NCAA Football East Round-Up: Va Tech Stumbling

Cincy QB Munchie Legaux led the Bearcats past Virginia Tech in the nation's capitol last week.

There were many pundits before the season started suggesting that Virginia Tech could quite possibly be a BCS team as well as a possible dark-horse for a BCS Title game bid should a few other teams stumble. It appears the Hokies are the ones stumbling as they have now fallen to 3-2 on the season after a 27-24 loss to now 3-0 Cincinnati in Landover, Maryland.

The Bearcats got a late 39-yard touchdown pass from Munchie Legaux with 13 seconds remaining for the win. His counterpart Logan Thomas had more trouble again as he threw two interceptions continuing his rather poor September. Being out of the Top 25 is rare for the Hokies who after beating Georgia Tech in the opener seemed a shoo-in for the ACC title game. That win doesn’t look so good as the Yellow Jackets are stumbling as well. Frank Beamer and Company have time to right the ship but it needs to start immediately.

Duke 34 at Wake Forest 27 -  I’ve liked the Blue Devils to get to a bowl game for some time now and they are doing nothing to prove me wrong. Duke moved to 4-1 on the season and did it with QB Sean Renfree unable to finish the game with an elbow injury. When he left, he was 22 of 28 for 204 yards and an interception, but back-up Anthony Boone came in and ended scoring the winning TD on a run in the fourth quarter. Wake out-gained Duke in the game, but committed four turnovers to Duke’s one.

Miami 44 at NC State 37 – The defenses apparently forgot to show for this ACC battle as the two teams combined for over 1,100 yards of offense including an ACC passing record of 566 yards by Stephen Morris of the Canes. Miami is now 4-1 on the season and 3-0 in the ACC. Despite a brutal defense against the pass, Miami appears headed for a potential showdown with undefeated Florida State but must shore up that D before that day comes for sure. For NC State, what started in the opener against Tennessee continued in Miami as the defense had no answer for the Hurricanes’ offense.

Looking Ahead

Chryst and the Panthers look to get above .500 with a win at Syracuse tonight.

Pittsburgh (+1 1/2) at Syracuse – Pitt travels North after righting the ship after two bad opening losses. They are now 2-2 and seem to be clicking much better on offense and defense under new coach Paul Chryst. Syracuse has to feel absolutely cursed as the Orange have lost tough games to Northwestern and Minnesota, played USC tough and beat Stony Brook. I liked the Orange in both games against the Big Ten but turnovers and poor defense did them in. I like the direction Pitt is headed in with some added confidence now I feel confident taking the Panthers to win at Syracuse tonight.

UConn (+7) at Rutgers – The Huskies are a nice football team, but they have some losses (to NC State and Western Michigan) that have me scratching my head a bit. Rutgers meanwhile, has gone into South Florida and defeated the Bulls and has gone in to SEC country and beat Arkansas. Say what you will for the Hogs right now, but anytime a team wins at an SEC school I take notice. Considering the Scarlet Knights give up just under 13 points a game and UConn ranks near the bottom of the FBS in scoring I really like Rutgers even giving the seven.

Georgia Tech (+10 1/2) at Clemson – This may very well be the biggest game the Yellow Jackets have played under Paul Johnson. After getting rolled by Middle Tennessee State last week in Atlanta, Georgia Tech is 2-3 and already has two ACC losses. Clemson comes off a high-scoring win over Boston College in Chestnut Hill and looks to keep their ACC hopes alive by beating the Jackets. I think Tech will find some success running the ball, but unfortunately the defense just lacks too much to hang with the Tigers. I love the Tigers to win by double digits in Death Valley.

Other games I’m watching (My picks in BOLD)

Georgia (+1) at South Carolina

Florida State (-16) at North Carolina State

Boston College (-10) at Army