Mid-October (halfway through moving month) is usually a time of early conference matchups that might not be steeped in the tradition of Ohio State-Michigan or Alabama-Auburn, but still pit ranked opponents against one another. Believe it or not though- the only matchup of top twenty teams is #10 TCU against 16th rated BYU. Meanwhile, there are a few intriguing games involving ranked schools against opponents "on the cusp" of the national polls... from top ranked Alabama taking on a Tennessee (3-3) in transition to third rated Texas meeting a Missouri that's dropped two straight after a 4-0 start. My sleeper game of the week? Thirteenth ranked Penn State at 5-2 Michigan (Nittany Lions notoriously play poorly in Ann Arbor).
Alma Mater Update-- Syracuse's road to redemption continues with a clash against Akron... nicknamed the Zips--I can only imagine from Stride-Rite's brand of sneaker in the late 70's and early 80's... a pre-Nike dark ages that was also populated by the likes of Etonic and Jox. After beating Orange last year there's no chance of these Zips sneaking up on SU this fall--besides, a loss means basketball season officially begins.
MARYLAND at Duke-- with coach Ralph Friedgen's crew 2-5 this game in Durham represents a must-win; especially with Virginia Tech, Florida State and Boston College on the Terps' November slate. They've been waiting to play the Blue Devils since the ACC went to divisional play in 2005... unfortunately this is not the Duke opponents have grown to know, love and rout. Thaddeus Lewis (an enviable 12-2 TD-INT ratio) can air it out like many of the quarterbacks who have hurt the Terps this fall...and one wonders when the turnovers (a league high 20 through 7 games) will subside. Terrapins tumble, 29-28.
VIRGINIA vs #11 Georgia Tech-- a fight for first in the ACC Coastal? Take that, Hokies and Hurricanes! The Yellowjackets ran for over 300 yards in last week's win over Virginia Tech... but UVa's three-man front is better suited to defend Josh Nesbitt and the triple option. Add into the equation that Georgia Tech isn't exactly stopping people this fall...and "October Surprise II--this time it's Personal!" plays for another weekend. Cavaliers come through 27-20...and propose to have all of their 2010 games moved to October.
VIRGINIA TECH takes the week off...NAVY tops Wake Forest...HOWARD slips to North Carolina A&T... William & Mary tops James Madison.
Last Week: 5-1. Overall Season: 33-14.
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