It’s Conference time and that means my win/loss prediction record is about to take a nose dive as teams that see each other every year play each other. This will be Duke and East Carolina’s first week as ranked schools. NC State and Wake Forest face formidable challenges in their first conference contests. North Carolina will be looking for redemption in difficult territory, Death Valley in Clemson, SC. This is the week 5 FBS Preview.
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Thursday- 9/25
Appalachian State Mountaineers (1-3) at Georgia Southern Eagles (2-2)
Time: 7:30 PM
TV: ESPNU
App State may have had some difficulty in its non-FCS games, but Georgia Southern has been on fire. They only have two wins to show for it, but they took Georgia Tech and NC State to the very limit with their smash mouth option based attack. App State’s defense will have to deliver stops in this first meeting between the teams as non-Southern Conference members.
Saturday- 9/27
North Carolina State Wolfpack (4-0) vs Florida State Seminoles (3-0)
Time: 3:30 PM
TV: ABC (or ESPN2 if not in region)
A battle of undefeated teams takes place in Carter-Finley. Clemson put a scare into the Seminoles last week, but will Florida State take the Wolfpack seriously? Will NC State find another way to put up 40 points again this week? Will Jameis Winston return to form after a week off?
Wake Forest Demon Deacons (2-2) at Louisville Cardinals (3-1)
Time: 3:30 PM
TV: ESPNU
Louisville has been an enigma so far, easily handling Miami while losing to Virginia on the road. The Bobby Petrino effect in still in play, so Wake Forest will be facing the most explosive offense it has seen this season. Since Wake beat Army close, its chance in this game would be to hold down the Cardinals with tough defense and getting turnovers.
North Carolina Tar Heels (3-1) at Clemson Tigers (2-2)
Time: 7:00
TV: ESPNU
The Tar Heels will have to deal with the loss last week. They will either have to call it an aberration and move on, or take serious stock of everything that they are doing. Going down to Clemson is not the easiest way to come back. Clemson has played FSU close last weekend and they will be loathe to accept a third loss this early in the season.
Busting Brackets
Duke Blue Devils (4-0) at Miami Hurricanes (2-2)
Time: 7:30 PM
TV: ESPN2
This is a key Coastal Division battle, but no one really knows enough about either team. Duke hasn’t really played anyone of significance, while Miami has failed to take out Louisville and Nebraska. This game should teach a whole lot about both squads. Have to favor the Blue Devils right now with their senior leadership over Miami and its inexperienced quarterback.