This week Big Ten powers #1 Ohio State and #2 Michigan should have no problem defeating their respective opponents—unranked Illinois and Ball State.
However one major college football contest that looks very close is in the ACC with #16 Boston College against #22 Wake Forest. The visiting Boston College Eagles are 3.5 to 4 point favorites over the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. Both teams are 7- 1 and both have played Clemson and NC State with very different results. The Eagles beat # 18 Clemson 34- 33, while the Demon Deacons lost to that same team 17-27. But BC lost to underdog NC State 15-17, while Wake beat that same team 25-23. Of additionally note on October 12, the Eagles beat then ranked #22 Virginia Tech by a wide 22- 3 margin.
There is a 3-way tie in the ACC East for first between BC, Wake Forest and Maryland, with each team being 3-1 in the conference. Unranked Maryland will play now #19 Clemson this week. Clemson finds itself favored at home by 20 points.
Boston College has been playing well lately, while Wake Forest has won two road games after losing to Clemson at home. BC’s one loss was on the road. The Demon Deacons offer a fairly balanced attack, while the Golden Eagles rack up about two-thirds of their yards in the air. BC is 42nd in scoring (26.9 PPG), while Wake is 72nd in points (22.9 PPG).
Although being banged up badly, the Deacons have managed to keep winning. Traditionally, the contests between these two teams have been settled by less than seven points.
Frosh QB Riley Skinner has led Wake Forest for much of the season, after starting QB junior Ben Mauk went down in the season opener against Syracuse. BC will have veteran signal caller Matt Ryan behind center. Skinner has played well, throwing 5 TD passes and only 1 interception. Junior BC quarterback Ryan has thrown 9 TD passes and 4 interceptions this season. BC has held opponents to an average of 14.9 PPG and Wake Forest has allowed an average of 15 PPG.
Wake has the better secondary and linebacking unit, while Boston College features solid front lines and running backs, along with a more seasoned quarterback. Many feel that these teams are evenly matched and that Ryan’s poise and experience along with the Eagles’ offensive and defensive lines may just win out here.
This game will determine which team is for real and will still be in contention for a BCS Bowl bid.
Tonight’s game is at 7 pm on ESPN.
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