ACC Football: Predicting the top games of the 2017 season
Top non-conference games
Florida State vs. Alabama (Sept. 2): There’s not much to say except this is a showcase game, and possibly a pre-match (just made that up) to the national title game for 2017. It’s being held in brand new Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Jalen Hurts vs. Deondre Francois, the debuts of Cam Akers and Najee Harris, the return of Derwin James, and two elite defenses on Labor Day weekend.
Prediction: FSU by 1
Auburn at Clemson (Sept. 9): Auburn has felt more than just a QB away but man do they have elite skill players in Chandler Cox, Jarrett Stidham, Kamryn Pettway, and Darius Slayton to go with the youngsters Nate Craig-Myers and Devan Barrett on offense. Clemson has to replace the greatest player in school history in QB Deshaun Watson. Clemson has been recruiting near Alabama level though and has two young QBs, plus Deon Cain, CJ Fuller and Hunter Renfrow ready to return to the playoff for a third straight year.
Prediction: Clemson by 2
Pittsburgh at Penn State (Sept. 9): James Franklin has to be confident rolling into the 2017 season after a near-Rose Bowl win. He returns stud RB and Heisman hopeful Saquon Barkley as well as QB Trace McSorley. Pitt on the other hand has to replace James Conner and Nate Peterman. Pitt has been known to put that one in the loss column for some elite teams since Pat Narduzzi took over.
Prediction: Penn State by 7
Notre Dame at North Carolina (Oct. 7): Brian Kelly needs a bounce-back year in 2017 to save his job. I think he’s on the hot seat second to only Jim Mora down in LA. Kelly and Larry Fedora both want to score 40-plus points per game and with new QBs, we will see how that pans out. Brandon Harris vs. Brandon Wimbush in 2017.
Prediction: Notre Dame by 3
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Notre Dame at Miami (Nov. 11): Catholics vs. The Convicts came out on ESPN in 2016 and showed not a whole lot has changed in America regarding race viewpoints and relations. The Irish make a rare trip to South Florida where they haven’t been since 1989. Miami and ND have met in Texas, Chicago and South Bend in recent years but the Golden Domers will have to deal with the humidity of Miami in November and a packed house if records hold up into November. This could be a battle for 10-wins in 2017.
Prediction: Miami by 6
Florida State at Florida (Nov. 25): The rivalry week annual battle between the Noles and Gators should be a great one in 2017. Florida’s offense has to be improved (I mean, it has to be, right?) with Feleipe Franks or Malik Zaire at QB. The Noles are going to be a top-five team by late November. This one is in The Swamp which is a loud place to play when Florida is winning. If the Gators are blown out it could be the end of Jim McElwain in Gainesville.
Prediction: FSU by 10
Georgia at Georgia Tech (Nov. 25): With the Jackets rollercoaster approach this could either be an 11-win season or a four-win bottom dweller that ends Paul Johnson’s tenure in Atlanta. This is the make-or-break year for a young Kirby Smart as well, seeing that he inherited a perennial 10-win program from Mark Richt. A lot will be on the line for both coaches in the 2017 of this rivalry.
Prediction: Georgia Tech by 3
Honorable Mention: Oklahoma State at Pittsburgh (Sept. 16)