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Friday, September 22, 2006
The Fearless Friday forecast
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1: Clemson at North Carolina: Saturday’s game with North Carolina is the kind that scares Clemson fans to death. The Tigers are coming off one of the biggest wins of the Tommy Bowden era at Florida State last week. Clemson is now back in the hunt for the ACC Atlantic Division. In the past, this is when the Tigers tend to let down and lose to an inferior opponent. Playing at home, this Clemson team is too good to let that happen. At least I think it is.
2: Colorado at Georgia: Georgia’s defense is pretty good. It might be great but I have to see it against an SEC contender. The offense is a work in progress under The Kid. Saturday’s game with the 0-3 Buffs is about getting ready to play Ole Miss on the road next week and Tennessee at home on Oct. 7. Just remember that Colorado had a bunch of starters returning and that Dan Hawkins is a good coach. The light is going to come on sooner or later. But it ain’t going to happen Between the Hedges. Not with that defense.
3: Boston College at N.C. State: When his team lost to Akron two weeks ago N.C. State coach Chuck Amato noted that Akron takes academic non-qualifiers. After getting thumped at Southern Miss (37-17) last week, Amato wondered if he set expectations too high at N.C. State and compared himself to Lee Iacocca. God bless Coach Amato. He is the gift who keeps on giving. Saturday he plays another talented, well-coached team. Stay tuned. After three close games, two decided in overtime, BC is ready to break out.
4: Wake Forest at Ole Miss: Wake Forest has lost its quarterback, Ben Mauck, and its best running back, Micah Andrews. Still the Deacons are 3-0. Few people outside the football world know this, but Jim Grobe is one of the best coaches in the country. Can he come up with a plan to allow his little people to beat the big, fast people of Ole Miss? The Rebels ought to win this one despite their struggles of the last two weeks. But a little bird tells me that Wake Forest will do something special on Saturday in Oxford.
5: Alabama at Arkansas: There is no logical reason to pick Alabama in this game. The Tide is 3-0 against Hawaii, Vanderbilt and Louisiana-Monroe. The running game, which is supposed to be the strength of the team, has not been impressive. Arkansas is playing at home and has placed its hope in Mitch Mustain, the talented freshman quarterback. But I just get the feeling that the Tide has been kind of laying in the weeds and getting its ducks in a row for this game. I think Joe Kines is a great defensive coordinator and has a plan for the rookie QB. I think Alabama will win the game. But, as we prove in this space each week, I could be wrong.
