Week Two Bowl Projection
Mark Schlabach (ESPN) – Virginia Tech vs. UCF
Brad Edwards (ESPN) – Miami vs. UCF
Scout.com/CollegeFootballNews.com – Miami vs. Rutgers
Jerry Palm – Miami vs. Cincinnati
ESPN ACC Blog – Georgia Tech
SBNation – UNC vs. Rutgers
Rutgers and UCF lead the way with two projections each out of the American. Rutgers returned to the projections with a convincing 38-0 win over Norfolk State a week after dropping a thriller, 52-51, at Fresno State in overtime. The Scarlet Knights host Eastern Michigan at 1:00 pm on Saturday. UCF won their second straight weekday game to remain a favorite to stay home in Orlando. The Knights have their toughest stretch of the season ahead of them with trips to Penn State and No. 7 Louisville, as well as a home game against No. 13 South Carolina in the next four games. That stretch kicks off this Saturday when the travel to Happy Valley to take on the 2-0 Nittany Lions.
Cincinnati fell from all but one of the projections after being the clear favorite last week. The Bearcats dropped a 45-17 decision at Illinois despite gaining 456 yards of total offense. Cincinnati returns to action this Saturday when they host FCS foe, Northwestern State.
Miami remains the favorite out of the ACC for the Russell Athletic Bowl with three other teams appearing in one projection each. The Hurricanes, who appear in three projections, knocked off No. 12 Florida, 21-16, Saturday for their first win against the Gators since the 2004 Peach Bowl. Miami hosts FCS foe Savannah State on Saturday.
Virginia Tech remains as Mark Schlabach’s pick while being dropped from Scout.com’s projection. The Hokies are coming off a 45-3 win over Western Carolina. Virginia Tech outgained Western Carolina by 300 yards and limited them to just eight first downs. The Hokies take the road this weekend to take on the Pirates of East Carolina.
Georgia Tech remains ESPN’s ACC Blog’s pick for the Russell Athletic Bowl. The Yellow Jackets were off this weekend before they open up ACC play with a trip to 2-0 Duke on Saturday. UNC is the only other team to appear in a projection as they take Florida State’s spot in SB Nation’s picks. The Tar Heels returned to .500 with a 40-20 win over Middle Tennessee State. UNC has an off week before taking the road to face ACC rival Georgia Tech.