Weekend Viewing Guide

For BCS most teams, the opening of football season means a turn up at home to get ready for the real action later in the season. The ACC is not much different than most of the other big conferences. The early games are designed to be tune ups. There are a few big games this weekend that will go a long way toward establishing the reputation of the league.

The season opened with an ACC team in the spotlight. North Carolina State kicked off the season by hosting South Carolina on ESPN Thursday night. Not surprisingly, they laid an egg and lost a game they should have won by three scores. The story line coming out of the game was about the the ACC not being ready to play with e SEC.

The rest of the conference slate is not so important. Two games will have significance in terms of conference bragging rights. Other wise, it is host of tune ups for the kids to get used to live action. The lone exception is the Labor Day tilt between FSU and Miami. That's a game with league-wide significance.

Jacksonville St. @ Georgia Tech: The only reason to watch this one is to see if the Tech offense is ready to make a title run. Despite their success last season, many still think they will have trouble winning with option football. With everyone back from last season, the opener is about setting the tone for the rest of the season.

TV: ESPN360

Pick: Georgia Tech by four scores

Northeastern @ Boston College: Normally this game would have no interest, even to most BC fans. Northeastern is a bad FCS team and has no chance to keep the game close. This year, however, there is a great deal of interest in a number of young players for BC. This will be the first time we see the QB's in live action and the new, young linebacking corp will get their first playing time. As entertainment, it will not be much of a game. For scouting purposes, it will set the tone for the season.

TV: ESPN360

Pick: BC big

Baylor @ Wake Forest: This is one of those games that will have implications as far as bragging rights. Baylor is not a great Big 12 team, but they are getting better. They could be a bowl team this year. Wake wants to be a contender. Beating a mid-level Big 12 team is what contenders o if they are in an elite conference. A loss and expect to hear the critics once again knocking the ACC.

TV: ESPN360

Pick: Wake in a squeaker

William & Mary @ Virginia: For Virginia fans this is the first look at the new offense and the return of Jameel Sewell. Last year, Virginia came close to losing to Richmond. William & Mary is one of the better FCS teams and Virginia could be a mess early in the season. The only reason to watch is to see if it can be one of those freaky upsets we see once in a while.

TV: ESPN360

Pick: Virginia in a dangerously close game

Citadel @ N. Carolina: Another tuneup game where the outcome is not in question. The only reason to watch is to see if Yates is ready to be a complete passer. It is his team this year and this is a game where he needs to show he can handle the duty. Citadel is not a good team and the Tar Heels should roll over them. Anything other than a laugher will raise some questions about the offense.

TV: ESPN360

Pick: UNC big

MTSU @ Clemson: Last year MTSU beat Maryland in the second game of the season. Most fans have probably never heard of these guys, but they are better than most Sun Belt teams. It is doubtful they have the talent to knock off Clemson on the road, but this could be a more interesting than expected. This will also be the debut of the new Clemson offense. For scouting purposes, it may be worth a look.

TV: ESPN360

Pick: Clemson in a game closer than many expect.

Richmond @ Duke: The Spiders are the defending FCS national champion. No one expect them to be anywhere near as good this year, but no one expected them to win the title last year. Duke is maybe better or maybe not. No one knows if they are ready to become respectable or if they are the same old Duke, a team capable of losing to a FCS team. The only reason to watch this one is for the possibility of a stunning upset.

TV: ESPN360

Pick: Duke big as Richmond is too young

Alabama versus Virginia Tech: This is the bragging rights game of the weekend. Last year Clemson soiled themselves at the sight of Saban and the Crimson Tide. The result was a blowout and a year of cracks about the weak ACC. If the league is to escape that this year, the Hokies will have to show they can hang with one of the better SEC teams.

TV: ABC

Pick: The Hokies are for real and beat Bama in a close one

Maryland @ Cal: Considerably less important than the Tech-Bama game, as far as bragging rights, this game will count for conference ratings. Cal is not a great team, but neither is Maryland. Basically this is a clash of two mediocre BCS teams. A win for the ACC will help set the league apart from the traditionally weak PAC-10.

TV: ESPN2

Pick: Slow start for Maryland leads to bad loss on the road.

Miami @ Florida State: The league finally figured out it is good TV to have this game on Labor Day. FSU is aiming to win the conference this year and Miami is aiming to become respectable again. The rivalry will make this one of the better games of the weekend. The consequence is it is a great showcase for the ACC and a great way to cap off the opening week of football.

TV: ABC

Pick: Miami finds a way to win another one.