sutomcat
No recent Cali or Iggy awards; Mr Irrelevant
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Welcome to International Left Handers Day!
International Left-Handers Day celebrates the uniqueness of being left-handed and raises awareness about the inconveniences that those who are left-handed deal with, in a world where ninety percent of people are right-handed. Many tools and objects are designed for right-handed people, and hundreds of millions of left-handers must adapt. Not only are the disadvantages that left-handers face highlighted on the day, but any advantages that they have are also celebrated.
Of the ten percent of people who are left-handed, more are men than women. Many recent presidents have also been left-handed, including Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama. Those who are left-handed haven't always risen to such heights of power. Throughout history, left-handed people were considered inferior and were often associated with witchcraft. In Christianity, left is associated with evil, and at the last Judgement, those who are sent to the left are damned. Even a left-handed compliment has a negative connotation, as it is an unflattering compliment.
SU News
https://expo.syracuse.com/sports/g66l-2019/08/6a8b1501291293/what-we-learned-in-week-1-of-syracuse-football-preseason-camp.html (PS; Bailey)
Syracuse football is 10 days into preseason camp. The team has held eight practices and one scrimmage.
With the first full week closed, let's take a look at what we've learned thus far. From injuries to a couple key linemen, to position battles beginning to take shape, to newcomers drawing first impressions, here's a round-up with player insight and analysis:
DT McKinley Williams, C Sam Heckel sidelined
It wouldn't feel like the start of football season without a couple injuries. Unfortunately for the Orange, both of these come at positions of concern.
Defensive tackle McKinley Williams is sidelined indefinitely due to a lower-body injury. He's attended the last couple open sessions wearing a boot on his left food and rolling around on a cart. We've already touched on what that means for the Orange, but stick around for some insight on the interior d-line group via Josh Black.
Offensive lineman Sam Heckel has missed the last week due to an unspecified injury. He was not at practice during the week; Saturday's scrimmage and Sunday's session did not include segments open to the media.
Head coach Dino Babers will be available for the first time since these injuries occurred on Tuesday.
Inside the offensive line shuffle
The Orange's offensive line was hoping to mesh during fall camp.
With three starters from last year's squad having exhausted their eligibility -- and Heckel missing most of the spring due to a lower-body injury -- this was the chance for a front five to be established and reps to rack up.
Instead, Heckel is out again and that means redshirt junior Airon Servais slides back from tackle to center. He's spent brief stints on the outside each of the last two springs, and now this fall, but has been forced back to the middle due to injury each time.
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https://saturdayblitz.com/2019/08/12/syracuse-football-season-preview-predictions-2019/ (satrudayblitz.com; Smyth)
Syracuse football was one of the biggest surprises last season. Can Dino Babers and the Orange take the next step in 2019 and contend?
The 2018 season was an awesome year to be a fan of the Syracuse Orange.
The Orange shocked many people going 10-3 and winning the 2018 Camping World Bowl over West Virginia. The Orange finished ranked No. 15 in the AP and Coaches Polls.
Despite losing by four on the road, Syracuse proved to be the one of the few teams that could compete with the future 15-0 national champion Clemson.
Dino Babers has appeared to have turned Syracuse around after two consecutive 4-8 seasons to start his tenure.
Can Babers propel Syracuse to the next level or will the Orange fall back to earth in 2019?
Tommy DeVito prepares to take over for Eric Dungey
Eric Dungey is gone, but Tommy DeVito steps in prepared to lead the Syracuse offense. DeVito is more than capable of being a star college quarterback as he has shown flashes in the past.
However, DeVito has yet to start a game in college. Paul A. Esden Jr. from Inside The Loudhouse noted this in one of his previous articles.
This is a key point because DeVito has had an entire offseason to prepare as a starter. It should be interesting to watch DeVito demonstrate his growth as a player.
Syracuse does not have to solely rely on DeVito for this offense to work. Syracuse returns starting running back Moe Neal. Last season Neal led the team in rushing with 827 yards.
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https://sujuiceonline.com/2019/08/13/orange-watch-syracuse-football-2019-game-by-game-predictions-part-i/ (the juice; Bierman)
Item: Wasn’t it like, yesterday, that we were celebrating the rebirth of the Syracuse football program under Dino Babers, saluting a senior class led by Eric Dungey, Chris Slayton, and the like, following a convincing win over West Virginia in the Camping World Bowl? Now we’re just over three weeks away from the highly anticipated 2019 season and in Part I this week we take a look at games one-four in chronological order, with Part II covering the next four games to be published Aug. 20.
There were a few eyebrows raised last December when the largest private, non-profit university in the United States hired Hugh Freeze as its next football coach. But that’s exactly what the Liberty program did to embark on its first season as a full-status FBS member playing as an independent. Freeze got into hot water and subsequently lost his plum job at Ole Miss in 2017 after using his university-issued cell phone to call an escort service. In Lynchburg, Freeze is selling his past mistake to get better athletes in his new program along with an Evangelical Christian education. For the season opener, however, Freeze and the Flames (6-6 last season) don’t have enough talent to matchup with Syracuse as the Orange players flex their muscles in a 38-7 victory. It’s the second straight year SU will win on the road to begin play, the first time that has happened in program history. (1-0)
For the second straight week, the SU coaching staff will be preparing for a new coach running his program on the opposite sidelines when its matches strategy with Mike Locksley of Maryland in week two. Locksley left what seems like an annual revolving door in and out of Nick Saban’s offices at Alabama, the price of success, where he was the offensive coordinator for four seasons, after he finished an interim stint as the Terrapins head coach for six games in 2015. Actually, Locksley should have received the Maryland (5-7) job full time instead of DJ Durkin, who was fired last season amid public pressure following the death of a 19 year old player during offseason workouts. This game will be close until the fourth quarter before a defensive stop and subsequent late field goal seals a 35-20 win. (2-0)
We wrote this during ACC Media days in July, if it were not for Clemson football and the two national titles over the last three seasons, there would be no ACC Network in partnership with ESPN debuting next week (Aug. 22, 2019/7:00 p.m. ET). For all of the rich history of “Tobacco Road” and the success of ACC basketball, football is king for the mega TV dollars and revenue sharing which have made the ‘Cuse move south in its conference affiliation a no-brainer. The big difference between the last time the Tigers (15-0) played in the Dome in 2017 and this season is Trevor Lawrence. Playing in a Saturday night ABC primetime game is exactly the atmosphere Lawrence shines in, and this game will be no different. SU will give CU a game for three quarters before the Tigers pull away 38-24. (2-1, 0-1)
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http://orangefizz.net/2019/08/syracuses-most-important-players-2-airon-servais/ (orangefizz.net; Gross)
After a double-digit win season in 2018, the hype train for the upcoming season in Syracuse is packed to the brim. The Orange are less than a month away from beginning their most-anticipated season in recent memory. If SU wants to continue its rise to national prominence, a few players are going to need to thrive.
Over the next few weeks, we’ll detail the five players that need to have healthy, productive seasons if the Orange are going to meet the rising outside expectations.
#2 C Airon Servais
Dino Babers has continuously compared this year’s training camp to baking a cake. When asked how quickly the the offensive line is baking, Babers gave a one-word answer. “Slowly,” he emphasized. Protecting first year starting quarterback Tommy DeVito is #1 on the list of concerns for the upcoming season. Babers called the O-line “the key to the season,” at the ACC media kickoff. The Orange lost both their tackles on the outside, Koda Martin and Cody Conway, plus left guard Evan Adams.
With all the shakeups in the trenches, it’s imperative that the few remaining veterans lead and perform. One of those veterans is Sam Heckel, who has patiently waited for his chance to be featured as a starting lineman at Syracuse. Unfortunately, Heckel was injured in training camp with no known timetable for a return. That leaves redshirt junior Airon Servais.
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https://247sports.com/college/syracuse/Article/Syracuse-Orange-Football-Lakiem-Williams-Leadership-Role-134379632/ (247sports.com; Gaurin-Camargo)
Over the last two seasons, Syracuse’s starting linebacker spots have been manned by upperclassmen, mainly seniors. In 2018, seniors Ryan Guthrie and Kielan Whitner did a pretty good job manning both linebacking spots, racking up 207 combined total tackles. But linebacker has always been an area of concern during head coach Dino Babers’ tenure with the Orange, specifically in developing depth for the position. During his Wednesday press conference, coach Babers was visibly giddy with how much youth they have at linebacker.
“It’s going to be one of those years where, I know we got armies of upperclassmen, but I think we’re going to play enough guys, that next year, we won’t be talking about training linebackers again… But after this year, we should be able to build enough depth to where we won’t talk about this again," Babers said.
Babers’ vote of confidence comes from knowing he’s got reliable veterans at the starting spots that can allow some of that young talent to develop, specifically senior inside linebacker Lakiem Williams. Transferring from Butte College last year, Williams saw playing time at outside linebacker in seven games, recording seven tackles on defense and special teams.
“I have definitely turned into a technician on the field and in the classroom,” Williams told CuseNation.com on his transition from Butte to Syracuse. “I just want to be the man on the field that knows everything that’s going to happen, help get everybody right. That's pretty much my plan for this year; to make sure everybody's right and have a good year.”
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The Top Five Players All-Time From Blueblood College Football Programs (newarena.com)
YouTubeJim Brown, Larry Csonka, Art Monk, John Mackey, Marvin Harrison
Despite not being very relevant in the recent years, Syracuse surprisingly has a very rich football tradition. We can’t start without speaking about Jim Brown — an athlete who was truly before his time. Dominant and powerful, Brown played the running back position at a similar stature to many of the linemen he was playing against (think about that for a second). Csonka, Monk, and Mackey were all excellent talents, and Harrison was one of the better receivers in all football during the first decade of the 2000’s.
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https://www.fsunews.com/story/sports/2019/08/12/2019-football-season-preview-syracuse-orange/1987346001/ (fsunews.com; Fay)
Syracuse football is fresh off their first 10-win season since the 2001 campaign that saw the Orange go 10-3. ’Cuse stomped Florida State last year in upset fashion 30-7 in the Carrier Dome for their second win ever against the ’Noles. This year the Orange will come down to Tallahassee on Oct. 26th for the 13th matchup between these two teams.
Offense
The Orange lose their all-time passing leader Eric Dungey to graduation. Dungey played only a quarter in a half against the Seminoles before bowing out to injury. Tommy Devito valiantly came in relief going 11-16 for 144 and one touchdown in the victory.
The redshirt sophomore Devito will take over the reins from Dungey this season after appearing in seven games in 2018. The former four-star recruit will be one of seven new starters on the Syracuse offense.
The main area of concern for the Orange is their offensive line that lost three starters to graduation.
Syracuse.com reports that the line now consists of South Alabama graduate transfer Ryan Alexander at left tackle, Airon Servais at right tackle, Sam Heckel at center, juco transfer Darius Tisdale at right guard, and Evan Adams at left guard. Servais switched positions this year from center to right tackle and Evans moved from right guard to left guard.
Trishton Jackson, a Michigan State transfer, will take over the receiving role vacated by Jamal Custis, who now resides in the NFL with the Chiefs. Custis was the leading receiver for the Orange hauling in 51 passes for 906 yards and six touchdowns, including a four-catch 56-yard performance against the ’Noles last year.
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'Cuse Militia Podcast: Episode 151- Syracuse Football/Basketball, Cuse Juice Off-Season News! on Apple Podcasts (apple.com; podcast; Cuse Militia)
What's up Cuse Nation? Tonight we talk injuries, visas, the Dungey return (kinda). Then, this episodes Twitter poll, training camp news. Then, we go over the ORANGE running backs!!
Syracuse football to honor 1959 and 1979 teams this season (localsyr.com)
Two of Syracuse’s most accomplished football teams will be honored at home games during the 2019 season.
Syracuse Athletics will recognize the 60th anniversary of the 1959 national championship team on Saturday, Sept. 14 versus Clemson during Homecoming/Orange Central Weekend. The 1979 Orange, champions of the Independence Bowl, are celebrating their 40th anniversary this season and will be honored on Saturday, Sept. 21 when Syracuse hosts Western Michigan.
The first undefeated team in school history, the 1959 Orange went 11-0 and defeated Texas in the Cotton Bowl on its way to winning the program’s only national championship.
Coached by the legendary Ben Schwartzwalder, the 1959 Syracuse squad dominated its opponents. The Orange led the nation in scoring offense (39.0 ppg), total offense (451.5 ypg), rushing offense (313.6 ypg), total defense (96.2 ypg) and rushing defense (19.3 ypg). Syracuse outscored its 10 regular-season foes 390-59 before upending the fourth-ranked Longhorns 23-14 in Dallas.
Schwartzwalder was picked as the national coach of the year and the team featured several of the program’s most iconic players, including All-Americans Ernie Davis, Gerhard Schwedes, Roger Davis, Fred Mautino and Bob Yates.
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https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/nc-state/article233624592.html (newsobserver.com; Giglio)
The schedule sets up again this season for the Wolfpack to potentially get off to another fast start.
A game-by-game breakdown of the first half of the schedule:
EAST CAROLINA
Date: Aug. 31
Time: noon. TV: ACC Network
Series: N.C. State leads 17-13 (last meeting: 58-3 win, 2018, Raleigh)
The 2018 regular season ended with a 58-3 Wolfpack rout of the Pirates at Carter-Finley Stadium. That was an ECU team with an interim coach, without a quarterback and decimated by injuries.
In short, don’t expect the Pirates to look anything like that version on Aug. 31. ECU made a great hire in new coach Mike Houston, who won a national championship at James Madison in 2016. Houston led the Dukes into Carter-Finley in last season’s opener and nearly knocked off a veteran N.C. State team.
A healthy Holton Ahlers at quarterback will exponentially boost the Pirates’ offense, which ranked No. 112 in rushing offense last season. Ahlers had back-to-back 400-yard passing games in ECU’s most difficult conference matchups last season as a freshman before he got injured in a loss to Cincinnati and missed the N.C. State game.
Doeren has lost two games in September in the past four years. One was at ECU in 2016 (the other was in the 2017 opener against South Carolina). The Pirates had won four of six in the series before last year’s blowout.
WESTERN CAROLINA
Date: Sept. 7
Time: 12:30 p.m. TV: Fox Sports Carolinas
Series: N.C. State leads 6-0 (last meeting: 48-7 win, 2010, Raleigh)
N.C. State faced one of the top teams from the Football Championship Subdivision last year in James Madison. Western Carolina, coming off of a 4-8 season, does not fit into that category. The Catamounts went 1-7 in the Southern Conference a year ago and provided UNC with half of its win total.
One thing WCU has going for it, coach Mark Speir is not in his first season. Five of the Wolfpack’s opponents are breaking in a different coach than from 2018.
Going back to 1987, N.C. State has won 31 straight over Division I-AA (or FCS) opponents. The Catamounts have never beaten a Division I-A opponent (0-55).
AT WEST VIRGINIA
Date: Sept. 14
Time: noon. TV: FS1
Series: tied at 5-5 (last meeting: 23-7 win, 2010, Orlando, Fla.)
These two teams were supposed to meet in Raleigh last year. The game was canceled because of Hurricane Florence.
That was too bad. We were deprived of a matchup between two high-powered offenses, with NFL quality quarterbacks, and matching vulnerable defenses.
It would have been the personification of the pointing Spider-Man meme. This year’s version has the same potential in the sense that both programs in a similar space.
The Mountaineers, coming off of an 8-4 season, are in a “reset” phase, albeit with a new coach. Dana Holgorsen decided after eight years with the Mountaineers to jump to Houston, instead of potentially heading down a doomed path at WVU.
Neal Brown, who won 31 games at Troy the past three years, takes over without quarterback Will Grier or six other starters on offense.
Doesn’t matter who the coach is, though, the Mountaineers have always been tough at home. They haven’t lost a non-conference home game since 2011, when they were beat by then No. 2 LSU.
BALL STATE
Date: Sept. 21
Time: TBA TV: TBA
Series: First meeting.
Doeren’s N.C. State teams are 20-2 against teams outside the “Power 5” conferences and both of those losses were to ECU (in 2013 and ‘16).
Doeren, who was the coach at Northern Illinois before he was hired by N.C. State in 2012, also happens to have an outstanding record against Mid-American Conference opponents (18-1).
Ball State, led by former Carolina Cobras (of the old Arena Football League) coach Mike Neu, went 4-8 last year and finished 3-5 in the MAC.
The Cardinals put up a fight at Notre Dame last year (a 24-16 loss) but ranked No. 120 in rush defense last year. This could be a good chance for sophomore Ricky Person and N.C. State’s young running backs to get some confidence.
AT FLORIDA STATE
Date: Sept. 28
Time: TBA. TV: TBA
Series: FSU leads 26-13 (last meeting: 47-28 win, 2018, Raleigh)
In this Nov. 3, 2018, file photo. Florida State’s James Blackman (1) looks to pass during the first half of the team’s NCAA college football game against North Carolina State in Raleigh, N.C. News & Observer file photo
N.C. State has won the past two matchups with the Seminoles. Doeren also has a 2-0 record against FSU coach Willie Taggart (State beat Taggart at South Florida in 2014).
The Seminoles were a mess last year offensively with one of the worst lines among Power 5 teams. Assistant coach Kendal Briles was brought in to fix the offense.
The Noles, coming off of their first losing season since 1976, will be tested early in September. They open with Boise State and go to Coastal Division favorite Virginia on Sept. 14.
Quarterback James Blackman threw for 421 yards against N.C. State’s defense last year. It was one of the few brights spots for FSU in Taggart’s first season.
SYRACUSE
Date: Oct. 10
Time: 8 p.m. TV: ESPN
Series: N.C. State leads 10-2 (last meeting: 51-41 loss, 2018, Syracuse, N.Y.)
N.C. State could not stop Syracuse’s offense last year. Then senior Eric Dungey threw for 411 yardsand three touchdowns. He also ran for a score.
Dungey is gone but the Orange, ranked No. 22 in the preseason coaches’ poll, are hoping redshirt sophomore Tommy DeVito can keep the offense rolling.
Dino Babers’ club ranked No. 11 in the the country in scoring (40.2 points per game) last year. You add in the defensive improvement and voila! you have the program’s first 10-win season since 2001.
The offense will have to adjust without Dungey’s running ability (he ran for 15 TDs last year) but the defensive line is the best in the ACC this side of Clemson.
It should help the Wolfpack that this one is scheduled for a Thursday night kick.
As one ACC coach told Athlon: “That place is hell when you’re coming in on a Thursday night. It’s one of the loudest stadiums in our league.”
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https://www.tribdem.com/sports/amanda-filipcic-godsey-pitt-football-a-take-on-panthers-schedule/article_3c81c38a-bd4b-11e9-93cc-43e3b361d49b.html (tribdem.com; Filipcic-Godsey)
Pitt was recently picked to finish fourth in the ACC Coastal Division in 2019, despite winning the division last year. The Panthers finished the season 7-7, with four of their losses coming to top 20 teams.
The addition of offensive coordinator Mark Whipple should improve Pitt’s offense and inject life into a passing game that struggled throughout 2018. Pitt’s defense should be solid in 2019, but will have to adjust without injured defensive lineman Rashad Weaver.
Since Pitt joined the ACC in 2013, the Coastal Division has crowned a different champion every year. The division remains wide open and Pitt will again be a contender.
Here’s a game-by-game breakdown of Pitt’s season, in which I have the Panthers going 8-4.
Aug. 31 vs. Virginia: Pitt opens the season at home against Coastal Division favorite Virginia. The Cavaliers return a stout defense and dynamic quarterback Bryce Perkins. The Panthers have home-field advantage and will be debuting their new offense. Pitt may also have a chip on its shoulder after being picked to finish fourth in the division following its first Coastal Division crown a year ago. Pitt will win a close one over Virginia to open ACC play 1-0.
Sept. 7 vs. Ohio: Sandwiched between division opponent Virginia and rival Penn State, Ohio could be a tricky game for Pitt. The Bobcats were 9-4 last year and finished second in the Mid-American Conference East Division. Quarterback Nathan Rourke, a true dual-threat, threw for 23 touchdowns and added 15 more on the ground. Despite a potent offense, the Bobcats fell to Virginia, their lone Power 5 opponent last year. Pitt will win this one at home.
Sept. 14 at Penn State: Pitt travels to State College to face Penn State for the 100th time. It is the last scheduled meeting between the two schools. The Nittany Lions will be breaking in a new quarterback, but their tough defense from last season may be even better this year. It’s certain neither team has forgotten the 51-6 blowout by Penn State at a soggy Heinz Field last season. Pitt will put up a tougher fight this year, but Penn State’s defense will keep Pitt in check and the Panthers will lose their first game.
Sept. 21 vs. Central Florida: The Knights will have a new quarterback this season, as Notre Dame transfer Brandon Wimbush takes over for star quarterback McKenzie Milton. Wimbush is a mobile quarterback and has starting experience. The offense will return eight starters, including running backs Greg McRae and Adrian Killins. Central Florida’s offensive firepower will be too much for the Panthers and Pitt will lose its second straight game.
Sept. 28 vs. Delaware: The Blue Hens finished third in the Colonial Athletic Association last season. These two teams last met in the opening game of 2014, when Pitt dominated Delaware and won 62-0. The Panthers haven’t lost to an FCS team since losing to Youngstown State in 2012, and they’ll beat Delaware to get back over .500.
Oct. 5 at Duke: The David Cutcliffe-led Blue Devils will have a new quarterback this season in dual-threat Quentin Harris. Pitt will have to keep both Harris and running back Deon Jackson in check. Jackson posted 403 all-purpose yards against the Panthers last season. The Panthers have not lost in Durham since 1965. That streak will be kept alive as Pitt takes another high-scoring matchup.
Oct. 18 at Syracuse: Pitt comes off a bye week and heads to the Carrier Dome for a Friday night matchup with Syracuse. The Orange’s up tempo offense will have a new signal caller this season in sophomore Tommy DeVito. DeVito may be a better passer than previous quarterback Eric Dungey, but is unlikely to match Dungey’s production on the ground. Pitt’s defense should give the team an edge against the Orange. The Panthers have won five of the last six matchups, and they should win a close one on the road.
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Best Games of All Time (per SI) (RX; HM)
Best Games of All Time (per SI)
In honor of the 150th anniversary of the the first college football game, Sports Illustrated has put together its list of "The Greatest Games in College Football History" in which 5 of the top 10 (half!) involve at least one current ACC member school (4 if you don't count Notre Dame). Without further ado then, here they are...
9. Miami at Notre Dame: “Catholics vs. Convicts" Oct. 15, 1988
Lou Holtz’s pregame speech said it all. "You have an afternoon to play, a lifetime to remember. But I want you to do one thing: You save Jimmy Johnson's ass for me!" Miami came into South Bend winners of its last 36 regular season games, but the Hurricanes couldn’t get out of their own way that day, turning the ball over seven times. Still, Miami had a chance to win, getting within one point with 45 seconds to go. But the ‘Canes’ two-point pass attempt was knocked down by Pat Terrell, sealing a 31–30 Irish victory. Notre Dame went on to win its eighth national championship.
8. Boston College at Miami: “Hail Flutie" Nov. 23, 1984
On a muddy night in South Florida, Boston College came to town with Heisman contender Doug Flutie. The teams combined for 30 points in the fourth quarter, the last coming on a 48-yard heave on the game’s last play that Flutie dubbed "55 Flood Tip." The last of the QB’s 472 yards ended up in the hands of wideout Gerard Phelan, who somehow no Hurricane defender had paid attention to, and he delivered a 47–45 win. Many forget that in the Hurricanes’ previous game, they blew a 31–0 halftime lead to Maryland and lost 42–40 in the NCAA’s biggest comeback in history to that date.
6. Clemson vs. Alabama 2017 CFP National Championship
Seeking revenge for a national title loss to the Tide the year before, Deshaun Watson would not be denied. The game featured three lead changes in the final four minutes, and ended in thrilling fashion. After Alabama QB Jalen Hurts’s stunning 30-yard score, Clemson got the ball back with 2:07 left with a chance to make history. Watson completed six plays on the final 68-yard drive, finding Hunter Renfrow from two yards out with a second left to give Clemson a 35–31 win for its first national title since 1981.
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https://accfootballrx.blogspot.com/2019/08/2019-preseason-cfp-hype-video.html (RX; HM)
2019 Preseason CFP Hype Video
Time for another hype video!
Of course Clemson is featured, but I definitely also spotted Notre Dame, Virginia Tech, Florida State, and Miami, and I even caught a couple of glimpses of Syracuse and one of Pitt, too.It's almost time for the return of college football...#CFBPlayoff
— College Football Playoff (@CFBPlayoff) August 8, 2019
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https://accfootballrx.blogspot.com/2019/08/more-2019-season-simulations.html (RX; HM)
More 2019 Season Simulations
Here are some more NCAA Football 20 LIVE Simulations...
If the computers are right, week one should be a real DOOZY!
Boise State 26 @ Florida State 23
Notre Dame 32 @ Louisville 29
Notre Dame @ Louisville - NCAA Football 20 LIVE Simulation - 9-2-19 (NCAA 14 w/ updated rosters)
So here's the thing: in both game simulations, the ACC team loses by 3 points with just :03 seconds to play - talk about snake-bitten! So exciting... but losses nonetheless.
__________
You may remember that the SG1 computer simulation of the Atlantic Division teams showed Clemson going 8-0 in the ACC, 11-1 overall (the only loss being at South Carolina Gamecocks, in 4 overtimes). That means the Tigers would be in the ACC CG - but who would they play?
Look no further than...
2019 Virginia Tech
Season (Simulation)
Virginia Tech 2019 Season Simulation - NCAA Football 20 (NCAA 14 with Updated Rosters)
SPOILER: If you want to know before you watch, the simulation has the Hokies finishing 8-0 in the ACC, 11-1 overall (the only loss at Notre Dame). So the computer is projecting a Clemson/Va Tech championship game, both teams 11-1, probably both highly-ranked. As a Hokie, I can live with that... I don't think too many Clemson fans want to even contemplate losing to the Gamecocks, however!...
https://www.thekeyplay.com/content/2019/august/12/projecting-acc-football-standings (thekeyplay.com; dcvt13)
I had been drafting up this post for awhile but wanted to wait for the Tavien Feaster and Brock Hoffman news before putting it up for discussion. Who knows when the NCAA will get his appeal at the bottom of their list (they literally just gave immediate eligibility to the 3rd string FSU QB today), so I thought it's not worth waiting although he would be a big boost to the O-Line. I was of the camp that thought Feaster would add at least a game to the win total if not more but hope King can give us that game-breaking playmaking we so desperately need at RB.
My 2019 standings for the ACC are:
Coastal:
Miami- 10-2 (Losses to Florida and Pitt)
Virginia Tech 10-2 (Losses to Miami, ND)
UVA- 8-4 (Losses to FSU, ND, Miami, and VT)
Pitt 6-6
UNC 4-8
Duke 4-8
GT 2-10
Atlantic:
Clemson 12-0
FSU 9-3 (Losses to Boise, Florida, and Clemson)
Syracuse 9-3 (Losses to Clemson, Wake, and FSU)
NC State 8-4
Wake Forest 7-5
BC 6-6
Louisville 2-10
My game by game predictions for the Hokies:
BC: W- I know last year was a debacle but BC has lost so much on defensive and O-Line that I think they aren't going to be able to stop our offense. Just contain AJ Dillon and harass Brown, Fuente knows how to get the guys up for openers.
ODU W- Payback.
Furman W- It's Furman.
Duke W- They don't have firepower nor the defensive front 7 to compete with our offense.
Miami L- Gone back and forth on this one with them breaking in Jarren Williams. I think its our turn to win one but they have a very talented defense that will give Willis fits if he tries to play hero ball. Lose by 6.
Rhode Island- W- It's Rhode Island
UNC W- I think it will be another close win but hopefully a little less heartburn-inducing.
Notre Dame- L- Thought we had them early but unraveled last year. Think we play them well into 4th this year but one or two plays don't break our way and we lose by a score.
Wake Forest- W- They have some good pieces but don't think the overall talent level to go 4Q.
GT W- Chinballs are gone and think we can hopefully win the next couple before they get more familiar with the new system.
Pitt- W- This will be pride game on Senior Night. We got the crap kicked out of us last year and they don't have the same running talent or O-Line. A tight but big last Lane adieu for the master of the LunchPail D.
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Other
Butterfield's Cafe in Upstate NY is a one-of-a-kind slice of Americana (PS; D'Imperio)
No, it is not a mirage!
Tucked away on a side street in tiny Deposit, New York is one of the most charming and quaint restaurants you will find in Upstate New York. Butterfield’s Café is the dream of George Merich, an architectural lighting designer by trade. While renovating another property in the village, George would pass by the dilapidated and forlorn building each morning and think of the possibilities that the structure offered.
It was flood-damaged and ready to be torn down when George bought it with the dream to create a homey, comfy and sentimental slice of Americana right here in Delaware County.
The building, which was a former butcher shop and general store for more than a century, sat empty for years. Today, Butterfield’s Café draws customers and admirers from as far away as Binghamton, a college city more than a half hour away.
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