College Football: Notes From The Newsroom

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009

By Michele Gordon
CSNwashington.com contributor


Biggest surprise from last week in the ACC

The Duke Blue Devils.  Late in the fourth quarter, it looked like Virginia was going to escape with the win, but Thad Lewis hit Donovan Varner for a 42-yard touchdown pass and the Blue Devils went on to win 28-17.  Duke is now 5-3 and sitting in second place in the Coastal Division.  They even got one vote in this week’s AP poll.

Biggest letdown from last week in the ACC

It’s a toss up between the lack of defense in the NC State-Florida State game and the lack of attendance in both Tallahassee and Charlottesville.  There was a combined 1,093 yards of total offense in the Wolfpack-Seminole game (538 by NC State and 555 by FSU).  As for attendance, only 67,712 fans witnessed the lack of defense in Tallahassee, the smallest home crowd since 1993.  At UVA, only 41,713 showed up at Scott Stadium, the lowest since the stadium’s expansion in 2000.

Biggest CAA news from last week

Two things.  One, the Richmond Spiders are off to their best start in school history at 8-0. They also received one vote in this week’s AP poll, only the third-ever FCS team to be recognized by the pollsters.  The second is James Madison’s upset over #16 Delaware in Newark.  The win snapped the Dukes four-game losing skid and was their first conference victory of the season.

Maryland press conference tidbit of the week

Sophomore Torrey Smith currently ranks sixth on the ACC Kickoff return yardage chart.  He needs just two more yards to become only the 6th player in ACC history to reach 2,000 yards.
 
Virginia press conference tidbit of the week

Head Coach Al Groh is very pleased with the recent performance of sophomore defensive end Zane Parr.  In the last two and a half games, Parr has 20 total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and 1 pass break up.  Not too shabby.

Virginia Tech press conference tidbit of the week

Running back Ryan Williams needs one touchdown to set a new Virginia Tech freshman mark for touchdowns in a season.  I spent some time with this kid at the beginning of the year and I have to say it’s been a while since I’ve come across someone with so much passion for the game.  He put last Thursday’s loss to UNC on his shoulders after fumbling the ball late in that game.  I feel confident he will rebound this Thursday at East Carolina.

CAA game of the week and prediction

Oh, this is a good one.  #4 Villanova at #1 Richmond.  The Spiders are coming off a 42-14 beat down of Towson, while the Wildcats are fresh off their bye week.  It is homecoming weekend at U of R Stadium and you couldn’t ask for a better matchup.  If you can’t make it to the River City, you can see this CAA showdown at 3:30 on Comcast SportsNet (as always, not afraid of self-promotion).  My pick… Mike London and the Spiders.

ACC Game of the week and prediction

I’m going with Wake Forest at #10 Georgia Tech.  By leading the Coastal Division, the Yellow Jackets officially have the target on their backs.  Paul Johnson’s team has just two conference games remaining on their schedule (Wake and Duke).  Wake was so close to upsetting Miami last weekend while the Jackets blew out Vanderbilt 56-31.  I want to see a good, competitive game from these two, but I’m picking the Ramblin’ Wreck to come away with the victory.

Quick breakdown of UVA’s game

Virginia at #16 Miami.  The last time the Cavaliers visited South Florida, Al Groh’s bunch shut out the Canes 48-0 in their final game at the Orange Bowl.  But that was then, and this is now.  I think Jacory Harris and the ‘U’ are going to extend the Wahoos losing streak to three.

Quick breakdown of Virginia Tech’s game

#22 Virginia tech at East Carolina Thursday Night.  The Hokies MUST regain their focus and take care of business in Greenville.  Let me remind you of this time last year.  Virginia Tech lost two straight conference games to Boston College and Florida State.  But they went on to win three of their next four and found themselves in Tampa and then Miami.  Granted the Georgia Tech of last year, is not the Georgia Tech of this year, but here’s my point.  ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN ON ANY GIVEN SATURDAY IN THE ACC!!!!!  The Hokies are down, but not out.  I believe Frank Beamer will rally his team and beat the Pirates on Thursday night.

Quick breakdown of Maryland's game

Maryland heads south to visit N.C. State.  The Terps should be feeling rested and rejuvenated after their much-needed bye week while the Wolfpack are coming off a ridiculous 45-42 loss to Florida State. N.C. State quarterback Russell Wilson is a beast and will be a big challenge for the Terps defense.  The Terps fans have to hope Maryland offensive coordinator James Franklin saw plenty of flaws in a Wolfpack defense that gave up 555 yards offense and will exploit that Saturday in Raleigh  Guess what kids?  I’m picking the Terps.

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