Preston's Perspective

As Dane Cook, TBS and FOX tell us "There's only One October!" (mister Cook is quickly becoming the Skip Stevenson of his generation- all he needs is a Real People revival and a Love Boat appearance)...October is Moving Month, the part of the season where pretenders (South Florida) are exposed, dream seasons catch fire (Virginia last year, Maryland in 2006) and the wheat is seperated from the chaff as conference play nears the midway point. Duke has shown us they're not a doormat--how will that hold? Clemson's proven they're not heads and shoulders above the ACC--can they recover? And will Miami and Florida State be relevent this fall? Strap yourselves in my friends...October will have plenty of thrills, chills and spills...

Alma Mater Update-- Syracuse is 1-4 after a come-from-ahead loss to Pitt; all eyes are focused on the Ernie Davis-biopic The Express which opens in theaters Friday October 10th...having sat through such football films as "Little Giants" and "Wildcats"...I'm hoping this movie doesn't suck--so far there's promise...although Dennis Quaid looks about 10-15 years younger than Ben Schwartzwalder did when the movie was set--but hey, as long as there isn't a talking mule, I feel good.

MARYLAND at VIRGINIA--what promised to be a rough rebuilding season has turned into a nightmare for Al Groh's bunch...the running game was supposed to be a beacon but Mikkell Simpson has been ineffective while Cedric Peerman's been injured. Maryland appears to be gathering steam after its traditional September hiccup--reasons for the recent success have been a healthy offensive line and an aggressive defense (back to back weeks with three takeaways)...the Terps 2006 win in Charlottesville was their first since 1990--the year UVa went to the Sugar Bowl...a much more sour season continue for the Cavs; Terrapins triumph 30-13.

VIRGINIA TECH vs Western Kentucky--the Hilltoppers are one of the few remaining I-A independent teams; there was once an era when the nations best didn't play in conferences--Penn St, Miami and Florida St. plus Notre Dame to name a few...will this be the week Darren Evans or Kenny Lewis steps forward to become the primary back--and will we see a wide receiver emerge from the pack? Also, will VT finally put away an opponent in the first half? Hokies surprise everyone with a rout 37-14.

Navy gets by Air Force, Howard slips to Winston-Salem, James Madison handles Hofstra, Richmond routs VMI, William & Mary over Villanova.

LAST WEEK: 5-3
OVERALL: 25-11