(Black) Friday Fiesta Linkfest

Posted by Brandon Rink on November 27, 2009 under ACC Basketball, ACC Football | 2 Comments to Read

What’s up and welcome to the linkfest on a day that you really need such things to get you through it…hope you are getting to watch a ton of hoops and football today and not putting up Christmas decorations or shopping.

From the Rumble Seat says Georgia Tech wins…and big over “georgie”

In case you have not been watching ESPN in the last month, UConn and Duke meet up at 5 today.

FSU and BAMA tip-off at 5 today on one of 4LN empire channels and here’s a preview.

Clemson plays in the losers bracket of the 76 Classic vs. the 49ers of Long Beach State at 5 also.

In a game not at 5, Virginia Tech travels to Philly to take on Temple at 8 tonight.

Nothing better than coming out to Ric Flair’s music and running through fire extinguishers in South Carolina according to Clemson Raycom blog.

Here’s a prediction article for Clemson/SC that surprisingly polls alumni of the respective teams and they all pick their own team.

FSU’s Greg Reid says he will take a kick back on Florida if they kick it to him enough.

Gobbler Country is not overly confident against the rival ‘Hoos this weekend.

UNC Raycom blog picks a close game with rival NC State, but the alumni of NC State caught my eye, no bueno when John Edwards is one of your proud alumni.

Here’s a Daily Progress report on Boise State’s Peterson possibly coming to Boise State…and then the official UVA site pwning it(third article down and H/T TheUVAFool).

To wrap up the day in ACC basketball, Georgia Tech plays Mercer at 4 o’ clock.

Thanks for reading and enjoy your holiday weekend!

OTB's Thursday/Thanksgiving ACC Pick'Em Post

Posted by Brandon Rink on November 26, 2009 under ACC Football | Comments are off for this article

Welcome to OTB’s Thursday/Thanksgiving ACC Pick’Em Post!

Here’s how we’ve done so far…

Team                                          Record Picking Them

Orange

Georgia Tech                           10-1

Clemson                                   9-2

NC State                                    9-2

Boston College                        8-3

Virginia Tech                            8-3

Duke                                           8-3

Nutty Car Care Music

North Carolina                           7-4

Wake Forest                               7-4

Miami                                           7-4

Florida State                               7-4

Maryland                                      7-4

Virginia                                        7-4

And on to the picks…

• 11/28/09  Wake Forest Demon Deacons @ Duke Blue Devils / Raycom / 12:00 p.m. ET

The Lead: The Deacs and Devils meet in a duel of senior QBs with lots of school records in their names.

Watch 4: Skinner to Go Out on Top…Sorta

Wake Forest is still more talented than Duke and did have the extra week–I think the Deacs have the senior leadership to make this game their bowl and take it.

Pick: Deacs 30 Devils 24

• North Carolina Tar Heels @ NC State Wolfpack / 4LN2 / 12:00 p.m. ET

The Lead: The hot Heels ride into the Raleigh to face the team that has owned them recently with the Pack–can Russell Wilson do something of significance to salvage this season?

Watch 4: Heels’ D to Lockdown Again

North Carolina’s defense is on fire with the best and most talented defense in the league and high up there in the nation too(if they only had an offense or something close earlier this season–they could have won the ACC). NC State has put up points on bad defenses, but most games when tested–they failed.

Pick: Heels 30 Pack 17

• Clemson Tigers @ South Carolina Gameocks / 4LN2 / 12:00 p.m. ET

The Lead: Sure, you want to win every rivalry game, but this game is absolutely must-win for both teams. Clemson cannot afford a hit to the momentum going into the ACC Championship Game while South Carolina could very realistically go 6-7 this season after a loss here.

Watch 4: Clemson’s Offensive Line to Dictate Game

Clemson’s o-line has flat-out dominated down the stretch and this Saturday will be no different–South Carolina will probably get some points on the board as they will throw the entire playbook at Clemson, but overall, the Tigers have no business losing this one with their advantages all over the field.

Pick: Tigers 40 ‘Cocks 27

• Florida State Seminoles @ Florida Gators / CBS / 3:30 p.m. ET

The Lead: FSU is an over 3 TD underdog going into Swamp…gotta think they cover, am I right?

Watch 4: FSU to Get Drilled Because Bad Matchups Abound

So yeah, Florida good defense vs. FSU with a solid offense without Ponder…Florida good offense vs. FSU awful defense–sure it’s a rivalry game, but it’s also Tebow’s senior day and Meyer will be looking to crush them into the ground.

Pick: Gators 48 Noles 24

• Miami Hurricanes @ South Florida Bulls / ABC-4LN2-Gameplan / 3:30 ET
  

The Lead: Miami makes a second trip to the central Florida region(seriously, how is South Florida parallel to Central Florida?) to face the Bulls for a shot at a 9 win season.

Watch 4: Miami Offense to Show Out in Springboard Victory

Shannon has the team buying into a game like this being a means of getting to an elite level in the next few years–not totally flawed logic s it will get them 9 wins and possibly a trip to Orlando if they can out-shine the Heels.

Pick: Canes 45 Bulls 27

• Virginia Tech Hokies @ Virginia Cavaliers / ABC-4LN2-Gameplan / 3:30 ET
  

The Lead: The Commonwealth Cup has not resided in Charlottesville in a while, but Groh is looking for one last hurrah in his last game at Virginia.

Watch 4: Virginia to Fight Hard Again–But Lose Out in End…Again

Virginia has the capability of being a good team, but there is a disconnect somewhere–Simpson will have to be healthy for the ‘Hoos to keep up, but Virginia Tech should be able to move the ball like Clemson(sorta atleast) and that will be the difference.

Pick: Hokies 27 ‘Hoos 16

• Boston College Eagles @ Maryland Terrapins/ 4LNU / 3:30 ET
  

The Lead: The Terps have not won since beating Clemson–due? BC is going to be in a lower tier bowl no matter what–motivation?

Watch 4: BC to Run to Victory

I want to pull the trigger on the upset, but Maryland is bad–and BC is just bad on the road. Ten losses will happen in College Park.

Pick: Eagles 31 Terps 20

• Georgia Bulldogs @ Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets / ABC-4LN2-Gameplan / 8:00 ET
  

The Lead: The Ramblin’ Reck looks for back-to-back victories in their rivalry with the Dawgs which hasn’t happened in a while.

Watch 4: Georgia Tech to Be On/Off and Still Win Comfortably

I think the bye week is going to be good for rejuvenating players, but in an offense that is predicated on execution, the Jackets will make a few mistakes along the way.

Pick: Jackets 38 Dawgs 24

ATS Section(We’re due for a good week–last two have been bad)

• Virginia and under 15 vs. VT

Take to Bank %: 55%

Rivalry game, in Virginia, with the ‘Hoos not playing awful–should be able to keep it within in 2  TDs.

• Wake and over 4 vs. Duke

Take to Bank %: 50%

This is a really hard game to figure, but my mythical OTB money is on Skinner and the Deacs.

• Clemson and way over 3 vs. South Carolina

Take to Bank %: 80%

History tells you that Clemson wins and big. Since 1980, South Carolina has beaten Clemson twice at their home stadium.

• UNC and over 5.5 vs. NC State

Take to Bank %: 70%

North Carolina is playing well and they have vengeance on the brain in this one.

• Florida and over 23.5 vs. Florida State

Take to Bank %: 65%

That point might be the difference as I think Florida will score and often, but FSU could get a score to get within 23.5 late in the game.

• Georgia Tech and over 8 vs. Georgia

Take to Bank %: 85%

I do not see how this is not a double digit game in GT’s favor unless they make too many mistakes.

• BC and over 6.5 vs. Maryland

Take to Bank %: 55%

I do not like this game at all with teams that are not consistent at all and it being the last game of the season–flip a coin here.

• Miami and over 6 vs. South Florida

Take to Bank %: 78%

I really like Miami in this game–South Florida has struggled down the stretch and I think the Canes really put it all together.

Thanks for reading and have a great Thanksgiving with food, family, and football!

ACC FB Mid-Week Hype Machine

Posted by Brandon Rink on November 25, 2009 under ACC Football | Comments are off for this article

Welcome to the ACC Football Mid-Week Hype Machine, check out the game info, matchups, news and other greatness about the week in ACC football below…

• 11/28/09  Wake Forest Demon Deacons @ Duke Blue Devils / Raycom / 12:00 p.m. ET

Must-See Matchup: Wake Forest vs. Motivation

They had two weeks to prepare, but you are not going to bowl for the first time in the Skinner era–Duke is playing for a .500  season–will be interesting to see if they show up.

Bringing The Noise: As these two schools are the media black holes for coverage in the ACC, check Raycom Sports for everything you need.

Watch This Over…: Power Rangers: R.P.M., first of all, Power Rangers is still on? Hey, it’s the last game for two great ACC QBs with Lewis and Skinner.

• North Carolina Tar Heels @ NC State Wolfpack / 4LN2 / 12:00 p.m. ET

Must-See Matchup: NC State QB Russell Wilson vs. UNC D

It all rests on the arm of one Russell Wilson as to NC State continuing their recent dominance in the rivalry because UNC’s defense is playing a whole different level at this point.

Bringing The Noise: UNC DL Marvin Austin and LB Bruce Carter debating on the NFL with Austin questionable next season and Carter staying, UNC motivated and NC State confident coming off from last season’s result.

Watch This Over…: Clemson vs. South Carolina, because Clemson-South Carolina is pretty predictable–UNC is going for 9 wins here for a second straight season.

• Clemson Tigers @ South Carolina Gameocks / 4LN2 / 12:00 p.m. ET

Must-See Matchup: Clemson CB Crezdon Butler vs. South Carolina WR Alshon Jeffrey

It’s size vs. really big size. Clemson puts its lockdown DB on SC’s talented, big freshman WR who could open up the game for the ‘Cocks.

Bringing The Noise: Tricks are expected by Clemson, Ron Morris of the State says sit Spiller for the game, Clemson is not overlooking South Carolina according to Dabo, Clemson’s Maye has some extra motivation going into the game, SC still feeling pain of last year’s loss,

Watch This Over…: Dirty Jobs, this rivalry is always an interesting one, but not usually for the actual game.

• Florida State Seminoles @ Florida Gators / CBS / 3:30 p.m. ET

Must-See Matchup: FSU QB Manuel vs. a much tougher second road start

The Gators are feeling another BCS Title run, but the ‘Noles come in with loads of talent and nothing to lose with Manuel at the helm.

Bringing The Noise: Miami Herald on Bobby Bowden’s legacy being tarnished, FSU is looking for a little noise in the Swamp, HD on Manuel @ Florida,

Watch This Over…: Boston College vs. Maryland, because wow, that’s an ugly game.

• Miami Hurricanes @ South Florida Bulls / ABC-4LN2-Gameplan / 3:30 ET
  

Must-See Matchup: USF QB Daniels vs. Miami D

Daniels can be a game-changer at times, but he still has a lot to learn. Miami’s defense has been on and off down the stretch so they need to step up or this could be a bad end to what could have been a promising season.

Bringing the Noise: More USF-Miami games are coming in the future, Miami Herald feature on Miami’s Trump, Miami is nursing some injuries but they should be ready to go, Shannon says USF game is a springboard for the future of UM football,

Watch This Over…: Keeping up the with Kardashians, this is sort of a good matchup–Miami should blow them away, but I like that Miami is going on the road to UCF and USF this season(a lot better than playing freaking FIU at home in November).

• Virginia Tech Hokies @ Virginia Cavaliers / ABC-4LN2-Gameplan / 3:30 ET
  

Must-See Matchup: Hokies RB Ryan Williams vs. ‘Hoos D

The ‘Hoos did a solid job at containing the Clemson running game last week on the road–senior day and rivalry game ups the ante here.

Bringing the Noise: UVA’s unheralded hero, VT is all business going into this week, Gobbler Country and From Old Virginia with a Q & A, Daily Progress on Groh and football this week, Beamer taking the ‘Hoos seriously, Gobbler Country with the game guide for this week.

Watch This Over…: Louisville vs. UNLV(CBB), the battle for the Commonwealth is usually lopsided, but watching Groh’s last game is worth the price of admission.

• Boston College Eagles @ Maryland Terrapins/ 4LNU / 3:30 ET
  

Must-See Matchup: New Terps Offense with whoever is at QB vs. BC Defense

Sure, they were playing FSU last week, but they were playing on the road and about notched the win.

Bringing the Noise: BC Interruption is wondering who they will face as a QB, Maryland Raycom Blog explains how big this game is for them,

Watch This Over…: My Super Psycho Sweet 16, man, this game sucks, but BC is playing to get out of the nutty bowl.

• Georgia Bulldogs @ Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets / ABC-4LN2-Gameplan / 8:00 ET
  

Must-See Matchup: GT Flexbone vs. Georgia D

Georgia could not stop it last year–and boy, I cannot see them doing anything with it this season.

Bringing the Noise: AJC’s guide to the UGA-GT game, GT is not fazed by A.J. Green, From The Rumble Seat with how 3 points were the difference in a shift in GA.

Watch This Over…: Notre Dame vs. Stanford, because Georgia Tech will be emphatically steamrolling on their way to Tampa while watching the end of the Weis era is just sadly amusing.

Come on back Thursday for the all the ACC picks!