Sep 17, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) avoids the tackle of Florida State Seminoles linebacker Dontavious Jackson (5) during the second quarter at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium. Photo Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports
Duke @ Louisville – How to quell the nation’s number one offense which produed 692 yards per game is the question on the mind of Blue Devils’ head coach David Cutcliffe. The balance that Lamar Jackson brings to the Cardinals offense as they tally a balanced 300 yards via the run and the pass is hard to defend. The Blue Devils rate 26th in the nation in total defense, but the number is skewed since opponents have included North Carolina Central, Army, and the challenged defenses at Virginia and Notre Dame. The caliber of athletes on the field in general is a mismatch which favors the Cardinals overwhelmingly. Cardinals 49, Blue Devils 17.
North Carolina at Miami – The team that reinvents itself in this game should win. It depends on the mentality and the psyche. The Tar Heels were ripped in the remnants of Hurricane Matthew, 34-3, by Virginia Tech. The Hokies defense frustrated Mitch Trubisky, forcing him to only 58 yards passing and two interceptions. The game was a huge letdown for the Tar Heels who won at FSU, 37-35, two weeks ago. Meanwhile, Miami controlled Florida State for one half, but sputtered offensively in the second as the ‘Canes recorded three punts and interception before a late TD pass from Brad Kaaya to Stacy Coley seemed to have given Miami a shot to tie the game and force overtime. However, FSU’s DeMarcus Walker blocked Michael Badgley’s extra point and the Hurricanes lost a game that they should have won, 20-19. Hurricanes 27, Tar Heels 24.
NC State at Clemson – The Tigers offense has gotten in gear the last two weeks in scoring 98 points against Louisville and outmanned Boston College. The Wolfpack sit at 15th in the nation in total defense, but again, the number may be inflated with the caliber of competition and the ability of the offenses they have faced. Deshaun Watson has completed 35 of 56 passes the last two weeks and passed for nine touchdowns and 576 yards. He has also carried the ball 23 times for 124 yards. The Wolfpack come off a 10-3 win over Notre Dame in the midst of Hurricane Matthew as a blocked punt for a score sealed the Irish’s fate in a game that probably should have been postponed until Sunday or Monday. Tigers 48, Wolfpack 19.
Wake Forest at Florida State – The Demon Deacons rolled to 5-1 as they used another balanced offensive attack and a stifling defense in defeating Syracuse, 28-9. The difference in this game is once again athletes and the lack of experience in going on the road to play in an iconic stadium such as Doak-Campbell. FSU’s defense will be able to control the game and the one-on-one match-ups for Deondre Francois with wide receivers Jesus Wilson and Travis Rudolph around the all-around offensive game of Dalvin Cook, who has caught 20 passes, will make this easy for FSU. Seminoles 45, Demon Deacons 17.
Pitt at Virginia – If the Cavaliers had been able to hang on for the win over UConn, they would be at 3-2 and we would be talking six wins and a potential lower level bowl bid in Bronco Mendenhall’s first season and that coming with a low level of overall talent across the board. The Panthers will come into Charlottesville and try to flex their physicality on the offensive line with the running game. The Panthers average 244 yards per game on the ground and Virginia gives up 162 per outing. The Cavaliers are also 117th in the nation in red zone defense, yielding 18 scores in 19 opponent’s attempts. Panthers 31, Cavaliers 16.
Virginia Tech at Syracuse – The Hokies 34-3 win in Chapel Hill was the first landmark victory of the Justin Fuentes era. Now, how does Virginia Tech go forward in the Carrier Dome vs. a smarting Syracuse that was clearly taken out of its offensive game by Wake Forest? Jerod Evans has stepped up in a major way at quarterback for Virginia Tech with 15 touchdowns against one pick while he is second in rushing behind Travon McMillan with 258 yards. The Orange defense gives up 201 yards per game on the ground and 36 points per game. Hokies 42, Orange 17.
Georgia Southern at Georgia Tech – It was a tough loss for the Eagles in SunBelt play last week as winless Arkansas State picked up its first win and dealt a blow to GSU’s Sun Belt title hopes. The running game is on display again with two option offenses. Georgia Southern has five backs with over 200 yards, led by Matt Beinda and Wesley Fields with 279 yards each. Dedrick Mills leads the Yellow Jackets with 357 yards and seven touchdowns. Yellow Jackets 38, Eagles 31.
