ACC Needs Better Week Two

The ACC did not get off to a good start in the 2009 football season last weekend, only winning one game as a conference against a FBS opponent and going 0-2 against the Colonial Athletic Association (thanks UVA and Duke). This weekend is huge for ACC football as they look to try and get some decent wins against out of conference competition. The ACC did have a nice lift the past two games, with FSU and Miami as well as Georgia Tech and Clemson putting on nice shows on national television. However, there are two things a conference is usually measured upon. One, if your conference has a national title contender it helps because they are constantly in the national spotlight and it just makes the conference "feel" tougher as a team that could win it all is playing week and week out. Two, how your conference does against the other major conferences. The ACC got off to a horrible start and needs to improve this weekend.

NORTH CAROLINA vs. Connecticut

UNC looked fine last week beating up on the Citadel, but this will be a much tougher test. UCONN is always well coached and will be looking for revenge after losing lat year. if UNC can run the football they will win the game as they can let their defense do the rest.

Pick: UNC 27 UCONN 20

WAKE FOREST vs. Stanford

Wake was beaten last seek by Baylor 24-21 and this game is huge for their chances at bowl eligibility. This also would be a nice win for the ACC as Wake is projected to finish in about the same spot that Stanford is in the Pac-10. Stanford has a good passing attack behind freshman QB Andrew Luck. If Wake can pressure him, they have a good shot.

Pick: Wake 28, Stanford 24

DUKE vs. Army

Duke was one of the two biggest disappointments of the first weekend losing to FCS Richmond. Duke desperately needs this win for team morale as well as to keep any interest from the fanbase. If Duke loses this game and starts 0-2 with losses to Richmond and Army, Duke administration will not need to hire a cleaning crew after the next home game because no one will be there.

PICK: Duke 30, Army 20

VIRGINIA TECH vs. Marshall

Virginia Tech played OK in their opener, falling to Alabama 34-24. It wasn't quite as close as the score indicated, but VT did not get destroyed as Clemson did one year ago. This would be another huge blow to the conference's reputation should VT, projected to win the ACC, lose to Marshall. Marshall has a nice team and could pull an upset if VT comes in and tries to sleepwalk through this game.

PICK: Virginia Tech 28, Marshall 17

BOSTON COLLEGE vs. Kent State

BC should have another easy win here to open their season 2-0. Kent St. will be tougher than Northeastern was a week ago though.

PICK: BC 38, Kent St. 20

VIRGINIA vs. TCU

Virginia was the laughing stock of the ACC a week ago losing to William and Mary. That loss will most likely be one that costs Al Groh his job at the end of the year. He could do a lot today to save it if he could pull the upset on a top 20 ranked team. It is not going to happen though.

PICK: Virginia 14, TCU 35

FLORIDA STATE vs. Jacksonville St.

Florida State came up just short in their opener against Miami. This game should be easy enough for the Seminoles. The only way they have any trouble is if they are not over losing last week and come out and just go through the motions. Jacksonville St. does have former LSU QB Ryan Perrilloux, who was a top 2 QB in his high school senior class.

PICK: FSU 48, Jacksonville St. 10

MARYLAND vs. James Madison

Maryland took a beating last week against Cal (52-10). Hopefully they will rebound this week against a Colonial Athletic Association team. James Madison is a decent team and Maryland will have to play pretty well to get a win here.

PICK: Maryland 27, James Madison 17

NORTH CAROLINA STATE vs. Murray State

NC State looked bad in their opener offensively against South Carolina, scoring only 3 and gaining only 133 yards of total offense. They will look to take out their frustrations on Murray St. as this will probably be a game where State fans will get to see more of Mike Glennon. This SHOULD be an easy win for the Wolfpack but you never know with ACC football.

PICK: NC State 40, Murray St. 13