2008 ACC Football Predictions: Week 8

Week 8 in the ACC
The first full slate of six conference games comes in Week 8. I'm picking Maryland to upset Wake Forest because Wake will have just played two tough opponents in the four weeks leading up to this one and because Maryland is always good for an upset at home. Last year they beat Boston College in College Park. Also, look for Virginia to hold serve at home against North Carolina. This will be a good game as by Week 8 I think the 'Hoos will be decent enough to beat teams that are at their level, like the Tar Heels.

Bye Weeks
None!

Game of the Week
Maryland over Wake Forest

Oct. 16
Florida State wins at NC State

Oct. 18
Virginia Tech wins at Boston College
Clemson over Georgia Tech
Miami over Duke
Virginia over North Carolina

ACC Standings after Week 8

Atlantic
CLEM 6-1, 3-1
WAKE 5-1, 2-1
FSU 5-1, 2-1
MARY 5-2, 2-1
BC 5-1, 2-1
NCST 1-6, 0-3

Coastal
VT 6-1, 3-0
MIA 5-2, 2-1
UVA 4-3, 2-1
GT 3-4, 1-3
DUKE 3-3, 0-3
UNC 2-5, 0-3

College Fantasy Football

I'm in an eight-team league this year with a 15 player roster limit. We held our draft last night and here's my team:

Virginia is for Hustlers
QB: Chase Daniel, Missouri; Riley Skinner, Wake Forest
RB: James Davis, Clemson; Tyrell Sutton, Northwestern; Keiland Williams, LSU; Darrell Scott, Colorado; Javarris James, Miami
WR: Percy Harvin, Florida; Vidal Hazelton, USC; Sammie Stroghter, Oregon State
TE: Ryan Purvis, BC
D: Ohio State; Missouri
K: Mark Buchholz, Clemson; Dustin Keys, Virginia Tech

My only concern is at running back. Davis is going to be splitting carries and while Sutton is good, Northwestern is going to be trailing in a lot of games and not able to run the ball. Hopefully Scott turns out to be a stud. I had the sixth overall pick in the draft and took Daniel. The first round went like this:

First Round
1. Graham Harrell, Texas Tech
2. Tim Tebow, Florida
3. Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech
4. Knowshon Moreno, Georgia
5. Pat White, West Virginia
6. Chase Daniel, Missouri
7. Sam Bradford, Oklahoma
8. Beanie Wells, Ohio State

Needless to say, we live in Big 12 country.

2008 VT Stat Projection: Offense

Last year, the Hokies were No. 100 in the country in total offense and still won 11 games. Their 330.5 yards per game was good enough for 8th in the conference. However, their 28.71 points per game was 2nd behind Clemson. How? The defense. Directly or indirectly, the Tech defense helped account for a lot of points.

It wasn't just Beamerball with non-offensive touchdowns. It was creating turnovers and winning the field position battle. The Hokies worked with a short field a lot in 2007 and it attributed to both the high ranking in points per game and the low ranking in yards per game.

Of course, it didn't help that for the first half of the season the offense was inept at best. But this year, we should see a more effective offense even without any returning starters at running back or wide receiver.

The offensive line is greatly improved. It's light-years ahead of where the Hokies were at O-line last year. There will be holes for running backs to run through and I expect them to find them. There will be time for the quarterback to make decisions and I expect them to make the right ones. The O-line dictates everything on offense and Tech has a solid front.

So, on with the projections for the Hokies on offense.

Last year, Tech averaged 133.64 yards per game rushing and 196.86 yards per game passing. Those numbers won't be significantly higher, but I believe they will be improved.

2008 Hokie Rushing Yards: 155.0 YPG
2008 Hokie Passing Yards: 230.0 YPG
2008 Hokie Total Yards: 380.0 YPG

A caveat here: I think Tyrod Taylor will get a lot of rushing yards. I think he will end up splitting time with Sean Glennon and we'll see Tyrod use his feet. Also, with the improved offensive line, there will be fewer sacks. Glennon "rushed" for (-43) yards last year thanks mainly to sacks.

Glennon, meanwhile, won't have the same targets he had to throw to last year. However, he'll be upright a lot more than last year and when you give Glennon time to throw he's pretty good.

Last year, 385.0 YPG would have put the Hokies at No. 69 in the nation. That would be a big improvement over the last couple of years. It would also alleviate some pressure on offensive coordinator Bryan Stinespring, who a lot of Hokie fans can't stand. Yes, the offense is stale and often depressing. But for the athletes Tech has, it works. Other than Lee Suggs and Kevin Jones, the offense hasn't been very talented since Michael Vick left after the 2000 season.

The Hokies Under Stinespring
2007: 330.50 YPG - No. 100 NCAA - No. 8 ACC
2006: 295.15 YPG - No. 99 NCAA - No. 9 ACC
2005: 380.92 YPG - No. 57 NCAA - No. 4 ACC
2004: 365.54 YPG - No. 65 NCAA - No. 4 ACC
2003: 401.77 YPG - No. 38 NCAA - No. 3 BE
2002: 371.64 YPG - No. 64 NCAA - No. 5 BE

I'm not a complete Stiney detractor. By all accounts he's a great guy and Coach Beamer trusts him. But how many offensive coordinators have been outside the Top 50 in total offense every year but one for the last six years and kept their jobs?

Stinespring hasn't had the talent the produce a top offense at Virginia Tech, but he might soon. If the offense improves this year he will get the chance to coach those players. But if the offense is again ranked as low as it has been the last two years, will the heat on him be enough that Beamer will move on? I think it might.

If the offense improves like I think it will this year, I think it will keep improving. The Hokies are finally starting to get top talent on offense with Tyrod, Ryan Williams and Dyrell Roberts. The future finally looks bright on the offensive side of the ball.

2008 ACC Football Predictions: Week 7

Week 7 in the ACC
Not a lot of games this week in the ACC as half the conference has the week off. Virginia Tech finally takes a week off after playing the first six weeks of the season. Maybe the biggest game in the conference of the season goes to Wake Forest. They have a home game, will be able to stop Clemson's run game and Clemson has yet to win a big game under Tommy Bowden. The Tigers seem to have Wake's number, but look for the Deacs to finally get a win in the series. After Week 7, we will be half-way through the regular season.

Bye Weeks
Virginia Tech, Boston College, Florida State, Maryland, NC State, Duke

Oct. 9 and Game of the Week
Wake Forest over Clemson

Oct. 11
Notre Dame wins at North Carolina
Virginia over ECU
Miami over UCF
Georgia Tech over Gardner-Webb

ACC Standings after Week 7

Atlantic
WAKE 5-0, 2-0
BC 5-0, 2-0
CLEM 5-1, 2-1
FSU 4-1, 1-1
MARY 4-2, 1-1
NCST 1-5, 0-2

Coastal
VT 5-1, 2-0
MIA 4-2, 1-1
UVA 3-3, 1-1
GT 3-3, 1-2
DUKE 3-2, 0-2
UNC 2-4, 0-2

2008 Mid-Major Football Predictions

No one cares about the non-BCS conferences until one of them upsets a good team. Well, that could happen this year. Watch out for Utah, RichRod. No, really, I think the Utes will beat Michigan. Here are the mid-majors to watch:

Utah (MWC) - Really good on defense. Solid quarterback. I think they'll beat Michigan.

BYU (MWC) - Really good on offense. Best quarterback you've never heard of in Max Hall. Good on defense. BYU-Utah could be a battle of the unbeatens. Seriously.

East Carolina (CUSA) - Beat Boise State (OMG! Boise State!) in the Hawai'i Bowl last season. Skip Holtz is a good coach. Need consistent QB play.

Fresno State (WAC) - A lot of preseason mags think they'll be this year's Boise State or Hawai'i and make a BCS run. I think they're going to suck. So you may want to watch that.

North Texas (SBC) - If anything, they'll be fun to watch. TADD DADGE has had his system in place for a whole year and now his son will likely be his quarterback. The University of Southlake Carroll will put up a lot of points.

Central Michigan (MAC) - If they didn't play Georgia, I'd think they could run the table. I really like their quarterback, Dan LeFevour.

2008 Gobbler Country Expectations

Here's what I, as an over-zealous fan with Internet access, would like to see out of the 2008 edition of the Virginia Tech Hokies football team:

1. Go Undefeated at Home
This one needs to happen. The Hokies have lost at least one game at home every year since 2001. This time, the schedule is easy enough to make it probably. The Hokies need to regain sense of invincibility at Lane Stadium. It isn't there anymore.

2. Have an Offense in the Top 70
The Hokies were ranked No. 100 in total offense in 2007 and No. 99 in 2006. Let's try to work on that.

3. Have a Defense Ranked in the Top 20
I expect the D to take a step back this year after losing so much talent. But I don't think it will be a step all the way back to 2003.

4. Develop the Young Talent
Don't redshirt Tyrod. Let him continue to improve as a quarterback and leader of the offense. This is Glennon's team, but having Tyrod on the field makes a lot more sense than letting him sit on the bench all year. If Ryan Williams, Dyrell Roberts and other freshman are ready, let them see the field and experience the speed of D1 football.

5. Win in Tallahassee or Miami
I think one of these two games are going to be a loss. But if the Hokies drop both, they will be in serious jeopardy or losing the Coastal.

6. Beat UNC and Win the Division
I'm tired of reading about how UNC is ready to start staking its claim under Butch Davis. Is Butchie really that good a coach? We'll find out in Week 4. Crush them, please.

7. Win the Bowl Game
I hate spending the money to travel to these things only to see an unprepared team that used the bowl as a reward get beat by an inferior team (except UGa, they were pretty good that year). There was no excuse for losing to Kansas. If you're going to not give a shit in the bowl, at least tell me in advance so I don't waste my time and money and fly down to Miami.

Coming next week: Projections for the hokie offense, defense and selected players in 2008.

2008 ACC Football Predictions: Week 6

Week 6 in the ACC
We almost have a full-slate of conference games in Week 6. Clemson and Wake Forest take the week off to prepare for their Thursday Night slug-fest in Week 7. Florida State will be at full-strength when they travel to Miami. That and the Hokies will need the 'Noles to beat the 'Canes. The other conference games are intriguing even if they feature lesser teams. Tom O'Brien gets another shot at his former team, this time in Raleigh and Maryland travels to Charlottesville where it hopes to contain the Wahoo ground game better than it did last season (they will).

Bye Weeks
Clemson and Wake Forest (teams meet in Week 7)

Game of the Week
Florida State wins at Miami

Oct. 4
Virginia Tech over Western Kentucky
Boston College wins at NC State
Maryland wins at Virginia
Georgia Tech over Duke
Connecticut wins at North Carolina

ACC Standings after Week 6

Atlantic
CLEM 5-0, 2-0
BC 5-0, 2-0
WAKE 4-0, 1-0
FSU 4-1, 1-1
MARY 4-2, 1-1
NCST 1-5, 0-2

Coastal
VT 5-1, 2-0
MIA 3-2, 1-1
UVA 2-3, 1-1
GT 2-3, 1-2
DUKE 3-2, 0-2
UNC 2-3, 0-2

2008 Pac 10 Football Prediction

Here's how the Pac 10 will go: USC will look like the juggernaut that they are, they'll lose to someone they have no business losing to (see Oregon State in 2006 and Stanford in 2007) and it will cost them a spot in the BCS Championship. This league has a lot of average quarterbacks and, unlike previous years, some pretty good defenses. The Pac 10 used to be dominated by USC because they were the only team that played good defense. The rest of the league is catching up.

Pac 10 Standings
1. USC (Yeah, I'm really going out on a limb)
2. Arizona State (I'm a real risk-taker)
3. Oregon (The surprises continue)
4. UCLA (Real creative as well)
5. Arizona
6. Oregon State
7. Washington State
8. Cal
9. Stanford
10. Washington

- Well, there you go. The least upsetting predictions of them all. I saved the worst for last. Happy Friday, everyone. Enjoy the Olympics, they're our best chance at getting through the home stretch to CALLLAGE FOOTBAWL.

2008 ACC Football Predictions: Week 5

Week 5 in the ACC
I don't think Virginia Tech will be able to win on the road at Nebraska. They're too young and too light in the defensive front seven to beat the Huskers. Meanwhile, I think Miami out-classes North Carolina in talent and beats them in Miami. Duke's magical run comes to an end against Virginia. The 'Hoos will be able to run all day on Duke.

Bye Weeks
Georgia Tech

Game of the Week
Nebraska over Virginia Tech

Sept. 27
Clemson over Maryland
Virginia wins at Duke
Miami over North Carolina
Florida State over Colorado (Jacksonville)
South Florida wins at NC State
Wake Forest over Navy
Boston College over Rhode Island

ACC Standings after Week 5

Atlantic
CLEM 5-0, 2-0
BC 4-0, 1-0
WAKE 4-0, 1-0
FSU 3-1, 0-1
MARY 3-2, 0-1
NCST 1-4, 0-1

Coastal
VT 4-1, 2-0
MIA 3-1, 1-0
UVA 2-2, 1-0
DUKE 3-1, 0-1
UNC 2-2, 0-2
GT 1-3, 0-2

2008 Big East Football Prediction

Everyone think UConn will take a big step down this year. But why? The Huskies return a ton of starters, including a solid quarterback. Everyone is very high on Pitt. But why? Other than beating West Virginia, they were terrible last year. And their coach isn't very good. Their running back, LeSean McCoy is neck-in-neck with Noel Devine for the title of best running back in the Big East, but their quarterback lacks skill. Either way, it will be interesting to see who finishes second to West Virginia this year.

Big East Standings
1. West Virginia
2. South Florida
3. Connecticut
(HUUUUUUUGE dropoff)
4. Pittsburgh
5. Cincinnati
6. Louisville
7. Rutgers
8. Syracuse

- I'm putting UConn at No. 3 by default. Even if people think they won't be as good as last year, they're still good enough to finish third in this league. West Virginia will lose a game, to who, I don't know. They just seem to find a way to lose games they aren't supposed to in this league. However, they won't lose to the Bulls. All the preseason talk about how the Bulls have WVU's number means the Mountaineers will beat them by a lot of points.

ESPN's VT Preview

David Teel from the Newport News Daily Press previews the Hokies' season for ESPN. Teel discusses:

- The effect the events of April 16, 2007, still has on the team
- The loss of Branden Ore and the RB situation
- Why he feels Coach Beamer wants Tyrod to win the QB job
- Why Tech is expected to win the Division

2008 ACC Football Predictions: Week 4

Week 4 in the ACC
This could be upset week in the ACC. Virginia Tech travels to UNC, but I don't think the Tar Heels can score enough points to beat the Hokies. A game that could decide who wins the Atlantic takes place in Tallahassee as the 'Noles and Deacs face each other. If FSU wasn't so banged up and didn't have so many players suspended, I'd say they beat Wake. However, I think the Deacs survive this one and get a key tiebreaker over the 'Noles. This might be the best week for non-conference match-ups.

Bye Weeks
Duke and Virginia

Game of the Week
Wake Forest wins at Florida State

Sept. 20
Virginia Tech wins at North Carolina
ECU wins at NC State
Mississippi State wins at Georgia Tech
Miami wins at Texas A&M
Boston College over UCF
Clemson over SC State
Maryland over Eastern Michigan

ACC Standings after Week 4

Atlantic
CLEM 4-0, 1-0
BC 3-0, 1-0
WAKE 3-0, 1-0
MARY 3-1, 0-0
FSU 2-1, 0-1
NCST 1-3, 0-1

Coastal
VT 4-0, 2-0
DUKE 3-0, 0-0
MIA 2-1, 0-0
UVA 1-2, 0-0
UNC 2-1, 0-1
GT 1-3, 0-2