The Crippler's Take on the Atlantic Coast Conference





The Crippler's Weekly Predictions and Previews of
Atlantic Coast Conference Football Games

Once the season starts, this page will have a detailed analysis and prediction for every game involving an ACC team so check back every week.
Predictions will be updated on Thursday afternoons

Crippler's Prediction Results

ACC Straight-Up 22-7
ACC Spread 14-8-1
Overall Straight-Up 58-10
Overall Spread 34-25-1


GAMES FOR THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 13


Maryland at Georgia Tech (-9.5)
The student returns to Atlanta to battle the teacher and Ralph Friedgen's Terps take on George O'Leary's Jackets this weekend. In an ironic twist of fate, however, it is Maryland who comes into this game in sole possession of the ACC lead instead of Georgia Tech, who many thought would win the conference this year. Admittedly, the Terps have not played any of the big hitters on their schedule yet but they have been winning convincingly over the teams they have played and have not lost. Tech lost a heartbreaker to Clemson so this is a must-win game for them and I think they will do it. I just don't think Maryland is ready to win a game like this on the road, especially against a determined Tech team.
The Crippler picks GEORGIA TECH 24, MARYLAND 17

Miami (-7) at Florida State
Well, here is Bobby Bowden's chance to climb back into the national spotlight against the Canes. If FSU is to win this game, they will need a stellar performance from QB Chris Rix. Yikes! Bobby Bowden cannot be sleeping well this week knowing he's got a freshman starting this game against an outstanding Miami defense. The game is in Tallahassee so give a slight edge to the Noles for that but give a much larger edge to Miami in terms of talent. Miami will win this one easily and FSU's forgetful season will continue.
The Crippler picks MIAMI 35, FLORIDA STATE 21

Clemson (3.5) at North Carolina State
Talk about must win games...well, that's exactly what you'll have in Raleigh this weekend. Clemson and NC State will hook up in a game that will go a long way in determining the ACC's bowl set up. Clemson has been up and down all year and the Wolfpack has not shown their true potential yet. Clemson had an off week last week but it was wasted for the most part, considering they came away with more injuries than they had going in and that is bad news for Tommy Bowden considering they were already hit hard with the injury bug. The Pack, on the other hand, just needs more offensive consistency because they defensive has been solid and if there was any team in the ACC that you wanted to play to get the offense on track, it would be the Tigers.
The Crippler picks NC STATE 24, CLEMSON 21

Wake Forest (-8.5) at Duke
Well, the ACC bottom feeders will meet this weekend giving Duke it's best chance to break the losing streak but unfortunately for the Devils, Wake has shown that they are not a bad team this year. Sorry, Duke, not going to happen this week but look on the bright side, basketball practice is about to begin!
The Crippler picks WAKE FOREST 24, DUKE 10

Virginia at North Carolina (-8)
The Cavs and the Heels get together this weekend in another important game for the ACC Standings. The Heels have looked awful in some games this year and great in others. The Cavs have looked awful in some games this year and great in others. Which team will show up on both sides of the field? Well, that question will tell who will win this game. I really can't see Virginia's offensive line keeping Julius Peppers and Ryan Sims off of the QB and that will keep Virginia off the scoreboard enough for UNC's offense to get a couple of scores which will be enough to win.
The Crippler picks NORTH CAROLINA 17, VIRGINIA 10


GAMES FOR THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 6


Virginia at Maryland (-7.5)
Who would have EVER thought at the beginning of the season that the Terps and Cavs would be getting together this weekend battling for FIRST PLACE in the ACC? The Terps have to be one of biggest surprises in the country this year starting the season 4-0 led by the running of Bruce Perry. He has been all world so far this season. Does Ralph Friedgen have a magic touch or what? UVa started this season slowly losing to Wisconsin in a preseason classic but since, has won 3 straight and is in good position in the conference to make a bowl run. The Cavs win ugly but they are winning and thats all that matters, but I don't think they have enough to slow down Perry and the Terps.
The Crippler picks MARYLAND 28, VIRGINIA 17

Georgia Tech (-24.5) at Duke
The Yellowjackets travel to Duke this weekend in what, on paper, looks to be a huge mismatch but GT is still kicking themselves after last week's blown opportunity to take control of the ACC against Clemson. I wonder how many times this week George O'Leary has woke up screaming "SOMEONE STOP WOODY!!!" Either Tech will come out flat with last week still lingering and Duke will hang around for a while or they will come out angry and pound the poor Blue Devils. My guess is the second option. Tech will come out fired up and ready to kill somebody and Duke is the easiest victim in the ACC.
The Crippler picks GEORGIA TECH 42, DUKE 10

East Carolina at North Carolina (-6.5)
The ECU Pirates and UNC Tarheels lock it this weekend in a non-conference, regional game. The Pirates expected big things this season and it just hasn't worked out that way as they are a disappointing 2-2. The Tarheels on the other hand were not expected to do much and many wrote them off before the season started due to their brutal schedule. Well, they are now 2-3, not a great record but very respectable with their early season schedule. The Heels have always played down or up to their competition and I'm not sure which they'd be doing with ECU this week. I really think this one is a toss-up so I go with my hunches and my hunches say UNC is riding a little too high after beating FSU and NC State and they are due for a let down.
The Crippler picks EAST CAROLINA 21, NORTH CAROLINA 17

North Carolina State (-4) at Wake Forest
The Wolfpack takes the short trip up to Winston-Salem to take on the Demon Deacons this weekend. Wake Forest was making a bid for the surprise team of the season after an early upset of East Carolina but they've got some work to do to regain that title. NC State has to be rather upset about losing to UNC last week, a game they had marked as a W before the season began. The Wolfpack, much like the Deacons, have a lot to prove to themselves this week. One team will keep their hopes alive while the other slips back into ACC obscurity. The talent edge definitely falls to State and I can't see them losing this one.
The Crippler picks NORTH CAROLINA STATE 24, WAKE FOREST 17


GAMES FOR THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 22


Florida State (-17) at North Carolina
The Seminoles invade Chapel Hill this week in what looks to be a big mismatch. Sometimes, looks can be deceiving and this game might be interesting. FSU has suffered more injuries than any other team in the nation and with the latest tragedy, the shooting of DE Eric Powell, the Seminoles will have a tough time concentrating. On the other hand, freshman QB Chris Rix has performed very well in his first two starts and UNC has not looked good in either game this year. Who would have thought that UNC would be the team in the middle of a QB controversy when these two met? But, that's just what is happening. UNC can't decide between Ron Curry, who has not looked good at all, and Darian Durant, who has done fairly well but still makes inexperienced mistakes. This indecision will be enough for FSU to win comfortably.
The Crippler picks FLORIDA STATE 31, NORTH CAROLINA 13

Maryland (-7) at Wake Forest
Who would thought that this would actually be a big game? Well, when these two lock up in Winston-Salem, alot will be on the line. Both teams come in 2-0 and are looking to be the Cinderella story of the ACC. Maryland has impressive wins over UNC and Eastern Michigan and Wake has beaten East Carolina and Appalachian State. Okay, so none of those teams are exactly powerhouses but it's still a big story when these two meet and neither has a loss. For either team, a win in this game puts them in good position for a possible bowl bid. I think Maryland's newfound confidence under new Head Coach Ralph Friedgen will be the difference in this game.
The Crippler picks MARYLAND 24, WAKE FOREST 14

North Carolina State (-16) at Southern Methodist
The Wolfpack steps out of conference again this week against the Mustangs of SMU. NC State looked very good against Indiana last week. They were flying to the ball and looked sharp on offense. I expect more of the same this week against an overmatched SMU team. The rest of the ACC might want to take note, the Pack is for real and could really push the top 3 of the ACC this season.
The Crippler picks NORTH CAROLINA STATE 35, SMU 14

Virginia at Clemson (-12)
The Wahoos come calling on the Tigers this week. Virginia has looked downright awful in their first two games this season and the Tigers have not exactly lit up the world. UVa is sorely missing Antwoine Womack and that will be the difference. Clemson's defense is suspect at best but UVa has very little offensive weapons to take advantage. Also, factor in the fact that the Cavs have been off for 3 weeks and this one could get ugly. Clemson will win but they will still have their early season struggles they've had in the first two games.
The Crippler picks CLEMSON 28, VIRGINIA 14

Northwestern (-17) at Duke
Don't expect much defense when the Wildcats and Blue Devils get together this weekend. Both teams will score but Northwestern has much more talent on offense than Duke. Duke has no one to stop Damien Anderson and Zak Kustok and Northwestern doesn't have a defense to stop anybody. This game will get ugly as Northwestern cruises to the out of conference win.
The Crippler picks NORTHWESTERN 42, DUKE 21


GAMES FOR THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 8


Indiana at North Carolina State (-6.5)
Indiana travels to ACC country for the Thursday showdown with NCSU. Last year, the Wolfpack won on a very controversial call and the Hoosiers felt they were cheated. They come to Raleigh seeking revenge. Well, they can get it if they can figure out a way to stop Philip Rivers. No one did that last year and Indiana doesn't exactly have a powerhouse defense so I don't see the Hoosiers slowing him down any. If Rivers can find one WR to step up, this track meet will be very lopsided. In any case, expect a very entertaining high-scoring game as neither team likes to play defense.
The Crippler picks NORTH CAROLINA STATE 31, INDIANA 24

North Carolina at Texas (-22.5)
UNC continues their murderous schedule going back into Big 12 territory to take on Mack Brown's Texas Longhorns. The Tarheels are now 0-2 on the season and really looked awful last week against Maryland. The question around Chapel Hill should be how long will John Bunting go with Ronald Curry. My personal opinion is that he'd be better served going ahead and playing Darian Durant. Regardless of who plays more in Austin, the Eyes of Texas will not shine upon them. Texas will win this one big as they are as good on offense as UNC is inept on offense.
The Crippler picks TEXAS 41, NORTH CAROLINA 14

Georgia Tech (-25) at Navy
Georgia Tech is now 2-0 on the season but there has to be a little sense of urgency in Atlanta as Tech has yet to really play well. Last week, they understandably took it easy on The Citadel. Is it possible that George O'Leary has been saving the playbook for next week's epic ACC Matchup in Tallahassee? Well, Yellowjacket faithful have been waiting for that game for a long time so it's very possible. If so, then the next question has to be, can GT still play their vanilla game and beat Navy? Well, it is Navy so the answer is yes but I think the Midshipmen wil stick around alot longer than O'Leary will be comfortable with.
The Crippler picks GEORGIA TECH 31, NAVY 10

Wofford at Clemson (no line)
Why O' why? Poor Wofford. After Tulane backed out of their deal to play Clemson this year, Clemson athletic officials searched (and not very hard I might add) to find a replacement. They settled on the Wofford Terriers. OUCH! Well, at least Terrier fans don't have to travel very far to see their team this week since Wofford is in Spartanburg, only a half hour or so from Clemson and Clemson fans get another W. You can expect Clemson to score alot of points this week but as many points as they will score, that's as much as their strength of schedule and possible BCS chances will diminish.
The Crippler picks CLEMSON 45, WOFFORD 14

UAB at Florida State (off the board due to UAB suspensions)
UAB is trying to gain some respect in Conference USA, while FSU is just trying to establish some stability going into next week's game against Georgia Tech. UAB is not a bad team by any means but they are undermanned against the Noles. Now, factor in the fact that UAB has suspended 12 players including the starting QB and this one will get downright ugly. Bobby Bowden can pretty much decide by how much he wants to win this one but I don't expect him to really pour it on as there isn't much to gain under the new BCS formula and he will probably want to get some young guys into the game and really work on some things for next week against GT.
The Crippler picks FLORIDA STATE 35, UAB 13

Eastern Michigan at Maryland (-24)
I never thought the day would come when excitement about football would return to College Park but Ralph Friedgen has done it. Maryland beat UNC last week in convincing fashion but really did not play at that well on offense, which is Friedgen's specialty. The defense is what really shined for Maryland. One big play on the first play of the game and that was all for UNC. EMU comes in this week but expect the Terps to keep on rolling. This game will give Friedgen an opportunity to try to tweak the offense a little to kick them into gear.
The Crippler picks MARYLAND 35, EASTERN MICHIGAN 7

Appalachian State at Wake Forest (no line)
Who would have ever thought Wake Forest would start the season with two wins? Well, it will happen. Appalachian State comes to Winston-Salem saturday with an excellent Division I-AA program that has beaten the Deacons before...but not this year. I'm still not completely sold on the Wake Forest turnaround but beating East Carolina last week has made me take notice. Could there be a Cinderella story brewing on the forgotten Tobacco Road? Well, we'll have to wait a couple of weeks to find out because this game won't be an indication.
The Crippler picks WAKE FOREST 28, APPALACHIAN STATE 17

Duke at Rice (-9.5)
One word describes this game...YUCK! The Crippler almost didn't pick this game due to a severe lack of interest but it's still an ACC game so I'll go ahead and pick it anyway. Rice is bad, real bad. Duke is bad, real bad. I think Duke is just a little worse so Rice gets the nod.
The Crippler picks RICE 27, DUKE 20

GAMES FOR THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 1


North Carolina (-3) at Maryland
The Ralph Friedgen era begins at Maryland as the Terps entertain the Tar Heels. He definitely inherits a tough position as the Terps lost their main playmaker in RB Lamont Jordan and do not return much from a very mediocre team last year. Look for Friedgen to try to mix things up and spread the UNC defense around because they simply cannot block the Heels defensive line one on one. UNC is back in action after losing on the road to defending national champion Oklahoma. In that game, UNC did not play poorly and they gained some valuable game experience. Maryland is hoping for a repeat of last week which saw UNC turn the ball over way too much. Does lightning strike UNC head coach John Bunting twice? I don't think so. UNC is just a bit better than Maryland right now.
The Crippler picks NORTH CAROLINA 24, MARYLAND 17
Actual Final Score MARYLAND 23, NORTH CAROLINA 7

Central Florida at Clemson (-19)
The Golden Knights will be looking to gain some national respect as they invade Death Valley this saturday. Clemson appears to be ripe for the picking after losing two starters in the preseason to injury, including one on an already thin defense. The Golden Knights have a potent offense but not much on offense. That spells trouble for UCF because even though Clemson does not have much experience at WR, they still have Woody Dantzler and Travis Zachary, who should be enough to carry the Tigers. Look for Clemson coach Tommy Bowden to try to get the highly touted WR duo of Airese Currie and Roscoe Crosby alot of touches early to work them into the offense as Clemson will need them later on in the season. An upset is possible here but highly unlikely.
The Crippler picks CLEMSON 31, CENTRAL FLORIDA 17
Actual Final Score CLEMSON 21, CENTRAL FLORIDA 13

Richmond at Virginia (no line)
The Richmond Spiders are taking the short trip to Charlottesville to battle the Cavaliers this weekend. UVa lost alot more than a football game last saturday in Wisconsin. RB Antwoine Womack, the team's main offensive threat, went down early with an ankle sprain and is having surgery and will be out 9 weeks. That really hurts UVa's chances of competing in the ACC this season, the first for head coach Al Groh. Not exactly a bright start for Groh as he tries to replace the legend of George Welsh. The bright side for UVa is that Richmond should give very little opposition here as this game is little more than a glorified scrimmage so Groh should get a good opportunity to work in a lot of players to get a good look at who will replace Womack.
The Crippler picks VIRGINIA 31, RICHMOND 10
Actual Final Score VIRGINIA 17, RICHMOND 16

Florida State (-30) at Duke
How will Bobby Bowden ever survive starting a freshman QB? Please, FSU will be FSU again and this game will get ugly as usual. Duke's program cannot get much worse but it certainly won't get better this week. New Seminole QB Chris Rix couldn't have picked a better game to make his debut. Bobby Bowden will use this game as a chance to give the new QB some experience and to develop the running and receiving corps. All of this sounds good for Duke's chances to stay close but the FSU defense is business as usual and Duke will struggle to score. In any case, I'll be nice to Duke and say they'll keep it closer than some other years but they are no threat to knock off the Seminoles.
The Crippler says FLORIDA STATE 42, DUKE 7
Actual Final Score FLORIDA STATE 55, DUKE 13

The Citadel at Georgia Tech (no line)
Georgia Tech looked pretty lackluster in last week's victory over Syracuse and they will need to improve if they hope to make a run at the Rose Bowl this year. Well, The Citadel comes calling this weekend and Tech will surely try to get on the right track. The Citadel is not a very good Southern Conference team so they are really in for a long day but hey, that paycheck will help ease the pain. I expect George Godsey to play longer than expected in this one to give him some extra gametime reps but primarily, the Yellowjackets are going to pound the Bulldogs into submission. This one is definitel a no-contest.
The Crippler picks GEORGIA TECH 49, THE CITADEL 14
Actual Final Score GEORGIA TECH 35, THE CITADEL 7

Wake Forest at East Carolina
The Demon Deacons travel to Greenville to take on the Pirates. ECU is full of optimism going into this season and this game should help keep that optimism high. East Carolina should not have much of a problem in disposing of Wake Forest. Wake Forest will be improved this season but they'll still battle Duke for the ACC cellar. ECU QB David Garrard and RB Leonard Henry should be able to score at will on the young Wake defense. Wake Forest does have a good talent in RB Tarance Williams but he is about the only weapon on offense and ECU's defense will be very solid and should be able to take him out of the game.
The Crippler picks EAST CAROLINA 34, WAKE FOREST 17
Actual Final Score WAKE FOREST 21, EAST CAROLINA 19

GAMES FOR THE WEEK OF AUGUST 25


Virginia at Wisconsin (-9.5)
The Wahoos travel to Camp Randall to take on the Badgers in this preseason classic but don't expect a classic game. Wisconsin is lacking the workhorse go-to RB they've had for many years in Ron Dayne and Michael Bennett but they do have QB Brooks Bollinger and WR Lee Evans returning and are looking to add a little more spice to their offense. Virginia is lacking...well, George Welsh for starters. Welsh retired last year and Al Groh took over. Al Groh is no slouch but Welsh did not exactly leave the cupboard fully stocked as the Cavaliers really have only RB Antoine Womack and WR Billy McMullen returning on offense. Womack is a good talent that has yet to reach his potential and McMullen has no proven QB throwing to him. Wisconsin is always tough to beat at Camp Randall and UVa will probably take a few games to find and identity this year with the new faces. Look for Wisconsin to win this one fairly easily.
The Crippler picks WISCONSIN 24, VIRGINIA 10
Actual Final Score WISCONSIN 26, VIRGINIA 17

North Carolina at Oklahoma (-21)
The Tarheels are making the long trek to the heartland to battle the defending National Champion Sooners. You have to wonder what the schedule-maker in Chapel Hill was thinking with their murderous schedule. UNC will be looking for DE Julius Peppers, last season's NCAA sack leader, to get to Oklahoma QB Nate Hybl early and force him to make some mistakes, which is possible considering this is his first real start. Of course, Hybl will be helped by a returning cast including RB Quentin Griffin and WRs Andre Woolfolk, Antwone Savage and Curtis Fagan. That is an awful lot of firepower and UNC just does not have enough Julius Peppers' to fend them all off. OU will put up some points and UNC just doesn't have the punch on offense to keep up. OU will win this one but I think the 21 point pointspread is a little too high for the first game of the year.
The Crippler picks OKLAHOMA 31, NORTH CAROLINA 13
Actual Final Score OKLAHOMA 41, NORTH CAROLINA 27

Georgia Tech (-7.5) vs. Syracuse
The Yellowjackets are ready to begin the 2001 campaign with visions of Roses dancing in their heads. Well, they better keep their heads focussed on the Orangemen or their visions of Roses will wither away before they can really get started. Georgia Tech and Syracuse square off in Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey in the Kickoff Classic. This game will come down to whether Syracuse can put enough points on the board to stay with the Jackets. Not to say that the Cuse doesn't have a good defense but they won't be able to stop QB George Godsey, RB Joe Burns and WRs Kelly Campbell and Kerry Watkins. Way too much talent and speed there. So, that brings us back to the original question, can the Syracuse offense score enough on the Tech defense to keep them in the game? Sorry, Orange, don't see it happening. This one goes to the Jackets in comfortable fashion.
The Crippler picks GEORGIA TECH 31, SYRACUSE 10
Actual Final Score GEORGIA TECH 13, SYRACUSE 7


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