Posted by Brandon Rink on December 29, 2011 under ACC Football | Comments are off for this article
Jimbo Fisher's 2011-12 FSU team saw its ups-and-downs, but with a slew of freshmen in the lineup today, will they end on a high note? (Pic per OrangeandWhite.com)
FSU has a chance to keep the ACC momentum rolling in the bowl season…
12/29/11 – Florida State (8-4) vs. Notre Dame (8-4) / ESPN / 5:30 ET
Must-See Matchup, FSU offense vs. Notre Dame Defense: Seminoles offense vs. itself
Offense? FSU fans would be in favor of it, after averaging 269.5 yards and 17 points per game going 1-1 down the stretch. The team has gone up-and-down with E.J. Manuel, who had one passing touchdown and 265 yards passing in those two games.
Must-See Matchup, Notre Dame offense vs. FSU Defense: Seminoles d-line vs. Irish o-line
The Seminoles rank 9th in sacks per game (3), while the Irish are 18th nationally in sacks allowed (1.08). Notre Dame has to keep its QB upright if they’re going to score on FSU.
Watch 4: Jimbo Fisher to have FSU ready
I doubted the Seminoles last year against South Carolina in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl, and they impressed me. Overall, neither team has played great against good competition, but FSU will be able to move the ball a little bit more than Notre Dame will.
The Pick: Brandon Rink – FSU 24-17; Griffin Wong – FSU 24-20; J.J. Greenstein – FSU 28-24
(ACC Pick’em on the season: Brandon Rink – 70-29, J.J. Greenstein – 70-29, Griffin Wong – 73-26)
ATS Section (40-41-2 to date)
Was on the wrong side of the crazy Belk Bowl Tuesday to fall back under .500…
Posted by Brandon Rink on December 26, 2011 under ACC Football | Comments are off for this article
NC State quarterback Mike Glennon faces a challenge in Louisville's top-flight total defense. (Pic per OrangeandWhite.com)
Day two of the ACC bowl season is under the lights in Charlotte…
12/27/11 – Louisville (7-5) vs. NC State (7-5) / ESPN / 8:00 ET
Must-See Matchup, NC State offense vs. Louisville Defense: QB Mike Glennon’s arm vs. Cardinals’ D
NC State’s minor strength (52nd nationally) matches up with Louisville’s minor weakness, pass defense (61st nationally).
Must-See Matchup, Louisville offense vs. NC State Defense: QB Teddy Bridgewater’s dual-threatness vs. Wolfpack D
The highly-regarded freshman quarterback Bridgewater came on down the stretch with five touchdowns (three rushing, two passing) and one pick in his last two games, both Louisville wins to capture a share of the Big East title.
Watch 4: Louisville to lock down defensively, eke out win
This is a game where I feel like NC State should win, but probably won’t. Louisville should give the NC State offense fits, and down the stretch, the Cardinals’ offense started to get its act together and can move the ball against the Wolfpack defense. The pro-NC State crowd could give the Wolfpack an extra boost though – not particularly confident in a pick either way here.
The Pick: Brandon Rink – Louisville 24-21; J.J. Greenstein – NC State 28-21; Griffin Wong – NC State 24-14
(ACC Pick’em on the season: Brandon Rink – 70-28, J.J. Greenstein – 69-29, Griffin Wong – 72-26)
ATS Section (40-40-2 to date)
We’re 1-0 on the bowl season and even .500 on the season…
Posted by Brandon Rink on under ACC Football | Comments are off for this article
UNC's top freshman running back Gio Bernard could have some trouble against Missouri's run defense. (Pic per OrangeandWhite.com)
The Independence Bowl kicks off the ACC bowl season…
12/26/11 – UNC (7-5) vs. Missouri (7-5) / ESPN2/ 5:00 ET
Must-See Matchup, UNC offense vs. Mizzou Defense: UNC RB Gio Bernard vs. Tigers’ run D
Bernard rushed for 1,222 yards and 13 touchdowns in a huge redshirt freshman season, but faces the Big XII’s top rush defense (11th nationally) today.
Must-See Matchup, Mizzou offense vs. UNC Defense: Dual-threat QB Franklin vs. UNC defense
Franklin had a respectable passing season (2,733 yards, 20 TDs to 10 INTs), but excelled in the running game – 839 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns.
Watch 4: Multi-dimensional Mizzou offense to just outscore Heels
This is a motivation game – the Tigers finished strong and have something to build on for next season, while UNC stumbled to the finish, and get a new start with Larry Fedora coming in. The Heels may surprise me, but Missouri has a pretty balanced team and should edge out UNC.
The Pick: Brandon Rink – Mizzou 28-19; J.J. Greenstein – Mizzou 31-24; Griffin Wong – Mizzou 27-20
(ACC Pick’em on the season: Brandon Rink – 69-28, J.J. Greenstein – 68-29, Griffin Wong – 71-26)
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