Jenn Sterger picks ACC games vs. Times

Jenn Sterger, a Gaither High grad, is more than just a world-famous Florida State football fan. She knows her college football and, despite a hectic schedule working with the New York Jets, she'll be out to dazzle you that knowledge. She'll pick the ACC games each week against the Times' longtime Seminoles' beat writer, Brian Landman. No money is at stake, of course. (I can't afford it.) It's merely for fun. Okay. Maybe bragging rights are on the line, too. So here we go with Week 1, starting with tonight's games.

(Photo: Jenn Sterger, right, pictured at an FSU game. Handout photo)

Thursday's schedule:
Jacksonville State at Georgia Tech
Jenn: 21-7 .. I think this will be an easy one in the books for Johnson, but I don't think at week one that any offense will really have their (stuff) together enough to pull off a 28-point spread.
Brian: The Yellow Jackets probably will have some miscues running coach Paul Johnson's option attack and Jacksonville State QB Ryan Perrilloux (LSU) will put up some points, but not enough. Tech wins.

Charleston Southern at Miami
Jenn: With seven starters, including their quarterback riding the pine pony, Miami still can't seem to keep their off-field behavior from affecting their on-field eligibility. Miami will still win ... but I down know if it will be by much. They have thrown away easier games. They'll win, but it won't be like the old days. And certainly won't be pretty. 17-7 Miami.
Brian: No reason to think the 'Canes won't win this one riding the legs of backs Javarris James and Graig Cooper in their debut in their new home, Dolphin Stadium. The score could be one-sided if freshman QB Jacory Harris makes a few plays and doesn't make a few mistakes. Miami 28-0.

North Carolina State at South Carolina
Jenn: South Carolina runs away with this one. It wins by at least 14. Coach Steve Spurrier has a half way decent crew if everyone can stay eligible. And N.C. State is still pretty dismal coming off of 2007.
Brian: South Carolina lost its last five games (albeit against the tougher part of its schedule) last season and Spurrier made sweeping changes. A new D coordinator, Ellis Johnson, and a new playcaller, his son Steve Jr. N.C. State lost its last two to keep it out of a bowl and Coach Tom O'Brien is turning to redshirt freshman QB Russell Wilson to kickstart the offense. South Carolina wins.

No. 23 Wake Forest at Baylor
Jenn: If Wake Forest doesn't pummel these guys, I don't know who will. Wake is still trying to prove its the real deal from the last two seasons. Expect the Demon Deacons to show up, and the Bears to be de-clawed.
Brian: I am sold on Wake being the real deal. Jim Grobe might be the best coach around. Arguments? Anyone? QB Kirby Freeman wasn't the answer at Miami and no reason to think he'll suddenly be Jim Kelly at Baylor.

Saturday, Aug. 30
No. 17 Virginia Tech vs. East Carolina (in Charlotte)
Jenn: Even though the game isn't in Blacksburg, I still think this game goes to Tech. East Carolina really still has not established itself, even in the spoiler category. Tech by 10.
Brian: Senior QB Sean Glennon won the Hokies job, again, and all eyes will be on him. Tech fans should be watching how the defense and special teams play. If the D remains strong and the special teams is more reminiscent of a Frank Beamer-coached unit, then this one should be easy for Tech.

No. 3 USC at Virginia
Jenn: USC should win this pretty handily. Virginia isn't half the threat it was last year, losing a lot of its bigger names in the draft. USC by 20. Won't even be close.
Brian: I preface this with the full-disclosure that I'm a USC alumni. ... USC wins impressively, perhaps not in a shutout with USC having a eye on its Sept. 13 game against Ohio State.

Delaware at Maryland
Jenn: David versus Goliath, only different outcome. There are games so predictable, even Vegas doesn't have lines. This is one of them. Maryland by 17. Easily.
Brian: Not so fast. If Delaware gets solid QB play (Joe Flacco took his game to the NFL), the Blue Hens, last year's Division I-AA runner-ups might just keep this one close and maybe pull the upset.

McNeese State at North Carolina
Jenn: Don't let the baby blue fool you. I think Butch Davis will have a half way decent squad this year. McNeese will give them a run for their money, but UNC wil pull ahead in the second half as McNeese runs out of gas.
Brian: I'm on record as saying UNC will enjoy a major turnaround and end up win the Coastal Division. Anything short of a convincing win here won't make that prediction seem particularly astute.

James Madison at Duke
Jenn: I would like to say Duke, only because the Blue Devils gotta win sooner or later. If they are gonna win a game on their schedule, this is it. If not, well ... at least they can still say they got their degree from Duke.
Brian: I am eager to see how far QB Thaddeus Lewis has come under new coach David Cutcliffe, who has likened Lewis to one of his former Tennessee pupils, Tee Martin. And yes, I'd like to see Duke match its 2007 win total in Week 1.

Boston College at Kent State
Jenn: BC should win this … even with a first-year starting quarterback … err.. two first-year quarterbacks. BC by 7.
Brian: I agree with you on this one, right down to the winning margin. To me, the players to watch aren't just under center for B.C., they're on the other side, DT B.J. Raji and LB Brian Toal. Both are top-shelf talents who were out injured last season.

No. 24 Alabama vs. No. 9 Clemson (in Atlanta)
Jenn: It's still early in the season and Nick Saban has a way of pulling big games out of ... well, you know where. I'd like to say Clemson, but since it's in Atlanta, no team really has the home-field advantage. Still going with Clemson on this one only because it has a fierce running game. Clemson by 3.
Brian: If not now for coach Tommy Bowden, when? He's loaded at the skill positions on offense and those guys need to live up to their hype. I also like that the Tigers opened on a big stage last year against FSU and won, although by six points. I think you'll see the same margin against the crimson Tide.