Good Morning America!!!

This morning College Gameday is in Palo Alto, CA also known as the home of the Stanford Cardinals. Tonight they are playing host to the Oregon Ducks from Eugene, OR. Stanford is #4 and Oregon is #7. Here is a preview of college football for the day.


Wake Forest (5-4) at (9) Clemson (8-1)


Saturday, November 12th, 12:00 p.m. (et) The Sports Network
By Scott Haynes, Senior College Football Editor
GAME NOTES: The ninth-ranked Clemson Tigers set out to secure the ACC's Atlantic Division title and subsequent spot in the ACC Championship Game, when they play host to the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in the key conference clash in Death Valley this weekend.
Dabo Swinney's Tigers have had a very successful campaign to this point. The team opened the season with eight straight victories and raced to a 5-0 mark in the ACC before suffering its first loss of the season, a 31-17 setback at Georgia Tech two weeks ago. Clemson was idle this past week and has had two weeks to prepare for what could be a division-clinching contest.
Jim Grobe's Demon Deacons still control their own destiny and are 4-2 in the Atlantic Division, a game behind the Tigers. Wake has been seeking bowl eligibility for a couple of weeks now, but has failed in its bid for a sixth victory on the season, instead dropping back-to-back decisions to North Carolina (49-24) and most recently, Notre Dame (24-17).
Grobe addressed the recent skid.
"We're disappointed, but not down. I think we know that we still have a lot of good things to play for. I think we're very disappointed in the opportunity that we lost Saturday night (against Notre Dame). We had a great chance to beat a really good football team and didn't get it done. So we're not great mentally from the standpoint of being happy about the way that we played the past couple weeks, but at the same time, we know that we can play better and we know we have to this week."
Clemson holds a huge advantage in the all-time series with Wake Forest. The Tigers are now 58-17-1, having won the last two meetings and seven of the last 10 overall.
There is nothing flashy about how Wake Forest conducts its business on the offensive side of the ball. The team is averaging 28.3 ppg this year, fueled by a passing attack that is generating 265.8 yards per game.
Quarterback Tanner Price has played well for the most part, connecting on 61.9 percent of his throws, for 2,154 yards, with 15 TDs against six INTs.
It has helped that veteran wideout Chris Givens has emerged as one of the ACC's best receivers. The senior has hauled in 58 passes this year for 985 yards and eight TDs. He needs just 69 more yards to pass Ricky Proehl (1,053 in 1989) for the school's single-season record.
Coach Swinney is aware of the challenge that Wake's offense presents.
"They do a great job with formations. They know how to create advantages. We have to try to make them one-dimensional. We have to stop the run and play well in space. They're going to get their guys with as much space as possible."
The ground game is not as productive on the year, but both Josh Harris (61.7 ypg, three TDs) and Brandon Pendergrass (46.3 ypg, five TDs) have the ability to move the chains if need be.
The Demon Deacons have had their ups and downs on the defensive side of the ball this year, as they are allowing 27.9 ppg. A lack of big play has certainly been problematic, with Wake amassing just 10 sacks and 13 takeaways in the first nine games.
Senior safety Cyhl Quarles has been the team's most active defender, leading the way with 71 tackles and one fumble recovery. Fellow safety Josh Bush (37 tackles) has also played well in the secondary and is responsible for five INTs thus far.
The Tigers haven't had many problems moving the football up and down the field in 2011. The team is averaging a robust 473.2 yards per game, ripping off huge chunks of real estate on the ground (169.6 ypg) and through the air (303.7 ypg).
It all starts with sophomore QB Tahj Boyd. The young gunslinger is playing at an All-American level, completing 61.3 percent of his passes, for 2,674 yards, with 25 TDs. It helps to have a future All-American on the outside in Sammy Watkins. Perhaps the best freshman in the entire nation, Watkins has already hauled in 63 balls, for 972 yards and 10 TDs.
Tailback Andre Ellington keeps defenses honest with his 93.1 yards rushing per game.
The Clemson defense hasn't been as productive as the offense. The unit has been gashed at times, especially by opponents' ground games at 193.1 yards per game on almost five yards per carry (4.8).
Still, the Tigers possess some serious talent, starting with defensive end Andre Branch. The 6-5, 260-pound senior ranks second on the team in tackles (57), but leads the way in TFLs (12.5) and sacks (8.5).
The Demon Deacons have not won in Death Valley since 1998. The drought is likely to continue, as the Tigers have their sights set on a bigger prize and behind the play of Boyd and company, should be celebrating a division title by the final whistle.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Clemson 37, Wake Forest 20

NC State (5-4) at Boston College (2-7)


The Sports Network
DATE & TIME: Saturday, November 12th, 12:30 p.m. (et)
FACTS & STATS: Site: Alumni Stadium (44,500) -- Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts . Television: ACC Network. Home Record: NC State 4-1, Boston College 1-4. Away Record: NC State 1-3, Boston College 1-3. Neutral Record: NC State 0-0, Boston College 0-0. Conference Record: NC State 2-3, Boston College 1-5. Series Record: Boston College leads, 5-3.
GAME NOTES: NC State will travel north this weekend for an ACC matchup with the Boston College Eagles, who are looking to rebound after being drilled last weekend by Florida State at home.
NC State looked excellent in its 13-0 win over North Carolina last weekend, most notably on defense. The Wolfpack knocked the talented Tar Heels' offense out of rhythm, and in doing so won its third game in four tries and moved to within one win of becoming bowl eligible. NC State faces Clemson and Maryland at home following this weekend's matchup with Boston College.
Boston College lost for the fourth time in five games last weekend against the Seminoles in a 38-7 loss that was marred by turnovers and mistakes. The offense has battled injuries and stagnant play, while the defense continues to struggle to get off the field. The Eagles have a demanding schedule remaining. After hosting NC State this weekend, Boston College will travel to Notre Dame and Miami in successive weeks to close the season.
Boston College leads the all-time series with NC State, 5-3.
With the support of a stout defense, the NC State offense didn't need to be prolific last weekend against North Carolina. Nonetheless, the offense was efficient. The Wolfpack finished with 290 yards, with quarterback Mike Glennon throwing for 164 yards with a touchdown and an interception. All-purpose standout T.J. Graham caught the game's only score in the first half, on a 12- yard dart from Glennon. James Washington was the rock for the offense, rushing for 110 yards on 27 carries.
Glennon is eighth in the ACC in passing efficiency (133.7), and has thrown for 2,011 yards with 20 touchdowns against nine interceptions this season. The offense racks up 338.8 yards per game, and posts 25.8 points per outing. Washington rushes for 70.6 yards per game, and Saturday was his first 100 yard rushing performance in three contests. Graham is third in the country in all- purpose yards per game with 160.5, and leads the team in receiving yards with 60.3 per outing.
NC State's defense made a statement in its domination of North Carolina. The Wolfpack gave up just 165 total yards in the shutout, completely flustering quarterback Bryn Renner, who finished just 9-of-17 for 76 yards and two interceptions. He left the game in the second half due to injury, and his replacement Braden Hanson, didn't fare much better. Hanson finished 7-of-13 for 86 yards and an interception, and the NC State front controlled the line of scrimmage and allowed just three rushing yards to the Tar Heels.
On the year, NC State allows 370.1 yards of total offense and 25.4 points per game, which are both middle of the road marks in the ACC. The Wolfpack do rank fourth in the league in pass efficiency defense (118.7), and generate 2.7 sacks per game, which is third in the league. David Amerson leads the country with nine interceptions, and he had another last weekend against the Tar Heels. Terrell Manning also had a fine game against North Carolina, posting 11 tackles, one sack and three pas breakups.
Boston College will face another hot defense this Saturday, a week after struggling to pick up traction against Florida State. Chase Rettig completed 11-of-18 passes for 76 yards and one touchdown, but it didn't come until well into the third quarter when the Eagles were trailing 28-0. Freshman Josh Bordner also saw time at quarterback, but was largely ineffective, finishing 1-of-2 passing for 37 yards and an interception. Boston College had just 207 yards of total offense and 10 first downs in the loss. Boston College committed four turnovers and five penalties that resulted in a loss of 40 yards.
Rettig has thrown for 1,470 yards and eight touchdowns with eight interceptions this season, and a banged up stable of running backs hasn't exactly given the quarterback stable support. Boston College, which averages just 310 total yards per game, ranks eighth in the AC in rushing with 140.6 yards per outing. Rolandan Finch has emerged as the feature back late in the season, but the Seminoles held him to a mere 68 yards on 28 carries last weekend. Finch had rushed 243 yards the week prior against Maryland. He averages 71 yards per outing, good for seventh in the ACC.
Linebacker Luke Kuechly continues to be the centerpiece of Boston College's defense. Kuechly leads the country in tackles per game with 16.6, and posted 20 against Florida State. It was his 31st straight game with at least 10 tackles or more. Boston College only gave up a modest 307 yards of total offense, but Florida State was able to sustain drives and capitalize on the slew of Eagles' turnovers. The Eagles' defense is 10th in the ACC, allowing 409 yards per game (140.6 rush, 244.2 pass), and have given up 30 or more points in three of its last four games.
NC State's defense has proven to be one of the better units in the ACC, and that's not good news for a Boston College offense that is searching for playmakers right now. The Wolfpack have plenty on their own offense with the likes of Graham and Washington, and NC State should be able to find balance to take down the Eagles at home.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: NC State 27, Boston College 17

Duke (3-6) at Virginia (6-3)


The Sports Network
DATE & TIME: Saturday, November 12th, 3:00 p.m. (et)
FACTS & STATS: Site: Scott Stadium (61,500) -- Charlottesville, Virginia . Television: Raycom Sports. Home Record: Duke 1-5, Virginia 3-2. Away Record: Duke 2-1, Virginia 3-1. Neutral Record: Duke 0-0, Virginia 0-0. Conference Record: Duke 1-4, Virginia 3-2. Series Record: Virginia leads 32-30.
GAME NOTES: The Duke Blue Devils will storm into Charlottesville for an ACC clash with the Virginia Cavaliers, who are on a two-game winning streak.
Duke has lost the last four games, and after losing to Wake Forest by one and Virginia Tech by four in back-to-back weeks, the Blue Devils were beaten by five touchdowns by Miami last week, 49-14. Now the Blue Devils must find a way to win their final three games, starting this weekend against a Virginia team that is playing well at the moment. Duke closes with Georgia Tech and rival North Carolina in the final two weeks of the season.
Virginia has won its last two games, with both victories coming on the road against Miami and Maryland, respectively. The Cavaliers became bowl eligible with a 31-13 thumping of the Terps last weekend, marking the first time since 2007 that the team will make a postseason appearance. It was also the third road win of the season for Virginia, which hasn't pulled that off in four years.
Virginia leads the all-time series with Duke, 32-30, but the Blue Devils have won the last three meetings.
For Duke, Sean Renfree is 10th in the ACC in pass efficiency (123.5), and has thrown for 2,185 yards this season with seven touchdowns against eight interceptions. He completed 19-of-25 passes for 181 yards with one touchdown and one interception last weekend against the Hurricanes. Connor Vernon and Donovan Varner have been the two most consistent wideouts for Renfree all year; Vernon leads the team in both receptions (6.2) and receiving yards (87) per game, while Varner averages 4.5 catches and 55.2 yards per game. Duke ranks 107th in the country in rushing offense, generating just 105.3 yards per game. Juwan Thompson leads the team in rushing at 44.5 yards per outing, but had just seven carries for 28 yards against Miami. Thompson has five rushing touchdowns this season, but has been held scoreless the past three games.
Duke's defense played inspired football two weeks ago in narrow 14-10 loss to Virginia Tech, but the Blue Devils were completely steamrolled by the Hurricane offense last weekend. Duke is 11th in the ACC in both total defense (410.2) and scoring defense (29.7), and the pass defense is last in the conference, surrendering 248.8 yards per game. This isn't a unit that gets a lot of pressure and creates takeaways, as the Blue Devils average just 4.5 tackles for loss per game and have registered seven takeaways this season. Matt Daniels has been a solid leader for Duke all year, and he ranks third in the ACC in tackles per game with 10.3.
Virginia's offense is keyed by a rushing attack that ranks third in the ACC with 190.1 yards per game. Perry Jones accounts for 86.8 yards per game, while Kevin Parks has been a deadly counterpart by contributing 67.2 yards per game. Jones has rushed for 782 yards this season and is closing in on a 1,000-yard rushing campaign quickly, while Parks has gained 538 yards on 104 carries and has scored seven touchdowns thus far.
Although Virginia has been devoted to the run for much of the season, the passing game is still generating 237.5 yards per game, good for sixth in the ACC. Michael Rocco has passed for 1,719 yards and eight touchdowns, but he has thrown nine interceptions. Only two of those picks have come in the past four games, where Rocco has thrown just 49 times combined.
Kris Burd is sixth in the ACC with 5.1 catches per game, and turns in 65.7 yards per outing. He caught nine passes for 112 yards last weekend against Maryland. Receiver Tim Smith also contributed 101 yards receiving against the Terps.
At the center of Virginia's win against Maryland was a three-interception performance from Rodney McLeod, who became the first player to pick off three passes for the program in 15 years. Virginia's defense is playing very well at the moment, as the Cavaliers are fourth in both rushing defense (126.3) and pass defense (205.3), and are 20th in the country in passing efficiency defense (114.2). Virginia also ranks second in the league with 6.7 tackles for loss per outing, and is second in the ACC in third-down defense, allowing a 32.9 conversion rate. Steve Greer leads the team with 8.5 tackles per game.
Virginia is playing well right now, and has established its identity around playing smash mouth football. The Cavaliers should be able to pierce the Duke front with its running game, and although Renfree gives the Blue Devils a shot in this game, quarterback play alone won't get it done.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Virginia 24, Duke 17

Miami-Florida (5-4) at Florida State (6-3)


The Sports Network
DATE & TIME: Saturday, November 12th, 3:30 p.m. (et)
FACTS & STATS: Site: Doak Campbell Stadium (80,000) -- Gainesville, Florida . Television: ABC. Home Record: Miami 4-2, Florida State 4-0. Away Record: Miami 1-2, Florida State 2-3. Neutral Record: Miami 0-0, Florida State 0-0. Conference Record: Miami 3-3, Florida State 4-2. Series Record: Miami leads, 31-24.
GAME NOTES: The Miami Hurricanes will invade Tallahassee this weekend for a fierce rivalry matchup with the Florida State Seminoles, in ACC action that carries important implications for both teams.
The Hurricanes not only have the opportunity to extend their series lead over Florida State, but can become bowl eligible with a victory. Miami drilled Duke 49-14 last weekend, and at 3-3, are still alive in the Coastal Division of the ACC. Miami will close its 2011 regular season with a trip to South Florida, followed by a home contest with Boston College.
Florida State is not out of it yet in the Atlantic Division, but time is running out fast for the Seminoles, who will certainly need help. That's not to say Florida State hasn't handled its own business properly as of late, because this is one of the hottest teams in the ACC at the moment. The Seminoles have won four in a row, including last week's 38-7 drubbing of Boston College. The next three weeks mark a difficult stretch for Florida State, including intriguing matchups with Virginia and Florida the final two weeks of the season. However, Florida State has an opportunity to make a statement against a hated rival come Saturday.
Miami leads the all-time series with Florida State, 31-24.
Miami's offense had its way with Duke last weekend, particularly on the ground. Lamar Miller eclipsed 1,000 yards on the season with a 147-yard, two touchdown performance, and Mike James added 58 yards rushing and two more scores on the ground. Jacory Harris played clean football, throwing for 202 yards and three touchdowns without an interception.
Miller's 7.4 yard per carry performance was hardly surprising. But he had gone three games without a 100 yard rushing performance heading into the Duke game, and his showing represented a return to consistency that Miami only hopes will stick around down the home stretch of the season. Miller, who is second in the ACC with 122.8 yards rushing per game, has scored eight touchdowns this season. Miami is sixth in the ACC in rushing at 158.7 yards per game.
Harris is sixth in the country in passing efficiency (166.1), and has thrown for over 1,700 yards with 18 touchdowns and just four interceptions this season. The passing game has featured Travis Benjamin and Tommy Streeter as the top two receivers for Miami. Benjamin averages a team high four catches per game and has recorded 460 yards and three touchdowns this season, while Streeter hauls in 3.5 catches and 70 yards per game. Streeter has eight touchdown catches this season. Miami ranks fourth in the ACC in scoring with 30.6 yards per game.
The Miami defense kept Duke quarterback Sean Renfree in check last weekend, applying pressure for much of the contest and only allowing 194 passing yards. Although Miami is next to last in the ACC in passing efficiency defense (141.6), the Hurricanes rank fifth in the ACC in pass defense (205.6). The unit is allowing 384.6 yards per game, but is third in the league in scoring defense (21.2). The unit is fifth in both tackles for loss (6.2) and sacks (two) per game, with Sean Spence leading the ACC in tackles for loss with 1.5 per outing. Spence also leads the team in tackles, with 10.3 per game.
Florida State's offense benefited from a stifling performance from its defense, but E.J. Manuel and company were still precise and efficient. The offense put together four touchdown drives in the first half to put the game away; Manuel threw for 180 yards and one touchdown and ran for another, while Devonta Freeman rushed for 62 yards and two scores as the running attack gobbled up 127 yards on the ground. Freeman leads the team with 45.8 yards rushing per game, and has scored six touchdowns this season.
Florida State ranks 18th in the country is passing (292.3), and is third in the ACC in scoring with 35.8 points per game.
Manuel ranks fourth in the ACC in passing efficiency (157.9) and is second in the league in total yards per game with 267. Manuel has thrown for over 1900 yards this season with 14 touchdowns and eight interceptions, and Kenny Shaw leads the team with 3.2 receptions per game, but didn't play last weekend against Boston College. Rodney Smith is another notable playmaker out wide for Florida State, and he has caught 28 balls for 486 yards and three touchdowns this season.
Florida State's defense was dominant against Boston College, holding the Eagles to 207 total yards and forcing four turnovers. The Seminoles allowed just 94 yards rushing, at 2.4 yards per carry in the win. Florida State continues to sport one of the elite defenses in the country heading down the stretch. The unit leads the ACC in total defense (268) and rushing defense (78.8), and is second in scoring defense (15.7) and pass defense (189.1). Florida State gets heavy amounts of pressure game in and game out, currently ranking first in the ACC in both sacks (3.3) and tackles for loss (7.6) per game. Bjoern Werner is tied for second in sacks in the ACC, and Mike Harris currently leads the Florida State defense with six tackles per game.
Both teams are playing well, and Miami is much improved with Harris protecting the ball this season. Florida State's defense is legit. Miller may get his yards, but expect Harris to be pressured all day in a hostile environment, while Manuel gets short fields to play with for the Seminoles' offense.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Florida State 35, Miami 24