Week 2: ACC Predictions

The ACC has a number of match ups with the Big East, Big Ten and Pac 12 this week. They get the honor of hosting a top level team in Stanford, who could win the Pac 12 this year. Another match up pits ACC teams against each other in the second conference game of the season.


North Carolina QB Bryn Renner



North Carolina vs. Rutgers
Prediction: North Carolina 35, Rutgers 17
North Carolina's defense will manhandle Rutgers for at least 2 turnovers before the night is done. Rutgers had a nice win last week against an FCS foe, but they simply don't have enough firepower to hold on to a game against North Carolina. Fumbles, interceptions and an inability to score early will doom Rutgers before the first half is over.

Wake Forest vs. North Carolina State
Prediction: Wake Forest 24, North Carolina S. 28
I'm sure North Carolina state wishes a certain QB at Wisconsin had stuck around. Wilson leaving hurts them, but they still have a balanced offense and a potent defense. The Demon Deacons are going to have trouble holding on to the ball and while also stopping North Carolina State on defense. The game will be close, but I expect the North Carolina State offense to win the game for them late. Wake Forest had a hard time stopping Syracuse, it's difficult to expect them to stop North Carolina State.

Week 2: Big Ten Predictions

The Big Ten (12) is looking at a lot of different things this week. Will Texas or Oklahoma join them? Or Missouri? Can Michigan handle Notre Dame? Is Ohio State going to survive the suspensions? It's an exciting time, and this week brings some exciting games, so let's see what our predictions are.



Ohio State QB Joe Bauserman

Iowa @ Iowa State

Prediction: Iowa 35, Iowa State 14

Iowa-Iowa State has been tilted in favor of Iowa the last few years, and this year should be no different. Iowa State had a hard time taking care of Northern Iowa last week, that does not bode well for them even in a rivalry game at home. Expect another Iowa blowout.

#16 Michigan State vs. Florida Atlantic

Prediction: Michigan State 42, Florida Atlantic 7

Michigan State is looking to take the Big Ten this year with Ohio State down. That may or may not happen, but a team like Florida Atlantic certainly will not get in the way of BCS ambitions. Michigan State will sweep them aside in the first half. It really shouldn't be close by the final whistle.

#15 Ohio State vs. Toledo
Prediction: Ohio State 45, Toledo 10
Toledo plays Ohio State and Boise State within a 6 day span. That's impressive, and painful. Ohio State gets another easy home game as a tuneup for what is to come in the Big Ten. All those suspended players won't be missed against Toledo.

Preseason Conference Predictions

Here are my preseason predictions for how each team in a major conference will finish. These things aren't very exciting now, but in the future it is fun to see how you did compared to the real thing.



USC Quarterback Matt Barkley



Pacific 12 Conference:

North:

1. Oregon
2. Stanford
3. Washington
4. California
5. Oregon State
6. Washington State

South:

1. Utah
2. Arizona State
3. USC
4. Arizona
5. UCLA
6. Colorado

Championship Game: Oregon over Utah

The two best teams in the Pac this year are Stanford and Oregon, it's that easy. Sadly these two are in the same division and cannot meet up in the Pac 12 Championship game. Stanford-Oregon will decide the Pac 12 North. Washington comes on at a strong third behind the two favorite, while Oregon State suffers from major injuries and drops farther back in the Pac.

The South will be decided between three teams: USC, Arizona State and Utah. Since USC will be unable to participate in a championship game, that opens the door for Arizona State or Utah (in their first year) to take a trip to Oregon.

Click to read the Big XII, SEC, ACC and Big Ten predictions!

Week 1: ACC Predictions

The ACC, which is currently living in fear of an SEC invasion, has a very easy week ahead of them to start off the 2011-2012 college football season. Along with every other major conference in college football, the majority of their games this week will be David vs. Goliath moments with little excitement (save for those rare James Madison upsets).

Will Jacory Harris be allowed to play at Miami this year?

Georgia Tech vs. Western Carolina
Prediction: Georgia Tech 35, Western Carolina 7
Georgia Tech starts off their season on the early day this year (Thursday, September 1) with a game against Western Carolina. This game will be decided by size, with Western Carolina losing the battle in the trenches. Georgia Tech's lines will overpower the Caramounts on both sides of the ball, while Tech's QB Washington gets all the time he needs to make big plays. This game will be the start of the Tech program's turnaround after a lackluster 2010 season.

Wake Forest @ Syracuse
Prediction: WF 14, Syracuse 21
I expect this game to be a low scoring, grind-it-out sort of affair. The Wake Forest offense will ultimately fall to an under appreciated Syracuse football team. Ultimately, the road test will fall flat for the Demon Deacons. I still expect a better season for Wake Forest, and a great season for Syracuse by its standards.