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College Football Predictions

A contrast in styles, as Wake runs and Baylor was all passing last year. Run-oriented Wake Forest has always been competitive under 8th-year Demon Deacons Head Coach Jim Grobe. The last two years they have been sensational, winning the ACC in 2006 and rolling to a 9-4 SU, 10-3 ATS mark last fall. That makes Wake 20-7 SU, 18-8 ATS the last two years! 6 starters return on offense and 9 to a stingy defense, one that allowed 3.1 yards per rush and 210 passing per contest. They were +10 in turnover margin. Junior QB Riley Skinner runs a low risk, short passing offense and he threw 12 TDs, 13 picks last season, but completed 72% of his passes. Baylor (3-9 SU, 3-8 ATS in 2007) starts fresh with new coach Art Briles. He's an excellent recruiter who turned Houston into an offensive powerhouse. This offense needs a new look, after averaging just 18 points. 6-foot-4 junior quarterback Blake Szymanski started nine games last season (22 TDs and 18 picks) and they have QB Kirby Freeman, the former Miami quarterback who hopes to jumpstart his career after being a former Texas high school star. The program that Briles inherits hasn't been to a bowl since the 1994 season. Last season, the Bears allowed 44 points per game in the Big 12 and didn't come within 20 points of any conference opponent. Baylor's small run defense will struggle. Likely not a lot of points as the Demon Deacons should control the ball and the clock, but note that Wake is on a 10-3 run over the total!
Projected Score: Wake Forest 30, Baylor 16

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NFL Football Predictions

It's not often you find two new coaches facing each other in preseason, but that's the case here. Rebuilding Atlanta has a new head coach Mike Smith and a young QB rotation of Chris Redman, Joey Harrington, rookie Matt Ryan, and D.J. Shockley. The offense has been mostly running. Joey Harrington started last in a 16-9 loss against visiting Indianapolis, then last week Matt Ryan was a winner in his first preseason start, a 17-3 victory over Tennessee. Ryan, the third pick in the draft, completed 15 of 21 passes for 102 yards with a 1-yard scoring pass. At least they found a ground game, as free agent signee Michael Turner gained 113 yards two weeks ago, then last week the team had 145 yards on the ground. It was the third straight week they've topped 100 rush yards: Atlanta has run for 115, 166 and 145 yards in three games. The Ravens are also working on their passing game with young QBs Troy Smith, Kyle Boller and rookie Joe Flacco. New coach John Harbaugh said no one has taken the lead in the team's quarterback race. Rookie Flacco finished 18 of 37 for 152 yards and one touchdown in Saturday's 24-10 loss to the Rams. QB Troy Smith was out with a stomach virus while Kyle Boller has a shoulder injury. Harbaugh has been running the players hard, a physical practice, and they won 16-15 at New England as a dog. Boller was impressive with 11-of-15 passing for 102 yards. Look for lots of running keeps the clock moving...and the score down.
Projected Score: BAL Ravens 17, ATL Falcons 13