•Florida State (8-1) at Virginia Tech (4-5), Thursday 7:30
Too bad we can’t turn the clock back to August. This looked like a heck of game back then. Now the Hokies can hope to spoil a party and stay alive in the bowl hunt. They are 4-0 in Blacksburg, but that’s 4-0 going on 4-1.
Noles, 24-14.
•Georgia Tech (4-5) at UNC (6-3), Saturday 12:30
The Tar Heels had an open date to prepare for the dive, keep, pitch, end-around routine. Meanwhile, the Jackets don’t execute the deep seam and flag pass routes that have punished Carolina’s defense.
Heels, 28-20.
•Wake Forest (5-4) at N.C. State (5-4), Saturday 3
You have to assume it’s now or never time for the Wolfpack. Next, you have to assume Wake has spent the week preparing a cover-4, umbrella defensive backfield scheme. Finally, you have to assume State has spent the week devising a mid-range passing strategy to combat cover-4.
So, it comes down to which team can do just enough in the run game and shows up with a pulse.
I’ve got to believe State will hang on at least for one more week. Pack, 24-21.
•Miami (5-4) at Virginia (3-6), Saturday noon
The Hurricanes aren’t very good and may never be again but I don’t think they’re going to lose another regular-season game and will wind up facing Florida State in Charlotte unless they declare themselves ineligible.
Miami, 27-17.
•Kansas State (9-0) at TCU (6-3), Saturday 7
Wildcat quarterback Collin Klein is from Loveland, Colo., which may explain why Heisman voters are falling in love with his season. It’s been a heck of a ride, but he's banged up and logically the Wildcats just cannot be a 12-0 team.
Frogmen, 42-38.
•Last week: 5 up, 2 down. Season 45-16.
Columnist