It's a heck of a week for college football in the nation. Separation Saturday (thanks ESPN) has seven top 25 teams battling each other.
However, has separation Saturday has forced me to separate my opinion from my heart and pick Clemson?
First for the undercard.
Maryland at West Virginia: Call it a hunch. West Virginia, 45-24
Duke at Virginia Tech:My prediction...pain. Virginia Tech, 42-7
Furman at North Carolina: Everyone needs a week a feel good en route to a 1-4 start, this is the Tar Heels' week to shine. UNC, 31-13
N.C. State at Southern Miss: Unfortunately the Wolfpack missed out on their chance to shine last week. Southern Miss, 17-13
Wake Forest at Connecticut: Although it hasn't received the attention, this is a battle of unbeatens. Wake Forest, 24-23.
BYU at Boston College: Last year the Eagles dominated the Cougars in Provo, this year it'll be a little closer. Boston College, 27-17
Western Michigan at Virginia: This is as good a week as any for the Cavaliers to get off the schnide. Virginia, 24-14
Troy at Georgia Tech: My guess is that the Trojans of Troy will be on a downswing this week. Georgia Tech, 28-10
NOW THE MAIN EVENTS
Miami at Louisville: Lee Corso just went on College Gameday and said Louisville's 22 players from Florida are "Miami rejects". Oddly enough it appears that most of the 70 or some Florida players from Miami are rejects as well. But that's B.S. Miami is still Miami and ask anyone if players like Brian Brohm are rejects.
Bottom line is coaching. I believe Louisville has the better, more creative staff. Offensively they have the trick to neutralize Miami's team speed. My friend, who is based in Broward county, thinks Louisville will rip the Hurricanes. I think it'll be closer, but the point remains. Louisville, 28-21.
Clemson at Florida State: Or Bowden Bowl VIII. It isn't a fun, friendly battle between father and son anymore. Clemson is facing a must win after last week's loss at Boston College while FSU didn't lose last week at Troy, but it's hard to say if the team felt like winners.
FSU's defensive line is banged up and Clemson's offensive line is as good as there is in the conference. Drew Weatherford has been up and down without the help of a running game. Clemson probably has the best three running backs in the conference.
The good news is FSU could win this game passing because Clemson's secondary is banged up. But they might have to throw deep and you know what I think of Weatherford's deep passing ability. Still I think the nighttime is a the right time at Doak and the Seminoles will rise to the challenge.
FSU, 20-14