Week 6 Predictions
Oct 9th 2008 - Written by: Scott Swinney
Week Six Predictions:
After a couple of weeks off we are ready to get back on track with a whole load of winners. This week brings a great slate of ACC and National games for your viewing and wagering enjoyment.
Clemson @ Wake Forest (-3) Thursday 7:30 ESPN: I don’t need to tell you guys how important this game is for Clemson and Tommy Bowden but, trying to figure out the Tigers this year would involve a trip to Asbury Park to see Madam Marie. Just when you think the Tigers are on life #9 they tend to rebound and go on a hot streak. Problem here is Wake Forest is a darn good team and Winston-Salem hasn’t been kind to Clemson in the past. Who will win: The Tigers are going to put lots of pressure on Riley Skinner and a Deacon rushing attack that has struggled will have a rough time against a big Clemson front 4. However, the Deacon defense and special teams has a knack for making a big play in games like this. Look for this one to be close before a costly Harper int. dooms the Tigers. Wake 26 Clemson 21.
Saturday Games: East Carolina (-5) @ Virginia Noon Raycom: How the heck switched uniforms with the Cavaliers last week in their shutout win against Maryland? The biggest improvement for the Cavs has been the play of their defense over the past few weeks and this unit should only get better. ECU had an up and down first half of the season with big wins over Va Tech and WVU but losses to Houston and NC State. The week off should allow the Pirates to focus on the task at hand and play on of their best games of the year. Who will win: ECU will have to take to the air against a UVA defense that is playing much better but, Patrick Pinckney is up to the task. Look for ECU to contain the Cavalier offense and put up just enough points to win. ECU 24 Virginia 14
Gardner-Webb @ Georgia Tech 3:30: Paul Johnson is in a bad mood and that doesn’t bode well for the Bulldogs this weekend. Georgia Tech has run the option to perfection and should be able to get plenty of yards on the ground despite Gardner Webb coming in allowing only 45 yards on the ground. Jaybo Shaw gets the start for the Jackets and should be able to direct a potent offense with ease. Who will win: Georgia Tech gets a nice tune up as they head in to a tough second half of the season. Georgia Tech 37 Gardner-Webb 7
Notre Dame @ North Carolina (-8) 3:30 ABC: The Tar Heels look to stay hot against an Irish team that comes in at 4-1. Granted, the Irish don’t look like some of the ND teams of the past but any time the Irish come to town it’s a big deal. This game is one of the toughest tickets for a UNC football game in 10+ years and the atmosphere will be electric. Cameron Sexton has taken over for injured TJ Yates and shown that he’s capable of running the offense but, he’s going to need the running game to get going or he will face all kinds of pressure, which could lead to costly turnovers. Jimmy Clausen seems to have found a favorite target in TE Kyle Rudolph but, he will need to spread the ball to his WR’s and RB’s against a UNC D that is ranked 19th against the pass and leads the nation in interceptions. Who will win: Notre Dame has shown a great deal of efficiency in scoring off turnovers in their wins this season and if Cam Sexton reverts to his ways of two seasons ago it will continue. Notre Dame’s only trip outside of South Bend resulted in a pounding loss at Michigan State. The road woes continue and UNC improves to 2-16 all time against ND. UNC 24 Notre Dame 13
National Games: Oklahoma (-7) vs. Texas: The Red River Shootout takes center stage this week and has all kinds of Big 12 and National Championship implications. OU has looked as strong as anyone this year and Sam Bradford is as hot as any QB in the nation. Look for this one to be close at the half but OU pulls away late. OU 37 Texas 27
South Carolina (-1) @ Kentucky: UK’s schedule hasn’t been all that difficult up to this point but they showed they are for real last week against Alabama. I was really impressed with the defensive line play of UK and feel they will be able to put all kinds of pressure on whoever is under center for South Carolina. This should be a defensive battle with the home team getting the nod in this one. UK 21 South Carolina 13
LSU @ Florida (-4) 8:00 CBS: On any other day this one would be the top game of the day but, there is a battle of top 5 teams earlier in the day that has taken some of the attention away. That doesn’t mean this one won’t be a good one. The Gators expect Percy Harvin to suit up on Saturday evening but the fact that he has missed a couple of practices this week with nagging injuries concerns me. Florida has an advantage at QB but, that’s the only place the Gators are better than LSU. I hate to bet against UF at home but I think LSU is the better team. LSU 27 Florida 20
Tennessee @ Georgia (-13): Tennessee has really struggled after blowing a big lead in it’s opener at UCLA and the heat is rising on Phillip Fulmer. Can he survive another loss and a trip to a mediocre bowl? I doubt it. UT won’t be able to sneak up on Georgia this year and the Dawgs will be looking to revenge a 35-14 loss to UT last year. Look for Georgia to come out on fire and put this one away early. Georgia 38 Tennessee 17
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