Bowl predictions

[Ken D]

How will ACC teams perform this year in the bowl games? Our track record in the past has been spotty if not downright embarrassing. Will we enhance or hurt the league's reputation this year?

We have 11 out of 14 teams going to bowls. That is both the most teams and the highest percentage of teams for any conference. We have a chance to get some recruiting help if we perform. But based on the Sagarin strength rankings, we would only have the ACC team favored in 3 of our 11 matchups (Florida State, Georgia Tech and Carolina). It will be interesting to see how this compares with the Vegas lines as they become available. So far, only the FSU-Auburn line has been listed, with FSU established as the early favorite by 8.5 points (Sagarin would say 13 points).

How do you think the league will do?

[Tizu]

Well, I hope they do well, but I fear we will only have a few wins. FSU isn't even a lock in my opinion. It's all up in the air for me.

[Ken D]

Sagarin isn't far off the early Vegas line. The only swing game is Georgia Tech, in which Sagarin has the Jackets favored by 4 and Vegas has Ole Miss up by 3.

Other anomalies include BC, where Vegas has them only a 7 pt dog (Sagarin says 13 pts), Duke at 11.5 Vegas vs 8 Sagarin, and Florida State (8.5 Vegas vs 13 Sagarin).

None of these are terribly surprising, and reflect the fact that Vegas takes betting psychology into account and Sagarin doesn't. In Tech's case, it may also reflect the historical pattern where they don't do as well when teams have extra time to prepare for their quirky offense.

[Tizu]

I think Duke can win their game...honestly. A&M's defense isn't that great so that may open up some big gains for Duke. On the other hand, you have Johnny Football, who is masterful at the QB position and he'll be a tough out...if Duke can put a lot of pressure on him and the receivers...I think Duke has a very good chance of winning.

Should be fun.

[animus]

Gotta say that we're doing good so far... Just gotta keep it up. That GT v Ole Miss game tomorrow will be a great game.