Our Week 4 opponent, Boston College, had the week off and is still a team shrouded in mystery leading up to our match-up this weekend. The Eagles struggled offensively against Kent State, but they usually fare well when given extra time to prepare.
Meanwhile, we got a pretty good look at our Week 5 opponent, NC State. The more Russell Wilson plays, the better he looks. If he's still rolling going into our match-up in Raleigh, it could be a long day for our young players at linebacker and in the secondary.
Also, Georgia Tech and North Carolina played each other, so we got a good look at what both teams will have to offer in November.
Sept. 6 vs. Boise State (2-0, 0-0 WAC)
Week 3: Boise State 51, Wyoming 6
Week 4: vs. Oregon State
OBNUG: Boise State blows out Wyoming
Cowboy Altitude: Broncos' speed impressive
Sept. 11 vs. James Madison (2-0, 0-0 CAA)
Week 3: Bye
Week 4: vs. Liberty
JMU Sports Blog: Back to life, back to reality
Sept. 25 at Boston College
Week 3: Bye
Week 4: vs. Virginia Tech
After struggling with inconsistency in Week 2 against Kent State, the Eagles have an extra week to get right before hosting the Hokies. According to BCI, that's usually a good thing for them.
BC Interruption: Bye week has been kind to the Eagles
Eagle in Atlanta: Where is the Wildcat?
Oct. 2 at NC State
Week 3: NC State 30, Cincinnati 19
Week 4: at Georgia Tech
So much for Russell Wilson being rusty. The Pack QB completed 26 of 40 attempts for 333 yards and three touchdowns and ran for another 33 yards in State's evisceration of a slow Cincy squad.
The game was sloppy and saw 12 punts and nine fumbles, but Wilson looked good, especially in the first half. He marched the Pack down the field on consecutive 93-yard touchdown drives in the first quarter and never looked back.
The Pack defense looked confident as they led 30-7 and one point and never the Cincy offense get comfortable. Its QB, Zach Collaros, was sacked five times and didn't get the Bearcats on the board until three minutes left in the first half. Cincy finished with 75 yards rushing, thanks to a 22-yard run by Collaros. Its two main running backs combined for 43 yards on nine carries.
Tech will need to pressure Wilson and get its ground game going to take pressure of Tyrod Taylor if it wants to win in Raleigh. The task will be even tougher if the NC State crowd is as frenzied as it was for Thursday night's game.
Backing the Pack: A mundane affair for Wolfpack
Riddick and Reynolds: Pack looked fresh and inspired
Oct. 9 vs. Central Michigan
Week 3: Central Michigan 52, Eastern Michigan 14
Week 4: at Northwestern
The Chippewas destroyed an out-manned EMU squad, rolling up 254 yards passing and 269 yards rushing. This was the confidence boost CMU's offense needed before facing its first BCS team of the season, Northwestern. That game will be on the Big Ten Network, so Hokie fans lucky enough to get it (not me) will get a chance to scout the Chips against the unbeaten (huh?) Wildcats.
One thing that should be concern for CMU is that EMU's two quarterbacks were able to throw for 282 yards. The Chip pass-rush, which looked good against Temple, managed only one sack while the Eagles threw the ball 44 times.
Fire Up Chips: Offense takes two steps forward
FireUpChips.org: QB looking more comfortable
Oct. 16 vs. Wake Forest
Week 3: Stanford 68, Wake Forest 24
Week 4: at Florida State
Wake Forest has no defense. None. It's offense, however, can occasionally move the ball, but not with any consistency.
Blogger So Dear: Nothing good about Wake's D
Various Provocations: As dominant as Stanford's ever been
Oct. 23 vs. Duke
Week 3: Alabama 62, Duke 13
Week 4: vs. Army
See above. Replace "Wake Forest" with "Duke."
Duke Basketball Report: Program has long way to go
Blue Devil Nation: Freshman RB breaks out
Roll Bama Roll: Tide pass rush anemic against Duke
Nov. 4 vs. Georgia Tech
Week 3: Georgia Tech 30, North Carolina 24
Week 4: vs. NC State
Early on it looked like this game would be a shootout as Georgia Tech and North Carolina combined to score on all six first-half drives. The tide turned when Georgia Tech went on an epic drive that consumed the final 10:32 of the first half and ended with a field goal to tie the game at 17.
The Jackets then made key defensive adjustments at halftime. They gave up a touchdown after the offense fumbled to open the first half, then kept the Tar Heels off the scoreboard the rest of the way.
The Jackest are at their best when they get production from all their position and they got that on Saturday. QB Joshua Nesbitt, B-Back Anthony Allen and the combined efforts of the A-Backs all produced over 100 yards for the offense. The Jackets punted only once and had only one three-and-out on a drive where they failed to convert on fourth down.
From the Rumble Seat: Jackets lack key players at key positions
Barrel of Rum: Perimeter blocking improves
Nov. 13 at North Carolina
Week 3: Georgia Tech 30, North Carolina 24
Week 4: at Rutgers
T.J. Yates continued to impress with the way he's grown as a quarterback, completing 18 of 24 passes for 209 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions. Right now it doesn't look like Yates can beat teams single-handedly, but the guy will not lose any games for the Tar Heels this year.
The surprise was the emergence of running back Johnny White, who averaged 6.6 yards per carry on his way to 113 yards and a touchdown. We'll have a few chances to see if this was just a product of Georgia Tech's run defense later this season. UNC still has to face solid defenses against Clemson, Miami and Florida State before they play the Hokies.
It was a slow burn for the Tar Heel defense, which could never get off the field against the Yellow Jacket D. Even with the losses due to suspension, UNC has a good D, it just has no depth. If you can run on them and wear them down, you'll be in business.
Carolina March: A lot of what-ifs for UNC
Tar Heel Fan: Too much asked of Yates
Nov. 20 at Miami
Week 3: Bye
Week 4: at Pittsburgh (Sept. 23)
The 7th Floor: Jacory exits Twitter with style
Eye of the Hurricane: Pitt offensive preview
All Canes: Time for Jacory to turn it around
Canespace: Fans have right to criticize Canes
Nov. 27 vs. Virginia
Week 3: Bye
Week 4: vs. VMI
From Old Virginia: Hoo fans shouldn't act like Sparty
Dear Old UVa: Offensive line stepping up