Week 5: SEC/ ACC, TNG previews a heavyweight battle in Blacksburg and a Showdown in the Swamp

Happy Friday and welcome to our Week 5 previews for the SEC and ACC games. Next week we'll be back to a regular posting schedule, but things have been crazy with a move to Nevada this weekend for half of our staff. Here's to great coaches:

ACC-

Boston College +2.5 vs. Wake Forest
Maryland OFF vs. Towson
NC State +9.5 vs. Georgia Tech
Virginia -16.5 vs. Idaho
Miami (FL) OFF vs. Bethune-Cookman
Virginia Tech -7 vs. Clemson
East Carolina +6 vs. North Carolina

Marcus Says...

Virginia Tech -7 vs. Clemson
Two ACC heavyweights collide in Blacksburg, VA on Saturday night. Both teams enter the game 4-0 and Clemson is riding high coming off wins against Auburn and Florida State. Clemson QB Tajh Boyd has been impressive, having thrown 13 TD passes and rushed for 2 more while only throwing 1 interception. The Hokies have put in work on the ground led by RB David Wilson and his 516 rushing yards, but the Virginia Tech defense is the strength of the team allowing only 10 points per game (albeit against weaker competition). The Tigers are trying to avoid a repeat of 2006 when Clemson came to Blacksburg on a winning streak just to get embarrassed by the Hokies. Virginia Tech is tough at home and will be ready to step up against Clemson. However 7 points seems like a big number, my early feeling is Clemson and the points in an overall Va Tech W.


SEC-

Miss. St. @ Georgia -7
Texas A&M -3 @ Arkansas
Kentucky @ LSU -30.5
Buffalo @ Tennessee -28.5
Auburn @ S. Carolina -10
Alabama -4.5 @ Florida
Ole Miss @ Fresno State -4


Kyle Says...

Auburn @ S. Carolina -10
The line seems steep at first glance. Auburn has had no problem putting points on the board this season, and despite his youth, first year QB Barrett Trotter has looked solid for the Tigers. It’s their defense that’s the trouble, and you’d better believe the ole’ ball coach knows it. Look for a heaping helping of Marcus Lattimore, enough even to allow a confirmed idiot like Stephen Garcia enough easy shots down the field. The ‘Cocks are rushing for 214 yards per game, and the Tigers are near the bottom of the D1 defense barrel. Look for S. Carolina to cover.

Alabama -4.5 @ Florida
A lot of people are looking at this as a statement game for the Gators. They are a finely tuned machine on offense and have quietly amassed one of the more effective defenses- giving up the fourth-fewest points in D1 football- in the SEC. There’s a big but here though, and not Charlie Weis’. ‘Bama does it in big games. They stomped out in Happy Valley and dismantled a high-flying Arkansas attack last week. The Tide’s defense is probably the best in the nation, giving up just 8 points per game. Add in an effective, two-headed running game, and the Tide covers easily in the Swamp.