Thursday, November 12, 2009
This week's games: Nov 11
Mark Berman looks at Saturday's ACC action and state games of note.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
VMI AT ARMY
Noon | CBS College Sports
Storyline: The I-AA Keydets (2-7) visit I-A Army for the second time in four seasons.
"I'm really excited about going, and I know our kids are," said VMI coach Sparky Woods, who has never been to Michie Stadium.
CBS College Sports will air the game on tape delay at midnight.
The Keydets lost 62-7 at West Point in 2006, back when Bobby Ross was the Army coach. Rich Ellerson now steers the Black Knights (3-6).
VMI ranks second in I-AA in rushing offense (254.9 ypg), while Army ranks 13th in I-A in that category (216.3 ypg). Both run a type of spread option.
"I do fear the line of scrimmage," Woods said. "They're very strong, and we're beat up there."
The Keydets rank last among 118 I-AA teams in turnover margin, with 32 turnovers to just 11 takeaways. VMI has lost the most fumbles (24) in I-AA.
"It ruined our whole season," Woods said of the turnovers. "I'd like to say it's a bunch of freshmen [fumbling], ... but it's older guys."
CLEMSON AT N.C. STATE
Noon | WDBJ
Storyline: The Tigers (6-3, 4-2), in the driver's seat for the Atlantic Division crown, try to beat State (4-5, 1-4) for the sixth straight year.
The Tigers, on a four-game winning streak, rank 20th in I-A in scoring defense (17.3 ppg).
"We felt [before the season] like we would be pretty good on defense," coach Dabo Swinney said. "Our defensive line we felt like was the strength. We felt like we'd be much improved at linebacker, and we have been. We were confident with our secondary guys because we had a lot of veterans back."
State ranks 20th in scoring offense (33.6 ppg).
GEORGIA TECH AT DUKE
Noon | ESPN2
Storyline: A win gives the Yellow Jackets (9-1, 6-1) the Coastal Division title.
Georgia Tech has won seven straight games, but coach Paul Johnson still sees flaws.
"We haven't played particularly well in the secondary," he said. "We're not where we'd like to be on either line of scrimmage ... as far as being consistent."
Duke (5-4, 3-2) is coming off a 19-6 loss to North Carolina in which it was held to 19 yards on the ground.
"We have proven we can make plays in the passing game. We've got to improve our balance in this ballgame to have a chance," coach David Cutcliffe said.
Duke needs two more wins to become bowl eligible because one of its victories came against N.C. Central, which is still making the move from Division II to I-AA.
MIAMI AT NORTH CAROLINA
3:30 p.m. | WSET
Storyline: Miami is 0-3 in Chapel Hill.
Jacory Harris has thrown for 2,336 yards for the Hurricanes (7-2, 4-2). But the Tar Heels (6-3, 2-3) are ranked 11th in I-A in scoring defense (13.2 ppg).
"It's going to be a tremendous challenge ... to be able to block the guys up front and get Jacory enough time to throw the football downfield," UM coach Randy Shannon said.
FSU AT WAKE FOREST
Noon | ESPNU
Storyline: With Christian Ponder out for the season with a separated shoulder, redshirt freshman QB E.J. Manuel makes his starting debut for Florida State (4-5, 2-4).
"I'm anxious to see what he can do," coach Bobby Bowden said. "He'd be faster than Ponder. Whether he would run as elusively as Ponder, I don't know."
The Demon Deacons (4-6, 2-4) have beaten FSU the past three years.
Wake has lost five games by three points or fewer, including two OT games.
"We put ourselves in positions to win, but in the past where we would have an interception on defense or we'd make a big catch or a big run on offense, we just haven't been able to do that late," coach Jim Grobe said.
FERRUM AT MARYVILLE
1:30 p.m.
Storyline: The Panthers (4-5, 2-4 USA South) wrap up a disappointing season with a visit to Maryville (4-5, 3-3).
"One of the big [problems] was injuries. We did not start the same lineup two weeks in a row the whole season on either side of the ball," coach Dave Davis said.
SO. VIRGINIA AT APPRENTICE
1 p.m.
Storyline: The Knights (2-8) end their season in the annual Oyster Bowl against the Shipbuilders (1-8). Both teams are winless against varsity foes.
HAMP.-SYD. AT RAND.-MACON
1 p.m.
Storyline: Hampden-Sydney (9-0, 5-0) and Randolph-Macon (6-3, 4-1) square off for the ODAC's automatic NCAA Division III playoff bid.
N.C. WESLEYAN AT AVERETT
1 p.m.
Storyline: N.C. Wesleyan (7-2, 6-0) meets Averett (7-2, 5-1) for the USA South's automatic Division III playoff berth.




