I will say this, a redshirt freshman quarterback getting his first start in Columbia,SC has disaster written all over it for NC State backers. All you have to do is look at a very similar situation that happened a few years back in 2003. However, this time the books had the audacity to make UVA a 3 point favorite in Columbia even though the Cavaliers were giving the young Anthony Martinez the first start of his career at the quarterback position. The result: 31-7 Gamecocks over the nationally ranked UVA squad. This one could be worse.
Baylors new head coach Art Briles had a dynamic offense at the University of Houston and will try to simulate that here behind a veteran offensive line. He better gather up some speed as ten of their twelve games are on artificial surfaces this year. Bears defensive front will get dominated by most of the offensive lines in this conference which will put added pressure on their secondary where they have two converted offensive players starting.
South Carolina: Wasn't it late October last year when the Gamecocks were ranked # 7? What happened? Well, for one, a revolving door offensive line policy which led to protection problems and a poor running game. Add to that, a revolving door QB policy which led to an 0-5 finish. Can any QB satisfy Coach Spurrier? Similar thing could happen this year with QB's Smelley and Beecher. If they can get that worked out, the Gamecocks could have a solid season. Three of their four SEC road games are winnable. Games at Vandy, Kentucky and Ole Miss are winnable games especially with this defense. 10 starters return on a defense anchored by ALL SEC LB's Jasper Brinkley and Eric Norwood and that should be the strength of this team. There is still a gap between them and Florida or Georgia, but they are distancing themselves from the bottom of the SEC East.
N.C. State: Wolfpack return only four starters from a defense that finishes ahead of only Duke in the ACC a year ago. They do return Sr. QB Daniel Evans, but he is on shaky ground and could eventually lose his job to Mike Glennon. They do have a solid core of RBs led by Jamelle Eugene and Andre Brown, but lose all three starting wide receivers. Adding South Carolina and South Florida to their schedule hurts their chances of a winning season.
Wake Forest: It has been an incredible two year run for the Demon Deacons. They win the ACC as a 35-1 underdog in 06 despite losing their QB and RB in September. They follow that up with a nine win season a year ago and a bowl victory over Connecticut. This years team will need to duplicate last years ACC leading 35 takeaways to come anywhere near last years 9-4 record as they are going to have difficulty scoring. There are not enough playmakers on offense and the heart of their offensive line is gone. Their defense could keep them in some low scoring battles. If so, they will need that positive turnover margin to continue, but with the third and longs that I foresee, that is going to be difficult to obtain.
yes, my opinion is very biased, but teasing the gamecocks is pretty solid. I dont see the wolfpack scoring double digits. this defense is very tough and should keep NC st out of the endzone. the offense is always a question mark. dont know about cover 13, but USC to win by atleats a TD is solid.
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8/28...thursday nite tease...wake forest/south carolina
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