Virginia Tech is badly in need of a victory after the disappointing performance in Chestnut Hill last week. Much has been made of the personal fouls, turnovers, bickering between players, and ESPN commentary, but now is the time for the team to come together. Normally a non-conference game for homecoming has little effect on the season other than the rankings, but Southern Miss has now become a critical game, and the team will either pull apart or come together after this game. I expect to see a fired up Hokie squad on Saturday night and I believe we will see a rejuvenated Virginia Tech team give their best effort.

Southern Miss is a dangerous team to face at any time, but this is not a team that you want to face following two straight losses. However, the Golden Eagles have been hit by a rash of injuries, including their sensational freshman running back Damion Fletcher. USM is down to their fifth tailback, with two others taking personal leave and one quitting the team before the season. Normally, Southern Miss likes to establish the run behind an option attack, but the loss of the running backs may force the Golden Eagles to the air.

Quarterback Jeremy Young (#10, 6-3 215, r-Jr.) shows a good touch and excellent mobility, though he has been slowed by a turf toe injury. If USM does go to a passing attack, we may see Michigan State transfer Stephen Reaves (#12, 6-1 210, r-Jr.) who started a couple of games for the Spartans before being replaced by Drew Stanton. The main receiving target is tight end Shawn Nelson (#1, 6-5 238, r-So.) who had a tremendous freshman season, but has been slowed by a high ankle sprain this year. Protecting the quarterbacks will be the most experienced offensive line in college football this year, with the most returning starts of any team. The line is lead by all-everything right guard George Batiste (#70, 6-5 300, r-Sr.), but will miss his counterpart Travis Cooley (#55, 6-2 295, r-Sr.) at the other guard because of a knee injury.

Even though they are banged up, the Southern Miss offense is still dangerous. The defense is athletic and aggressive, providing many different looks with a number of different personnel packages. The best player on the Golden Eagle defense is strong safety Brandon Sumrall (#6, 5-11 195, Jr.) who makes plays all over the field. Cornerback Jasper Faulk (#21, 5-10 190, r-Sr.) is another player to watch in the secondary. USM rotates a number of players in their front seven and will often give different looks at the line-of-scrimmage, including an occasional "chaos" look in which the players do not appear to be lining up at any specific position.

Virginia Tech should be ready to play, and having a night game in Lane Stadium is a huge advantage for the Hokies. Tech needs to start fast and establish momentum right away to keep the crowd alive. Look for the Hokies to use a varied attack with Brandon Ore being the focal point for the offense. Defensively, Tech needs to take away the run and force Southern Miss to be a passing team. I see the Hokies controlling the ball and winning a physical ball game. Virginia Tech wins 27-6.

Not one of my better weeks in the ACC as I went 4-3 last week, though I did hit the Miami/Florida International game on the nose. My misses were the Hokie loss at BC, Maryland's rally over UVA, and Wake Forest's exciting win over N.C. State. My record in the ACC falls to 39-13 for the year. Here are the results from last week:

The two top teams in the ACC square off in a hard-hitting battle that could be a preview of the ACC Championship Game. The real test will be the Tigers' offensive line against the defensive front of Georgia Tech. Clemson will try to establish their running game behind James Davis and C.J. Spiller, but KaMichael Hall, Philip Wheeler, and crew will have something to say about that. Reggie Ball needs to have a big day and Calvin Johnson will present a huge problem for Clemson's secondary, but I see Georgia Tech having some trouble moving the ball consistently on the Tigers. Ultimately this game will come down to big plays and I believe Clemson's offensive line and running backs will be the difference. Clemson by 17 (34-17)

Both teams need this win badly to stay in the race for the Atlantic Division, particularly if Clemson defeats Georgia Tech. Matt Ryan is questionable with a foot injury, and his play is imperative if BC is going to have a chance against the swarming FSU defense. While the Seminoles appear to be having a down year, Florida State still has a lot of talent, and their speed will present problems for BC. Without Ryan I don't see the Eagles having a chance, but BC's defense is underrated and could keep them in the game. However, the speed of Lorenzo Booker and Antone Smith will be trouble for the Eagle defense. I see BC keeping it close provided Ryan plays, but FSU wins this one at home. Florida State by 2 (23-21)

A critical game for two teams trying to stay in the Atlantic Division race has the Wolfpack traveling to College Park to face the Terps. Both teams were involved in nail-biters last week and I would expect the same this week. N.C. State has been resurgent behind quarterback Daniel Evans, but the key for the Pack is to run the ball with Andre Brown and Toney Baker. Likewise the Terps need to run the ball behind Lance Ball, so the winner will likely be the team that can establish the running game. I like Maryland's defense at home, so I will go with the Terps in a close game. Maryland by 6 (27-21)

Miami needs to regroup and focus on the remainder of the season, so what better remedy than facing the Blue Devils of Duke. By my count, the Hurricanes only lost three starters as a result of the fight with Florida International, but two of those are in the secondary (Brandon Meriweather and Randy Phillips) and four of the suspended players were back-ups in the secondary. If Duke can throw the ball effectively they might be able to put some points on the board against Miami. Offensively, Miami is near full strength, so I expect the Hurricanes to come out fired up and score early. While many predictions have Duke possibly pulling off the upset, I do not see that happening. Miami by 23 (37-14)

I had another up-and-down week, hitting a couple of upsets and missing some others. Overall, I finished 14-4, missing the Michigan/Penn State game with the Wolverines knocking out two Nittany Lion QBs, Rutgers sinking of Navy, Indiana's upset of Iowa, and Vandy's surprising last second win at Georgia. My record for the season is now 104-12. The biggest game on the slate for this week is likely the Big 12 Championship Game preview with Nebraska hosting Texas. Here are the results from last week:

This match-up may be a preview of the Big 12 Championship Game as the Cornhuskers host the Longhorns. Hard to believe that the difference in this game may be the passing of the two quarterbacks, Zac Taylor for Nebraska and the improving Colt McCoy for Texas. The Horns have more playmakers at receiver and running back, which should offset the experience advantage for Taylor. I believe Texas is too strong for the Huskers in the trenches and ultimately that advantage will be the difference in the game. Texas by 13 (27-14)

The Hawkeyes are looking for revenge for last year's overtime victory by the Wolverines, but Chad Henne, Mike Hart, and crew will be tough to beat in the big house. Michigan's secondary, led by Leon Hall, is greatly improved and should slow down Drew Tate. The defensive front headed by Lamar Woodley is much more focused this year, making it difficult for Iowa to move the ball. Look for Hart to have a big day, though the Hawkeye defense will be tough as always. Michigan by 13 (23-10)

The first big game in the surprising Big East sees Dave Wannstedt's resurgent Pitt Panthers host the undefeated Rutgers Scarlet Knights. Rutgers is for real, but Tyler Palko is playing phenomenally well, and I am still suspicious of the Scarlet Knight defense, even though they totally shut down the potent Navy running game last week. The speed of the Pitt defense should slow down Ray Rice and Brian Leonard and the Panthers will pick up the win at home. Pittsburgh by 13 (30-17)

The best SEC game will pit two heated rivals against one another in an always emotional contest. These two programs truly hate each other, but the Vols appear to have the talent edge this year. Tennessee's defense has been very stingy this year and the Bama offense has been erratic behind first-year quarterback John Parker Wilson. The Vols should shut down Ken Darby and the Crimson Tide running game while the Tennessee receivers will make enough plays to win the game. Tennessee by 14 (27-13)

Ohio State over Indiana by 39 (49-10)

West Virginia over Connecticut by 17 (27-10)

Louisville over Syracuse by 16 (30-14)

Auburn over Tulane by 38 (41-3)

Notre Dame over UCLA by 14 (31-17)

California over Washington by 22 (35-13)

LSU over Fresno State by 34 (41-7)

Oregon over Washington State by 5 (28-23)

Boise State over Idaho by 20 (37-17)

Arkansas over Mississippi by 16 (37-21)

Oklahoma over Colorado by 21 (31-10)

Wisconsin over Purdue by 7 (27-20)

Georgia over Mississippi State by 19 (26-7)

Oklahoma State over Texas A&M by 3 (23-20)

For the 1-AA schools in the state of Virginia, I was 4-1 in my predictions for last week with the only miss being James Madison's huge upset over previously #1 New Hampshire. I now stand at 32-5 for the season. Here are the results from last week:

The big intra-state 1-AA game this week is James Madison hosting William & Mary. Also, two of the favorites for the MEAC title will clash, as Hampton travels to South Carolina State.

James Madison over William & Mary by 16 (37-21)
Hampton over South Carolina State by 1 (24-23)
Richmond over Delaware by 10 (24-14)
Charleston Southern over VMI by 9 (30-21)
Liberty over Gardner-Webb by 8 (21-13)
Florida A&M over Norfolk State by 3 (20-17)

Be safe traveling to and from the game!