No. 3 Florida State (6-0, 4-0 ACC) is flying high after thrashing Clemson last weekend and the Seminoles are No. 2 in the latest BCS standings, their highest ranking in years.
Now, an N.C. State team that has lost two in a row and has yet to win an ACC game comes calling. It has all the ingredients for a letdown game.
But FSU head coach Jimbo Fisher has reminded his team all week how badly it felt last year when N.C. State beat them, knocking them out of consideration for a top-tier BCS poll. FSU could never really bounce back from that loss, and it caused the media and outsiders to question the Seminoles' credibility all last season.
This isn’t the same Florida State team, though. Nor is it in the same N.C. State team (3-3, 0-3 ACC), which is much younger than last year’s version.
If there’s a good sign for the Wolfpack, it’s that starting quarterback Brandon Mitchell will be back after breaking his foot in the first quarter of Game 1 this year. He should provide a spark to the sputtering N.C. State offense.
It won’t be enough, though. Florida State is clearly on a mission, and it is not going to let up in this one.
When: 3:30 p.m. (Saturday)Where: Doak Campbell StadiumPrediction: Florida State, 45-16
When: Noon (Saturday)Where: Sun Life Stadium
Breakdown: Wake Forest is playing a lot better right now, winners of its last two ACC games over N.C. State and a once-resurgent Maryland. But taking on a talented, athletic Miami team on the road is too tall an order.
Prediction: Miami, 38-17
When: 3:30 p.m. (Saturday)Where: Byrd Stadium
Breakdown: Clemson had to have lost at least a little bit of confidence last week in the 51-14 loss to Florida State, but Maryland is just far too depleted to put up much of a fight. The Terps’ injury situation is eerily similar to last year’s carnage.
Prediction: Clemson, 37-16
When: 3:30 p.m. (Saturday)Where: Lane Stadium
Breakdown: Just like last year, Duke will head to Virginia Tech a win away from bowl eligibility. And just like last year, the Blue Devils will probably have to wait at least another week before earning their sixth win. Virginia Tech’s defense is too good, and the Hokies are coming off a bye. Still, Virginia Tech needs to get its offense moving a bit more efficiently.
Prediction: Virginia Tech, 27-16
When: 3:30 p.m. (Saturday)Where: Kenan Stadium
Breakdown: Boston College has played very well in recent losses to Florida State and Clemson, but this just feels like North Carolina’s game to lose. It makes no logical sense, as the Eagles run the ball well and have some weapons in the passing game, but the Tar Heels have to beat a BCS-league team at some point, right?
Prediction: North Carolina, 31-25
When: 12:30 p.m. (Saturday)Where: Scott Stadium
Breakdown: Virginia is in a free fall after losing a 22-0 lead at home to Duke last year and surrendering 35 straight points in a shocking loss. Georgia Tech looked like the team it is capable of being in a 56-0 thrashing of Syracuse last weekend. You do the math.
Prediction: Georgia Tech, 33-20
When: 1 p.m. (Saturday)Where: Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium
Breakdown: Navy has lost two in a row after a 3-1 start, both mistake-plagued games where its defense couldn’t get stops. Pitt has been up and down all season, but the Panthers have weapons like its wide receiver tandem of Devin Street and Tyler Boyd that should be too much for the Mids’ defense.
Prediction: Pitt, 31-17
Week 8: 5-1 (4-1 ACC)Overall: 55-13 (17-7 ACC)
