Weekend Viewing Guide

The ACC is dipping further into league play this week, as six teams square off for important conference games. Virginia Tech – Miami highlights the conference schedule. There are also several important out of conference games that will go a long way toward establishing the league's credibility amongst pundits. The TCU – Clemson game is the biggest one of this group.

Week four has a nice mix of key conference games as well as some interesting out of conference games. Two league games that will have everyone's attention is UNC at Georgia Tech and Miami at Virginia Tech. Both games are critical in deciding the coastal division.

The out of conference slate is highlighted by Clemson – TCU. The league has a chance to knock off another nationally ranked team and boost the league's rating. Clemson is coming off a huge win and will be tested by one of the most disciplined teams in football.

UNC @ GT: This is one of the biggest games in the league this week. UNC finally gets a test against a team that has the athletes to match up with them. Georgia Tech needs a big game to revive their season. If they want to play for the league title, they have to win this one. For the general fan, this one promises to be a fun one. Both teams have problems on defense and that means lots of scoring in this one.

TV:Game Plan and Regional Coverage

Pick: In the battle of bad defenses, go with the team running the option. Georgia Tech wins by 10 at home. USF @ FSU: Ordinarily, this would not look like much of a game. USF has played no one and they have no idea how to handle the speed of FSU. On the other hand, the 'Noles have shown they can overlook teams and play terrible at times. USF will be sky high for this one, given it is their shot to play one of the big boys in the state. This one feels like a trap game and could turn out to be very entertaining.

TV:ESPNU

Pick: This one will be close, but maybe not very entertaining. The 'Noles probably pull it out, but it will be close.

Wake Forest @ Boston College: Wake is playing well and always gives BC fits. The Eagles are coming off an embarrassing loss and will not be taking anything for granted. On paper this one should be an easy win for Wake, but these games are never easy. BC has too much pride to take another beating, particularly at home. This one could be a real nasty one, decided by the defenses.

TV: Some Crappy Internet Scam

Pick: Everyone assumes BC is dead in the water, but they bounce back and win this one.

TCU @ Clemson: TCU is a pretty good team, but they have yet to face a real good team this year. Clemson is probably convinced that they are Florida by now, which means they will play sloppy this week. That makes for a really good game that may not feature much scoring. For ACC fans, this is one that will say a lot about the overall strength of the league.

TV: Some Crappy Internet Scam

Pick: Clemson has the better talent, but TCU has the better team. TCU wins a close one.

Pittsburgh @ NC State: Someone better remember to have a guy on the sidelines keeping O'Brien's balls dry. Otherwise, they could lose to a Pittsburgh team that has not shown a whole lot so far. This is one that will feature the two most boring offensive coordinators in the country. Unless you have nothing better to do, you may want to skip this one

TV: ESPNU

Pick: O'Brien needs a good win and Pittsburgh is tailor made for him. NC State wins by two scores.

Miami @ Virginia Tech: This is the game of the weekend. Two top-15 teams playing in a must win game. It does not get any better. The compelling element here is whether the Hokie defense can stop the young and impressive Miami offense. On the other side, can Miami avoid falling into the same hole they have in the past when they had some success. On the road at Blacksburg means they have to keep their composure.

TV: ABC

Pick: Miami is for real and the Hokies have big problems on defense. Miami wins big.

Rutgers @ Maryland: This one is for bragging rights along the I-95 corridor between Washington and Piscataway. Otherwise, it is not terribly important. This is a character game for the Terps. They need a win and they have the talent to beat Rutgers. It all comes down to whether they want to do it. If not, this is just another loss on the way to a very bad season. TV: None

Pick: Ralph Friedgen is a good coach and he does not want to go out as a loser. He'll get his kids ready to win this one in a shootout.

NC Central @ Duke: Duke needs all the breaks they can get. Year two of the rebuilding process will not look much different than year one, but they have a chance to get better. That means winning a gimme home game in September. There really is no reason to care about this one, unless the impossible happens and Duke losses to these guys. TV: None

Pick: Duke big.