Site icon Student Union Sports

B1G vs ACC

Welcome to day 3 of our little tournament.  A late run by the Big 12 came up short, as the PAC 12 prevailed 5-3-2.  We now move on to the bottom halves of the B1G and the ACC (as voted on by our contributors).  Lot of sneaky good match ups in this one as we try and crown the “champs”.

Nebraska vs UNC

Nebraska – Anthony Ventura

If you like nine-win seasons, with an over-hyped but historically good brand, then you’ll love the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Last year Nebraska went 9-4 with a bowl loss, but those four losses came to #11 Wisconsin, #6 Ohio State, #21 Tennessee, and an Iowa team who was hot at the time they played. Even two years ago, when they only had five wins, they somehow managed to get into a bowl and beat UCLA. Tommy Armstrong is no longer in Lincoln, not that he was that great, but he was a constant with this team. He had seemingly been there as long as Perry Ellis was at Kansas. They look to replace him with Tulane transfer Tanner Lee, who has emerged as the top QB going into this year. They did sign some high-profile recruits, including top WR target Tyjon Lindsay, who played at the national championship high school, Bishop Gorman. Maybe Lindsay and other new targets can emerge and give Lee some options to hit.  I think Nebraska pairs well with this UNC team though. Both teams lost their QB from the previous season, and both have shaky defenses. UNC lost top players Mitch Trubisky, Ryan Switzer and Elijah Hood to the draft and will need to find replacements fast. Neither team has a stellar offense, or a good defense really, so it will come down to whichever defense can get a big stop near the end of the half or end of the game. In a battle of defenses, I tend to lean with the Big Ten team. Cornhuskers over Tar Heels.

UNC – Luke Maiers

This season will be Larry Fedora’s sixth year as the North Carolina football coach, and he has made five (should have been six) bowl games in that time frame. Before he got there in 2011, the Tar Heels hadn’t finished first in ACC Coastal Division in the 2000s. He has done that twice in six seasons. Fedora has been a great coach since he arrived at UNC. He turned that program around, and they will have continued success this season. If they were to match-up with Nebraska for a game, give me the Heels. Nebraska is one of the more unreliable/unpredictable teams in the country. Plus, their fans are the absolute worst. They pushed Bo Pellini out of town because nine win seasons “weren’t good enough.” Wake up idiots, this isn’t the 90s. You play in a tough conference now, unlike the Big 12. UNC will win this game because the Cornhuskers will stomp on their own manhood and hand the win over. UNC is decent as well.

Who would win Nebraska vs UNC?

  • Nebraska (58%, 21 Votes)
  • UNC (42%, 15 Votes)

Total Voters: 36

 Loading ...

Michigan State vs Pittsburgh

Michigan State – Chris Schnieder

Coming off a 3-9 season, Michigan State will have a lot doubters in 2017, but the Spartans are no strangers to the “chip on the shoulder” mentality and the feeling around East Lansing is that the Spartans are primed for a bounce back season. On offense, running back LJ Scott will lead the Spartans. The junior from Ohio is one of the best RBs in the Big Ten and is capable of busting a 70 yard run at any point. Alongside LJ Scott, Brian Lewerke looks to be the next great Quarterback to play for MSU, already drawing comparisons to Kirk Cousins. Against an inexperienced Pitt defense, the Spartans should have a field day. Defensively, Michigan State will be young, but they have a lot of talented guys just waiting to breakout such as Mike Panasiuk, Joe Bachie, and Justin Layne. While MSU’s defense is young, I think the Spartans have enough playmakers to keep Max Browne and Pitt in check. This one should be a hard fought win for the Green and White.

Pittsburgh – Frank Fanelli

Is it possible for the Pitt offense to be even more dangerous despite the loss of inspirational star RB James Conner and bombing QB Nathan Peterman? Probably not. After finishing tenth in the nation in scoring and averaging close to 450 yards per game, their offense is still going to be really, really good. USC transfer Max Browne is a talented veteran whose main problem is that he’s not Sam Darnold. There are options if he’s not great, but in this offense he’ll get plenty of time to work behind a good line. That could be the biggest issue with the attack…who’ll replace Dorian Johnson and Adam Bisnowaty on the left side? The receiving corps will help make the transition to Browne seamless. Jester Weah and Quadree Henderson, when he’s not cranking out massive runs out of the backfield, should be among the ACC’s deadliest receiving tandems. The running back situation is going to be figured out on the fly. There’s not a tough guy like Conner, but Henderson will get a little work to go along with all the options. Now their D? It was….. interesting. Defensive coordinator Josh Conklin and defensive-minded head coach Pat Narduzzi weren’t afraid to sell the house to get to the quarterback and leave the defensive backfield hung out to dry. The Panthers had the second-worst pass defense in the country, allowing 333 yards per game and 453 overall. There’s talent in the defensive backfield, and while there will still be problems, at least there’s going to be more of a rotation with a deeper pool of options to choose from around Jordan Whitehead at safety and Avonte Maddox at one corner. The defensive front has to replace pass rushing terror Ejuan Price. It should be a good front four with the return of end Dewayne Hendrix after missing almost all of last year and two other starters back. Pitt rides the play of Browne and beats MSU 35-28.

Who would win Michigan St vs Pitt?

  • Pitt (54%, 20 Votes)
  • Michigan St (46%, 17 Votes)

Total Voters: 37

 Loading ...

Indiana vs Wake Forest

Indiana – Lilly Donahue

Indiana football has been consistently improving for the past four seasons. The Hoosiers head into the 2017 season with back-to-back bowl appearances under their belt, and bring with them a host of returning starters. QB Richard Lagow was a wildcard last year, with the arm strength to throw it a mile, but also an affinity for interceptions. He looks to return this season with a year under his belt, and will likely be more consistent. While IU has to replace a talented RB in Devine Redding, they will employ a committee of solid backs this year. The passing game will be one to watch with a healthy Simmie Cobbs joining talented receivers in Nick Westbrook and Ian Thomas. Former DC Tom Allen now holds the reigns as head coach, and will bring a strong Hoosier defense on the field, led by star LB Tegray Scales and a dangerous DB group. The returning strengths of IU outweigh their losses, and the Hoosiers will look to get revenge for last year’s loss to Wake Forest. If Lagow can limit his interceptions, (he threw a whopping 5 in last year’s matchup), the Hoosiers should be able to come out on top.

Wake Forest – Austin Montgomery

The Demon Deacons went 7-6 last year and won a bowl game. Wake Forest should continue to improve in Dave Clawson’s 4th year, and the first in which the opposing team does not have knowledge of their play script.  They return just about everyone on the offensive side of the ball. Wake Forest’s 7 offensive linemen combine for over 75 starts, and juniors Justin Herron, Phil Hayes, and Ryan Herron have All-ACC potential. They return their top two running backs, and return every receiver who caught a pass last year.  Experience and depth should make the Wake Forest offense more effective. The Wake Forest defensive was magnificent last year, ranking in the top 20 in scoring defense by allowing just 22.3 points per game.  The Deacons return passing rushing sensation Duke Ejiofor, who recorded 10.5 sacks last season to lead a defensive line that has some very nice depth. Wake Forest thrived in rushing the passer, ranking 11th in the country in sacks in the country. They also return sensational defensive back Jesse Bates, who may be the best safety in the country not named Derwin James.  Bates was second on the team in tackles totaling 108 stops and recorded 5 interceptions, returning two of them for touchdowns. The one weaknesses in Wake Forest’s defensive armor is their thin linebacker core and rush defense. Wake Forest went 0-4 when teams rushed for over 200 yards.  However, Indiana’s weak rushing attack should not even threaten that mark. Indiana rushers averaged a minimal 3.8 yards per carry last year. Look for Wake Forest to dominate the Hoosiers in the trenches. Wake Forest’s pressure should handicap the Indiana offense and the Wake Fores’st defense will be able to make some huge plays.  Wake Forest wins after a defensive touchdowns turns the momentum in their favor.

Wake Forest wins in a close one 20-10.

Who would win Indiana vs Wake Forest?

  • Indiana (71%, 25 Votes)
  • Wake Forest (29%, 10 Votes)

Total Voters: 35

 Loading ...

Maryland vs Syracuse

Maryland – Brendan Smith

Coming off a year which saw the Terps double their win total from 2015, DJ Durkin’s squad is primed for an improved 2017. One problem remains however, and that is at quarterback, the most important position on the field. Last year’s starter, Perry Hills, who was injured for most of the season, has graduated, leaving in his wake a four man race for the quarterback job. According to the Baltimore Sun, Max Bortenschlager currently is in the lead over the rest of the group. Bortenschlager played in 2 games, starting 1, and totaled 209 yards and 1 touchdown without throwing an interception in 2016. D.J. Moore, who lead the team with 637 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns last season, returns to give Bortenschlager an outside option. 6’5” tight end Derrick Hayward returns in hopes of earning a larger role than last season, when he caught 4 passes, including a touchdown. Hayward’s size can give the Terps match up advantages in the red-zone. Ty Johnson also returns after a breakout season in which he gained 1004 yards on the ground to go along with 6 touchdowns. Johnson’s counterpart, Lorenzo Harrison, also returns after gaining 633 yards on the ground with 5 touchdowns, giving the Terps a dangerous 1-2 punch on the ground.
Defensively, senior linebacker Jermaine Carter, Jr. returns after accumulating 110 tackles last season to pace the team. Carter, Jr. and fellow senior linebacker Shane Cockerille will anchor the defense from the middle. Freshman Markquese Bell, the 88th-ranked recruit according to ESPN, will be counted on to boost a secondary that managed just 5 interceptions last season. Turnovers will be the key for this experienced Terps defense.
Durkin brought in a consensus top 20 recruiting class, ranking as high as 18 (24/7 Sports). It seems that this team will have a mix of veterans and talented freshman. Will they win the BIG? Probably not, but can they beat up on Syracuse? Without a doubt.

Syracuse – Brendan Smith

Eric Dungey is (hopefully) finally healthy and ready to lead the offense for a full season. After throwing for 2,679 yards and 15 touchdowns in an injury-shortened season in 2016, Dungey was named to the Manning Award Watch List entering this season. While he lost top target, Amba Etta-Tawo, Ervin Phillips returns after hauling in 90 catches for 822 yards and 6 touchdowns. Dontae Strickland, the team’s leading rusher with 566 yards last season is also back, giving head coach Dino Babers an experienced group to pace the offense. The key for the offense to be successful is Dungey’s health. In his previous two seasons, Dungey has missed a total of 7 seven games, leaving Babers to count on a backup quarterback in his absence. A healthy Dungey will greatly improve the Orange offense.
Both Paris Bennett and Zaire Franklin, the team’s two leading tacklers from last season, return to lead what should be an improved defense. The unit as a whole was weak, generating just 16 sacks and 19 turnovers. Notre Adams transfer Devin M. Butler should help the secondary in experience and creating turnovers.
With a healthy Dungey, Babers can turn Syracuse around. As long as the defense can limit big plays, Syracuse’s offense should keep them in games. A victory against Maryland is not out of reach.

Who would win Maryland vs Syracuse?

  • Syracuse (59%, 19 Votes)
  • Maryland (41%, 13 Votes)

Total Voters: 32

 Loading ...

Illinois vs Boston College

Illinois – Seth Berland

Well, year one under coach Lovie Smith was an interesting one for the Illini. They did see some improvement and had some very explosive players (and games), but they were not nearly consistent enough for it to show up big in the win column.

Yes, BC had more wins than Illinois last year. But the match ups for Illinois play to their advantage; the biggest weakness on this team is the defense, but BC has just a horrible offense, so they won’t be able to do much damage against anyone. On the other end, the Illini have a dynamic rushing attack with last year’s top RBs Kendrick Foster (720 yards, 7 TDs) and Reggie Corbin (523 yards, 2 TDs), and while BC has a pretty strong defensive line, the Illini return 3 starters on the o-line. This may not be the most exciting match up to watch when Boston College is on offense, but on the other side, the Illini offense could put up enough big plays to pull off the “upset”.

Boston College – Ben Shumate

Boston College may well have been one of the worst teams to make a bowl game in 2016, especially from a Power 5 conference. But don’t tell that to Maryland, who somehow gave up 36 points to one of the weakest offenses in the FBS in last year’s Quick Lane Bowl, which ended in a surprisingly-entertaining BC win.

The good news for BC is that 17 starters will return from last year’s bowl team. The defense, which carried the team pretty much the whole season in 2016, ranks 42nd in returning production according to SB Nation’s Bill Connelly. And likewise, the offense ranks 53rd.

So an offense that couldn’t get much worse (127th in total offense, better than only Rutgers!) is bound to be better. There’s depth at receiver and lots of experience on the offensive line. Jon Hillman is healthy and was named to the Doak Walker watch list this summer. It’s always troubling when a team hasn’t named its starting quarterback, but they seem to have two capable(?) options in the returning Darius Wade and redshirt freshman Anthony Brown.

Whoever it ends up being won’t be asked to do a whole lot. The defense will return one of the best front 7’s in the country, outside of Clemson. That alone, and being led by a football guy like Steve Addazio, should get BC over the top against any team as mediocre as Illinois.

Who would win Illinois vs BC?

  • BC (55%, 18 Votes)
  • Illinois (45%, 15 Votes)

Total Voters: 33

 Loading ...

Purdue vs Duke

Purdue – Cody Goggin

Never thought I’d be here defending Purdue, but here I am. Also, for any of those who know me, you know I’m always willing to dog on Duke. Purdue will be slinging the rock all over the place under the new direction of head coach Jeff Brohm. After crawling out of their shells for a few years, Duke football is back to being the ACC bottom feeders they truly are. The Blue Devils really have no promise for this season, or any in the future, especially as long as Cutcliffe is still there. Purdue slings it all over Duke and makes the ACC look silly, Purdue 42-17.

Duke – PJ Guippone

No one in Durham is talking about football right now. The Blue Devils are coming off one of their worst seasons under David Cutcliffe at a basketball school that just signed a five-star recruit they shouldn’t have even had a chance at until next season. That doesn’t necessarily lead to excitement around the football team on campus. Still, the motivation is within the team, which is trying to avoid missing another postseason after making four straight before last year. They have veterans on both the offensive and defensive lines, and a returning quarterback who was voted the most valuable player of the team last season. Cutcliffe also seems confident based on the positive comments he made after the team’s second scrimmage. At the end of the day though, they are playing Purdue.  And, Purdue is bad at football.  Blue Devils by a field goal.

Who would win Purdue vs Duke?

  • Duke (55%, 17 Votes)
  • Purdue (45%, 14 Votes)

Total Voters: 31

 Loading ...

Rutgers vs Virginia

Rutgers – Brendan Smith

After a horrific 2-10 season, there is nowhere for this program to go but up. Louisville transfer Kyle Bolin was just named the starting quarterback after a three-way battle in fall camp. Bolin played in 13 games over 3 years before eventually losing the starting job to Heisman-winning sensation Lamar Jackson. When he was dropped to 3rd string in the spring, Bolin decided to transfer. Because he is a graduate student, Bolin was immediately eligible to play for the Scarlet Knights. Multiple reports have stated that Bolin seems comfortable and competent within the offense, both positives for head coach Chris Ash. Jawuan Harris, who paced the team with 481 receiving yards, returns, looking to become the premier option for Bolin. Ash will also have last season’s leading rusher Robert Martin to count on. The offense sputtered to just 19 touchdowns last season, averaging just 15.7 points per game, and were bad enough to be shut out 4 times. Bolin’s experience should immediately help the offense score more, and as Harris matures as a playmaker, he can give Rutgers an outside threat.
While things were bad on offense, the defense might have been even worse. The unit gave up 37.5 points per game, and surrendered 45 points or more in 5 of their 12 games. To be optimistic, leading tackler Trevor Morris is back after registering 102 tackles, 3.5 TFL and 1 sack. Other than that, there is not much to be optimistic about on defense.
It is tough to see Rutgers beating Virginia, but stranger things have happened.

Virginia – Jacob Allen

The Cavaliers have a lot of questions on the offensive side of the ball, just not as many questions as to why Rutgers still has a football program. The defense has potential to carry this team to double their win total last year. LB Micah Kiser and FS Quin Blanding are both pro prospects who are tackling machines. Rutgers is a mess, and shouldn’t be able to move the ball against this Cavaliers defense. 

Who would win Rutgers vs Virginia?

  • Virginia (77%, 23 Votes)
  • Rutgers (23%, 7 Votes)

Total Voters: 30

 Loading ...
Exit mobile version