ACC & CAA preview, week four

The ACC expands to fourteen members, while a bunch of Virginia teams look to expand their records! With wins! Ha!

September 23, 2011; 3:42 PM • by Ross Catrow

This week the ACC expanded to fourteen members adding Pitt and Syracuse. Currently, the ACC is the only football conference that has fourteen members, which kind of blows my mind! For a while there it looked like the ACC would be content to sit on the sidelines, waiting to pick over the crusty remains of newly destroyed conferences. But, it turns out, the ACC is the one destroying conferences! Hooray!

Last week I picked one upset: Liberty over JMU. This was a mistake, but not a huge one as the Flames kept it close until the final two minutes. This puts me at 15-2 for the season. Not too shabby (tabby)!

Virginia Tech vs. Marshall

I made the trip up to Blacksburg last weekend for the Arkansas State game, and I had a blast. Bummer y’all couldn’t join me, we had some killer sausages–stop by next time!

The offensive game plan, which was mostly successful, involved pounding David Willson up the middle a trillion times. He seems to be more suited using his speed to hit the corner, but sometimes you have to rely on relentlessly boring play calling to get things done. Logan Thomas had a decent game and continues to make incremental improvements. Sure he had a couple of interceptions, but, hey, that’s what you expect with a young guy.

This week’s game against Marshall is our last game before the conference schedule starts (with Clemson, ack!). Coach Beamer will take part in a pregame ceremony honoring the members of the Marshall football team who died in the 1970 plane crash. A couple of former Hokies were on board including Frank Loria.

Aside from the emotional story line, the Hokies shouldn’t have much difficulty dealing with the Herd. Look for continued improvement from Logan Thomas and more vanilla play calling as we gear up for Clemson next week.

Virginia vs. Southern Miss

I choose you, Wahoos! Although, my business partner, @scottpharr totally does not choose you. Listen, UVa. UNC is a good team (theoretically), there’s no shame in losing to them on their home field. There is still plenty of time to get things back on track, and it all starts with a solid thumping of a C-USA team–assuming Rocco can stop throwing the ball to the other team.

PS. Rocco has one touchdown and four interceptions so far this season.

Richmond vs. New Hampshire

And so it begins: the steely, toothlined CAA schedule.

I can’t really figure out New Hampshire (ranked #11). They lost to Toledo–who nearly beat Ohio State. They beat Lehigh, but it took them an overtime to do it. The Spiders (ranked #5) on the other hand are 3-0 and have a win over an FBS opponent, but they’ve played pretty sloppy so far. I’m guessing Aaron Corp continues to improve, and the Spiders roll.

JMU vs. William & Mary

Can the Dukes take it on the road–and win–for the second week in a row? I will say yes? With a question mark? I mean, guys: W&M nearly lost last week to a DivII team. What the what!

Technically, this would be an upset. JMU is ranked #12 while The Whammer is ranked #6.

Old Dominion vs. Delaware

You know, I used to live in Delaware. BUT NOW I LIVE IN VIRGINIA. GO MONARCHS. But, sadly, that is not how reality works sometimes. While ODU has been tearing it up against inferior competition, I just don’t think they are ready to face the #7 ranked Blue Hens. Especially not in Tubby Raymond Stadium(!).

September 23, 2011 3:42 PM 0