*** The Last Stretch ***
Having Miami in the Big East must have made them susceptible to the now apparently late-season-slide sickness that the Hokies have repeatedly caught over the passed few seasons. Does the ACC pose itself as a potential cure for Virginia Tech football of this? The next three games will tell that.
Hokie fans have looked down the stretch at these last three games most of the season: Maryland, Virginia, and Miami. Hokie football also finds itself in a position none of the experts dared predict: in a potential run for the ACC title. Not to become cocky yet, the Hokies still have three games that could lead them into the all too familiar late season skid.
This week, Virginia Tech hosts Maryland, a team who has lost all the games they should have won and won a big one that they shouldn't have, against Florida State. Their performance this year doesn't provide a lot of material to contemplate upon what the Terps will rely when facing the Hokies. Most of their games did not produce high numbers on offence, so they will have to count on their defense more so.
Against Florida State, quaterback Joel Statham completed 98 yards and 99 yards of passing to wide receivers Vernon Davis and Josh Allen respectively. That produced a majority of their offense. If Maryland tries to mount a strong attack on offense, they will probably go to them in their passing game.
In my opinion, the biggest threat Maryland has doesn't come in their talent, but in their emotion. They began this season ranked at twenty, and they have now sunk below mediocrity in the ACC standings. Defeating a dark horse contender for the ACC title such as the Hokies would do something to restore their now wounded pride.
*** Games to Watch & Predictions ***
Over the passed few weeks, teams in the top 20 have dropped and the Hokies have risen in the BCS standings. Could the 15 Hokies rise even futher? This list has some of the games of which the outcome could benefit Virginia Tech in their late season push. "Where's the Ice" has decided to take a stab at predictions this issue. Next week's version will summarize the results.
7 Michigan (9-1) vs. Ohio State (6-4)
Ohio State has the ability to win this, but Michigan has played very well this year and only lost to Notre Dame, who actually has a good team this year.
Prediction: It will stay interesting until late in the Third or early in the Fourth Quarter, Michigan over OSU by 14
13 Wisconsin (9-1) vs. 18 Iowa (8-2)
Wisconsin has had a great year, but so has Iowa. Wisconsin has had a recent slip from their efforts at a lossless season. Prediction: Iowa over Wisconsin by 9.
8 Florida State (8-2) vs. Florida (6-4)
Plain and simple, firing a coach mid-season in College Football just makes for a really bad idea. Prediction: FSU over Florida by 27.
3 Auburn (10-0) vs. Alabama (6-4)
As soon as the pundits start talking about teams going without a loss one game away from the regular season end, College Football fans often watch such teams falter even against teams not thought of a comparable caliber. Alabama fits that description and has in fact played well this year against some tough opponents. I think in the end Auburn will win, but it will go down into the final minutes of the game. Prediction: Auburn over Alabama by 10.
12 Miami (7-2) vs. Wake Forest (4-5)
Miami stinks right now. Beating Virginia redeemed themselves somewhat after their losses to UNC and Clemson, but I think they will underestimate Wake Forest. Prediction: Wake Forest over Miami by 6.
