Around the Southeast

Here is a look at games going on in the ACC today:

Wake Forest at Clemson (Raycom 12:00 PM ET)
Riley Skinner and the Wake Forest offense will come to Memorial Stadium to play the Tigers. Skinner, who it seems has been at Wake for about 10 years, handled Clemson in a sloppy, low scoring affair last season. Skinner is on quite a roll to this point, playing particularly well the past few weeks. Interestingly Jim Grobe has never won at Clemson. How the Tigers offense responds to a week off should give college football fans an idea of what to expect in the race for the Atlantic Division championship this season. Clemson finds a way to score at least two offensive touchdowns and holds off Wake.

FF Prediction: Wake 17 CU 24

North Carolina State at Boston College (ABC 3:30 PM ET)
Both of these teams desperately need a win and some momentum heading into the second half of the season, as Tom O'Brien faces his former team. BC is coming off of a thrashing to Virginia Tech, yet sits second in the ACC Atlantic race. BC has ACC wins over Florida State and Wake. NCST (0-2 in ACC Play) has played particularly poorly all season, emphasized by last week's tank job against Duke. While neither team is dominant, you know you are in trouble when you give up 49 to Duke. I look for BC to win big.

FF Prediction: NCST 17 BC 35

Virginia at Maryland (ESPNU 4:00 PM ET)
In what originally appeared to be the Al Groh farewell tour, Virginia has come to life after a horrid start to this season. Virginia is currently 1-0 in league play, sporting an upset win over UNC a few weeks ago. This team has, however, lost to William and Mary, Southern Miss, and a pretty good TCU team. Maryland is coming off of a loss to Wake and currently sits at 1-1 in the ACC. There is no other way to describe this matchup than two bad teams fighting it out. Maryland out-bads Virginia, and Al Groh lives another day.

FF Prediction: UVa 17 UMd 14

No. 4 Virginia Tech at No. 19 Georgia Tech (ESPN 2 6:00 PM ET)
This is the only ACC top 20 matchup of the week, and is a crucial game for the Yellow Jackets. GT is 3-1 in ACC play and is frantically chasing Miami and VT for a spot in Jacksonville. After getting beaten badly by the U earlier this season, this game is a must win for GT. Virginia Tech (3-0 in the ACC) is in the driver's seat for the conference championship and could back door it's way into the MNC game by running the table and getting some outside help. Needless to say, this is the biggest remaining regular season game for both clubs. Georgia Tech catches a break by having the Hokies travel to Atlanta for this contest. I see a hungry Virginia Tech team that is dynamic in all three phases of the game. While Virginia Tech's defense may not be as revered as in years past, it is fast enough to shut down GT's flex attack. On the flip side, the Yellow Jacket's defense (which has given up a ton of points all year) is no match for Tyrod Taylor and crew.

FF Prediction: VT 28 GT 17

No. 9 Miami (FL) at UCF (7:30 PM ET)
The U travels to Central Florida for a non-conference matchup. Miami (4-1 in conference) appears to be getting close to the championship form we all remember. Jacory Harris is a fantastic player who really has played well all season. UCF (1-2 in Conf. USA play, 3-2 overall) should not be a match for the 'Canes. The U rolls and eagerly watches the outcome in Atlanta.

FF Prediction: U 38 Golden Knights 10