good start last week. On the opposite sideline, you have a Mississippi St. team that looked very solid last week. This one will be a good one with the edge going to Auburn.

What to watch for: Auburn O.C. Gus Malzahn to work more on his version of the spread.

Prediction: Auburn 31 – MSU 14

LSU(11) vs. Vanderbilt: LSU, though ranked 11th, is considered weak by a lot of SEC pundits. Add to that mix a Vanderbilt team who has been anything but predictable over the last three seasons and LSU could get caught napping.

What to watch for: Whether QB Jordan Jefferson can take the reigns of the LSU offense to fill the leadership vacuum, which has existed since last year.

Prediction: LSU 31 – Vanderbilt – 14

Ole Miss(6): The Runnin’ Rebels are off this week. The final score of their game against Memphis was a little deceiving. The Rebels couldn’t seem to stop the run last week and the offense was spinning its wheels for three quarters, until their depth wore out Memphis, resulting in 28 4th quarter points. Houston Nutt doesn’t do well with expectations. With a career losing record in both bowl games and against ranked opponents, it is yet to be seen if Ole Miss can live up to the hype this year.

Florida(1) vs. Troy: Troy has been an SEC punching bag for as long as I can remember. Punching bag, meet Tebow.

What to watch for: If Troy even gets off the bus.

Prediction: Florida 63 – Troy 0

Kentucky: Off week. The wildcats had a solid showing last week. They’ll be hitting the practice field this week as they gear up for Florida in a couple weeks.

Tennessee vs. UCLA: This is not the first time these teams have met. Last year in particular this matchup had its share of flying sparks.

What to watch for: Look for Coach Kiffin to show the Vol. nation that last week wasn’t a fluke.

Prediction: Tennessee 37 – UCLA 14

Matchup of the week:

Georgia(21) vs. South Carolina: Even with two powerhouse offensive coaches, the UGA/SC game has been a defensive struggle of late with only two touchdowns between them in the last three games. This is a good thing for these teams this year. Both offenses looked lost last week with new starters all over the field. Each team will rely heavily on its defense to keep them alive so they can have a chance to win it in the end. This is quickly becoming one of the SEC’s “neo-rivalries.” Both teams will try to strike back after last week which found South Carolina looking discombobulated and Georgia getting seriously “handled.”

What to watch for: Which team will make the big mistake on defense that allows the other team to take the advantage?

Prediction: Georgia 14 – SC 10

Oklahoma’s early injury troubles may pave way for Longhorn revenge. But don’t count out the other team Sooner Nation loves to hate.

Contributed by Matt Ralph, PFB Member

(Tony Gutierrez, Associated Press / September 5, 2009)

Every game matters. That’s what BCS apologists like to say about the current figure skating-esque popularity contest that is Division 1 college football. That may still be the case for teams like a healthy Colt McCoy-led Texas, but injuries to reigning Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford and NFL-caliber tight end Jermaine Grisham have already threatened to give Sooner Nation plenty of meaningless games to watch this season.

Is the Big Ten a two stallion race, or is a darkhorse looming in Ann Arbor?

After suffering years of setbacks, it appears on paper the Big Ten is in for another miserable year. After achieving only a single bowl win in the 2008 season, things aren’t looking much better for the boys from the Midwest. Following disappointing performances in Week One from three of the top teams, Ohio State, Iowa and Illinois, Week two doesn’t appear to be much better for the once strong conference.

The PFB National Game of the Week involves two historic schools that will once again square off looking to make a name for themselves in the national spotlight. No, I’m not talking about Ohio State and Southern California; I’m talking about the Michigan Wolverines and the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. Michigan is coming off of a strong showing against Western Michigan in which Coach Rich Rodriguez was able to hopefully put past controversy behind him. Michigan was carried by freshman QB Tate Forcier with 3 touchdowns and a 189 quarterback rating. Notre Dame will bring a strong defense in to the Big House that is sure to spell trouble for Forcier and Rodriguez, while also relying on the arm of – and surprise Heisman candidate – Jimmy Clausen. Clausen was lights out against a very talented Nevada team, going 15 for 18, passing for 315 yards and 4 touchdowns, the bulk of which was to Michael Floyd. In the end, I think Charlie’s goldtoppers will be too much for Rich Rod. Notre Dame 35, Michigan 21.

Oh yea, there is that other game going on this weekend when The Men of Troy invade the Horseshoe to take on The Ohio State University. Pete Carroll brings a true freshman quarterback in Matt Barkley into battle with what should be a well liquored and boisterous Buckeye Nation. If Terrelle Pryor is able to keep the mistakes to a minimum and move the ball down the field, Ohio State may stand a chance at a victory. However, if the normally conservative Buckeye play calling is business as usual, it could be a lot of 3 and outs and a long night for a young and inexperienced Ohio State defense. In the end, I think it could be the defining moment for one young quarterback, and that man is Terrelle Pryor. Ohio State pulls off the stunner at home, 28-24. Never under estimate the Horseshoe at night.

Other games from around the conference:

Illinois vs. Illinois State – Juice Williams rebounds from a disappointing performance against Mizzou and puts on a show. Zooker’s gang 39 – 10.

Wisconsin vs. Fresno State – Wisconsin is in for a long ride ahead this season, and it doesn’t get any better this week. Bulldogs over the Badgers 36-14.

Indiana vs. Western Michigan – Indiana could be a surprise team in the conference this year. Western Michigan will go 0-2 against Big Ten teams. Who ‘dem Hoosiers 24-3.

Iowa @ Iowa State – Iowa has a lot to prove after needing two blocked field goals to take out Northern Iowa. This is the game to do it. Hawkeyes by a pair, 28-14.

Michigan State vs. Central Michigan – The Spartans should pick up the victory here and head into battle the following week in South Bend. Spartans 36-10.

Minnesota vs. Air Force – Will another Big Ten team have a hard time with a service academy? Not in this one. Golden Gophers, in their new stadium, 42-9.

Northwestern vs. Eastern Michigan – The Wildcats are also a surprise team this year. The Journalism elite with the W, 24-7.

Penn State vs. Syracuse – Penn State has been looked down upon due to their non-conference schedule. Hey, at least The Orange are a BCS school. PSU big time, 49-21.