Week 10 Picks

We’re already into November, which means the action on the field is really intensifying.  We’ve got quite an array of games to choose from, two Coastal Division matchups, two Atlantic Division contests, an out-of-conference game at East Carolina, and a cross-divisional game with implications on how the Road to Tampa Bay will shape up.  So, without much ado, here are my picks for the week:

• VIRGINIA TECH @ East Carolina (Thursday)
• Virginia @ MIAMI
• Maryland @ NC STATE
• Wake Forest @ GEORGIA TECH
• DUKE @ North Carolina

GAME OF THE WEEK – FLORIDA STATE @ Clemson

Boston College has the week off.

Worth Noting:

• I seriously doubt anyone expected Duke to be this good coming into November.  They are currently second in the Coastal with an outside chance of winning the division outright.  Of course, a number of things would have to happen before that scenario would come to pass.  However, you gotta admit the Blue Devils have made some serious strides this past year.  To offer some perspective, a win over UNC will give the Blue Devils four conference wins, which is the same amount achieved during the last nine seasons.  Not to mention Coach Cutcliffe so far has won more games than either Carl Franks or Ted Roof, and he’s only in his second season!!  A win over the Tarheels would be even more impressive, since UNC has practically dominated the series 18 out of the last 19 seasons.  The last two games, however, have been fairly close, so perhaps this might be the year The Victory Bell makes its way back to Durham.  Then again, I am a Duke fan, so what I’ve said thus far could be mistaken for wishful thinking …
• Both Maryland and N.C. State find themselves in danger of missing the postseason altogether, which makes their game all the more important.  The Terps need to win out, although Coach Ralph Friedgen seems a bit more worried about keeping the pounds off than how the Wolfpack might react following a crushing loss to FSU.  It’s also Homecoming weekend for NCSU, as if they needed any more motivation to finally get their first conference win of the season.
• Speaking of FSU, house cleaning appears to be in order now that defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews is calling it quits at the end of the season.  He’s shown great loyalty to Bobby Bowden by helping shape the Seminoles into a formidable force over the past 26 years.  Family issues, however, have detracted from his focus and desire, leaving him with the difficult decision to walk away.  Coach Bowden will have the final say in his replacement, although he will allow Jimbo Fisher to offer his considerations.
• The Clemson-Florida State game will have implications on the Atlantic Division race, since both teams are still in contention.  The Noles continue to stay strong by putting up really impressive numbers, even with an anemic defense.  That revelation caught Dabo Swinney’s attention, especially since the Tigers have been dominant in this series as of late.