The Confidential

The ACC Sports Blog

Archive for the category “Preview”

25 Sep 2015
3 Comments

How Can SU Give LSU an L?

If you are a sane, objective follower of football, you have little doubt that Louisiana State University (affectionately known as L.S.U.) will defeat Syracuse University (known as S.U.), giving Syracuse the “L.”  Even insane or passionate fans and bloggers are realistic enough to think that Syracuse will not win.  Sure, Syracuse can win–especially under the “any given Saturday” logic and our knowledge of historical upsets from Appalachian State to, well, Syracuse’s upset of then #1 Nebraska in 1984.  The bigger question is not whether Syracuse can do the nearly impossible, it is how Syracuse can do the nearly impossible.

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Posted by acaffrey in Opinion, Preview, Syracuse correspondent and tagged , , ,
21 Sep 2015
14 Comments

(Still Time to Join!) Confidential Fantasy Football Game: Week 4 Entry Page

Even if you missed out on Weeks 1 through 3, the Confidential’s Fantasy Football Game is still joinable in Week 4.  Fortunately, there has been enough mediocrity to keep you in the mix.  But this is probably the last week.  As those who entered know, the game is free and simple… just pick your team.  See rules.  Here is the recap of Week 3 and the standings.  Looks like some familiar names at the top of the standings.

To enter, just comment with your entry for Week 4.

You are allowed one free roster change each week.  For each other change, there is a loss of one point in this week’s scoring…. a maximum of 5 point deduction.  At the same time, there is a potential 5 point bonus for having roster diversity.  If you want the same roster as last week, just do nothing.  If you want to change your roster or join anew, just comment below.

RETURNING ENTRANTS, PLEASE KINDLY POST BOTH LAST WEEK’S ROSTER AND YOUR ROSTER FOR THIS WEEK!  IT WILL BE GREATLY HELPFUL!

ENTRY DEADLINE 7:59 P.M. on FRIDAY SEPT. 25

Good luck to all!

Posted by acaffrey in ACC Fantasy Football, Preview and tagged , , , ,
14 Sep 2015
10 Comments

(Still Time to Join!) Confidential Fantasy Football Game: Week 3 Entry Page

Even if you missed out on Weeks 1 and 2, the Confidential’s Fantasy Football Game is still joinable in Week 3.  Probably not a good idea to wait too much longer.  As those who entered know, the game is free and simple… just pick your team.  See rules.  Here is the recap of Week 2 and the standings.

To enter, just comment with your entry for Week 3.

You are allowed one free roster change each week.  For each other change, there is a loss of one point in this week’s scoring…. a maximum of 5 point deduction.  At the same time, there is a potential 5 point bonus for having roster diversity.  If you want the same roster as last week, just do nothing.  If you want to change your roster or join anew, just comment below.

RETURNING ENTRANTS, PLEASE KINDLY POST BOTH LAST WEEK’S ROSTER AND YOUR ROSTER FOR THIS WEEK!  IT WILL BE GREATLY HELPFUL!

ENTRY DEADLINE 7:59 P.M. on THURSDAY SEPT. 17

Good luck to all!

Posted by acaffrey in ACC Fantasy Football, Preview and tagged , , , ,
08 Sep 2015
9 Comments

(Still Time to Join!) Confidential Fantasy Football Game: Week 2 Entry Page

Even if you missed out on Week 1, the Confidential’s Fantasy Football Game is still joinable in Week 2.  Probably not a good idea too much longer.  As those who entered know, the game is free and simple… just pick your team.  See rules.  Here is the recap of Week 1 and the standings.

To enter, just comment with your entry for Week 2.

For all those who entered in Week 1, you are allowed one free roster change from Week 1.  For each other change, there is a loss of one point in this week’s scoring…. a maximum of 5 point deduction.  At the same time, there is a potential 5 point bonus for having roster diversity.  If you want the same roster as Week 1, just do nothing.  If you want to change your week 1 roster or join anew, just comment below.

ENTRY DEADLINE 7:59 P.M. on FRIDAY SEPT. 11

Good luck to all!

Posted by acaffrey in ACC Fantasy Football, Preview and tagged , , , ,
02 Sep 2015

Belk Kickoff Classic – Watch for a Carolina Victory

Just days away from what should be an exciting game in Charlotte between North Carolina and South Carolina, it’s time to preview the two teams and pick a winner.

In one of the more intriguing matchups coming Thursday night, a high powered Tar Heel offense and questionable defense meet a questionable offense and below average defense in the Gamecocks. So we’ll divide the two teams up by these two lines (and these two alone) and predict a winner.

Battle Fronts (stats from 2014 via ncaa.com)

North Carolina offense – 35th in the nation with 55 touchdowns and 429.8 yards per game.
Returns one of the most underrated dual-threat QBs in the nation in Marquise Williams.

South Carolina defense – 92nd in the nation allowing 432.7 yards per game.
Returns 8 starters

North Carolina defense – ranked 117th in the nation allowing 497.8 yards per game
New scheme under first year DC Gene Chizik

South Carolina offense – ranked 33rd in the nation with 51 touchdowns and 443.4 yards per game
Returns 5 starters and will begin with a new QB.

Expect South Carolina to improve on their defensive numbers from last year having returned 8 starters from the defensive line. Expect North Carolina to improve from their offensive numbers from last year having returned essentially an entire offensive line headlined by dual-threat QB Marquise Williams. Expect South Carolina offense to be about average in this game and/or slightly off their averages from last year given the new QB and questionable North Carolina defense. Expect North Carolina to improve slightly from their defensive numbers (or the defense that wasn’t) from a season ago.

Having said that, what happens with this game? North Carolina SHOULD win in a thriller over a new QB even though it will be a homecoming of sorts for the former Wakefield star Conner Mitch. The biggest question mark surrounding the Tar Heels is that defense. You’ve all seen the numbers and graphics from what new DC Chizik has been able to do in his first year at every team he has gone to, and if you have, you know some of us have been saying that ANY defense that isn’t last years’ will put us in position to win some games. This is one of them.

Posted by unc_tarheelfan in ACC only, Preview, UNC Correspondent and tagged , , , ,
27 Aug 2015
1 Comment

ACC Fantasy Football Preview: Wide Receivers

As you know, this will be year 2 of the Confidential’s Individual Player ACC Fantasy Football Game.  See here.  This year, we thought we would do a quick ranking of the top 10 ACC WRs (we include Notre Dame in the game) from a fantasy football perspective:

  1. Tyler Boyd, Pitt.  It is pretty hard to believe that a Panthers team with Conner and Boyd did not dominate opposition last year.  But both top their respective positions heading into 2015.
  2. Will Fuller, Notre Dame.  Fuller had over 1,000 yards receiving last year, along with 13 touchdowns.  Notre Dame will have a good passing game again this year too.
  3. Quinshad Davis, North Carolina.  With the Tar Heels passing for 300 yards a game, someone is going to have to make a lot of receptions for a lot of yards.  The Confidential likes Davis as the #3 ACC Wide Receiver.
  4. Mike Williams, Clemson.  Although Williams had 1,000 yards receiving, Clemson has a lot of talent, including wide receiver Artavis Scott.  This could help or hurt Williams’ overall production.
  5. Artavis Scott, Clemson.  See above.  Deshaun Watson will have a lot of talent to spread the ball too.
  6. Stacey Coley, Miami
  7. Isaiah Ford, Virginia Tech.
  8. Ryan Switzer, North Carolina.
  9. Corey Robinson, Notre Dame.
  10. Travis Rudolph, Florida State.

What do YOU think?

Click here for the QB preview.  Click here for the RB preview.

Posted by acaffrey in ACC Fantasy Football, Preview and tagged , , , , , , , ,
26 Aug 2015
1 Comment

ACC Fantasy Football Preview: Running Backs

As you know, this will be year 2 of the Confidential’s Individual Player ACC Fantasy Football Game.  See here.  This year, we thought we would do a quick ranking of the top 10 ACC RBs (we include Notre Dame in the game) from a fantasy football perspective:

  1. James Conner, Pitt.  Conner was the player of the year in the ACC last year and a fixture in most lineups each week, regardless of opponent.  He is a touchdown machine also.
  2. Dalvin Cook, Florida State.  Assuming that Cook’s legal issues are behind him, Cook will challenge Conner as the top running back in the ACC.
  3. Shadrach Thornton, North Carolina State.  While Thornton did not put up gaudy numbers last year, he remains atop the NC State depth chart.  And NC State, as previously noted, has a cupcake schedule.
  4. Jon Hillman, Boston College.  Boston College seems to have a good offensive line and running game every year.  Hillman should benefit from same this year.
  5. Joseph Yearby, Miami.  With Duke Johnson gone, the baton has been passed to Yearby.  One issue is whether Miami will pass the ball significantly with Kaaya.  With a balanced attack, Yearby becomes a huge “sleeper.”
  6. Wayne Galman, Clemson.
  7. JC Coleman, Virginia Tech.
  8. TJ Logan, North Carolina.
  9. Brandon Radcliff, Louisville.
  10. Someone from Georgia Tech?

What do you think?

Click here for the QB preview.

Posted by acaffrey in ACC Fantasy Football, Preview and tagged , , , , , , , , ,
25 Aug 2015
3 Comments

ACC Fantasy Football Preview: Quarterbacks

As you know, this will be year 2 of the Confidential’s Individual Player ACC Fantasy Football Game.  See here.  This year, we thought we would do a quick ranking of the top 10 ACC QBs (we include ND in the game) from a fantasy football perspective:

  1. Marquise Williams, UNC–3,000 yards passing and nearly 800 yards rushing.  34 touchdowns passing and rushing.  Pretty hard to ignore gaudy numbers like that.  Plus, with a porous defense, he HAS TO put up big numbers.
  2. Deshaun Watson, Clemson–Watson is dynamic.  With a passer rating of 188+ last year, it is clear that Watson can put up outstanding numbers.  There will be tough decisions as to which QB will get the nod each week.  Watson should impress.
  3. Brad Kaaya, Miami–more passing yards than Williams, but no real threat to run the ball.  Will be a good QB to start from time to time, especially with good matchups.
  4. Jacoby Brissett, NC State–Brissett pretty much put up Williams-lite numbers, with 2,600 yards passing and 500 yards rushing.  With the ever-typical cupcake schedule, Brissett will get some starts.
  5. Whomever is tapped at Florida State, FSU.  Seriously… anyone Jimbo Fisher puts under center, be it Maguire or Golson or someone out of the press box,  is a threat for a big day.
  6. Greyson Lambert, Virginia
  7. Michael Brewer, Va Tech
  8. Malik Zaire, Notre Dame
  9. Terrell Hunt, Syracuse
  10. John Wolford, Wake Forest

What do you think?

Posted by acaffrey in ACC Fantasy Football, Preview and tagged , , , , , ,
26 Dec 2014
1 Comment

ACC Bowls–Conference Matchups

As previously noted, this year’s ACC bowl slate is full, with twelve ACC teams playing in games, including Notre Dame and Florida State’s playoff appearance.  But how do these games stack up in terms of conference matchups?  Let’s take a closer look:

Read more…

Posted by acaffrey in ACC only, Bowls, Opinion, Preview and tagged , ,

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