FBS Preview: College Football Week 7
After the craziness of Week 6 largely bypassed the North Carolina schools, it is on our FBS Preview for week 7. One school takes on a top 5 team in the rankings. Another school takes on a surprise contender in the Coastal division. Then there is other conference action going on. Looks like Wake Forest is sitting this one out after two hellacious matchups in two weeks.
Saturday- 10/11
Duke Blue Devils (4-1) vs Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (5-0)
Time: 12:30 PM
TV: ACC Network
Showdown in the Coastal Division as Georgia Tech looks to make a clear step above its challengers by beating Duke. The option game did give Duke trouble last year, so they must show some defensive backbone early. Bend-don’t-break is not going to work on an option team and Duke’s 4-2-5 scheme is already prone to power running games.
North Carolina Tar Heels (2-3) at Notre Dame Fighting Irish (5-0)
Time: 3:30 PM
TV: NBC
Before the season this looked like a real match, but now it seems like another potential embarrassment. The Heels’ defensive line started coming along against Virginia Tech, but Notre Dame has a scrambling quarterback in Everett Golson if there was pressure. A quick start, not a staple of this Tar Heel team, will be vitally important to hang with the Irish.
Nov 16, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack wide receiver Quintin Payton (88) scores a touchdown against the Boston College Eagles defends during the fourth quarter at Alumni Stadium. The Eagles won 38-21. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
NC State Wolfpack (4-2) vs Boston College Eagles (3-2)
Time: 3:30 PM
TV: RSN
The Wolfpack have flown high when not facing elite defensive units. Boston College is team bipolar, beating USC and losing to Colorado State. This will be an interesting matchup. Coach Addazio of the Eagles likes a spread option run game, which should control clock. Coach Doeren wants to move the ball as fast as possible.
Appalachian State Mountaineers (1-4) vs Liberty Flames (3-3)
Time: 3:30 PM
TV: ESPN3
The Mountaineers get to regroup after a couple of hard conference losses. They cannot get too comfortable facing Liberty, though. The Flames pushed the Tar Heels in week 1 for a half and they welcome another attempt to knock off a FBS school.
East Carolina Pirates (4-1) at South Florida Bulls (2-3)
Time: 7:00 PM
TV: ESPNU
By the transitive rule of football, South Florida lost to State by 32. State lost to Clemson by 41. Clemson should beat the Bulls by 73, and beat UNC by 15. So UNC would beat the Bulls by 58, and ECU beat UNC by 29. So the Pirates should win by 87. That won’t happen in this 1st annual Skip Holtz Bowl, but it is fun to think about.