Opening the college football season at No. 6 South Carolina is a huge opportunity for the would-have-been-Coastal-Division-champ Tar Heels, and they know it. But the Gamecocks don’t lose very often in Columbia. UNC might be very good this year, and we may not know for sure even if the Tar Heels lose in an extremely hostile environment to a very good team.
Except, of course, for the way the Tar Heels play. If they can hang with South Carolina and avoid getting blown out, that could be proof enough that they are for real. But if they get dominated from the opening kickoff, it’s more proof that the SEC is king.
As if anyone needed more proof of that.
This game doesn’t just come down to UNC containing Jadeveon Clowney, although of course he’ll be a factor. All three quarterbacks --UNC’s Bryn Renner and South Carolina’s reported platoon of Connor Shaw and Dylan Thompson -- will have to play relatively mistake-free football, and both have to establish a running game, too.
The Tar Heels need their defense to step up and show last year’s poor showing was a fluke. South Carolina, on the other hand, needs its offense to sustain long drives and keep that UNC up-tempo offense off the field.
North Carolina should hang around, but the Gamecocks will eventually pull away.
Prediction: South Carolina, 33-24
8 p.m. (Saturday)
Where: Clemson Memorial Stadium
Breakdown: The
hopes and dreams of ACC pride rest solely on the shoulders of the
Tigers here. Georgia is technically the favorite according to
oddsmakers, but this game is in Death Valley. Both teams have
young/unproven secondaries and veteran, established quarterbacks, so
this could be a barn-burner. Prediction: Clemson, 45-34
5:30 p.m. (Saturday)
Where: Georgia Dome (Atlanta, Ga.)
Breakdown: This
game was already going to be difficult for Virginia Tech before a bunch
of players on both sides of the ball started getting hurt in fall camp.
Quarterback Logan Thomas and new offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler
might be able to prove themselves this season, but it won’t start here.
Virginia Tech just has to hope to get out of this one relatively
healthy. Prediction: Alabama, 45-17 (Since “pain” isn’t an option.)
8 p.m. (Monday)
Where: Heinz Field
Breakdown: It’s
the first game of the year, so even though Florida State is
(rightfully) expected to win Pitt’s first game as a member of the ACC,
anything can happen - especially on the road, as the Seminoles have
learned all too well. A redshirt freshman quarterback starting his first
game on the road against a conference opponent might be dangerous, if
said quarterback weren’t Jameis Winston.Prediction:Florida State, 31-13
3:30 p.m. (Saturday)
Where: Metlife Stadium (East Rutherford, N.J.)
Breakdown: The
classic battle of two teams that still have yet to name a starting
quarterback will make things interesting. But even a Penn State team
ravaged by sanctions and attrition has a bit more stability on both
sides of the ball at this point than do the Orange. Prediction: Penn State, 31-22
8 p.m. (Friday)
Where: Sun Life Stadium
Breakdown:
Is “The U” back? The answer to that question will still be pending a
Week 2 matchup with Florida after what will likely be a romp over a bad
Florida Atlantic team. Either way, we get to watch Duke Johnson so we
all win.Prediction: Miami, 62-12.
3:30 p.m. (Saturday)
Where: Scott Stadium
Breakdown: Both of
these teams have a lot of issues and unknowns offensively, and both are
coming off bad years on that side of the ball. It’s a long trip for the
Cougars, but BYU has always been a strong defensive team, and this year
should be no different. That should be enough against a Virginia team
that will be better this year ... but maybe not in Week 1, even at home. Prediction: BYU, 20-17
12:30 p.m. (Saturday)
Where: Carter-Finley Stadium
Breakdown:
If this were the 2012 versions of N.C. State and Louisiana Tech, it
would be a lot more interesting. Both teams underwent a coaching change
and heavy personnel losses from a year ago. N.C. State returns enough
defensively to erase any potential offensive question marks. And the
quarterback question mark is still a pretty big one, as head coach Dave
Doeren won’t announce a starter until game day. Prediction: N.C. State, 29-13.
Noon (Saturday)
Where: Bobby Dodd Stadium
Breakdown: You’d be hard-pressed to think of a better team for Georgia Tech (and its embattled defense) to open against than an FCS team that lost its quarterback and leading receiver from a year ago. The only question is, will there be more Paul Johnson sideline scowls than Elon first downs? Prediction:Georgia Tech, 63-10
Noon (Saturday)
Where: Alumni Stadium
Breakdown: This isn’t necessarily the best FCS opponent to start out with - the Wildcats were 8-4 last year, and plenty frisky - but the Eagles seem energized under first-year head coach Steve Addazio, and should be better this year. Prediction: Boston College, 44-18.
2:30 p.m. (Saturday)
Where: Byrd Stadium
Breakdown: After a year of bad luck with injuries, Maryland looks to be much better this year. Relatively speaking, anyway. And considering FIU’s quick trigger when it comes to firing coaches, Ron Turner might be on the hot seat already without having coached a game. Prediction: Maryland, 33-9.
4 p.m. (Saturday)
Where: Wallace Wade Stadium
Breakdown: It’s the Battle of Durham, but it’s a bit of a mismatch. Central fired its head coach Henry Frazier last week, and the Eagles were a long shot to win this one anyway. David Cutcliffe and Duke no longer have to sweat out games like this one anyway. Prediction: Duke, 55-13.
6:30 p.m. (Thursday)
Where: BB&T Field
Breakdown: So, Presbyterian isn’t very good. It
remains to be seen how good Wake Forest is, but the Deacons are plenty
good enough to pound the Blue Hose into submission in Week 1. Prediction: Wake Forest, 52-17.
