Beans' Weekly Winners: Week 8

North Carolina at Virginia (+4.5), 3:30pm
This is a case of bad timing for the Tar Heels. UNC learned this week that star WR Brandon Tate will be sidelined for the rest of the year with a knee injury, a major blow to Carolina's ACC title hopes. Where did this Virginia team come from? They were left for dead two weeks ago following an embarrassing 31-3 loss to, of all schools, DUKE! Their coach was as good as gone and everyone was looking to 2009. But suddenly after two convincing wins over Maryland and East Carolina, the Cavs are alive and well again. We're going to ride the hot hand and take the points at home. Without Brandon Tate for the first time since 2004 (the senior has played in every game starting from his Freshman year), Carolina will rely heavily on a defense which has created scoring opportunities and that can only take you so far. Carolina hasn't won a game at Virginia since 1981, don't look for that to change on Saturday.

Georgia Tech (-2.5) at Clemson, noon
The Bowden Era at Clemson is done. This comes as little surprise to many of us paying attention to Clemson the past three years. The Tigers have underachieved and finally Bowden was going to get fired because of it eventually. This could be good for Clemson in the long run, but in the short run -- it might be a long year. Clemson is 1-3 against FBS competition and will be without QB Cullen Harper and RB CJ Spiller. They were struggling for points against Maryland and Wake Forest with those two which means that they are really going to struggle without them against a tough Georgia Tech defense. Another Weekly Favorite, Georgia Tech Head Coach Paul Johnson looks like he has quickly done a great job. The Jackets are 5-1 and sitting at 2-1 in the ACC Coastal Division and are 8th in the nation in rushing at 255 yards per game -- classic Johnson. Look for the Jackets to contain a listless Tiger offense as they move closer to an ACC title game birth.

Syracuse at South Florida (-24), noon
The Weekly witnessed Syracuse first hand last weekend at West Virginia. The Orange probably played as well as they possibly could, and could still only muster two field goals. In the past three meetings South Florida has brutalized Syracuse to the tune of 95-20, and it looks like the talent gap has never been wider. The Bulls are finally starting to get healthy, especially defensive anchor George Selvie who should be close to 100% for the first time in over a month. South Florida is at home and coming off a bye, while Syracuse is making their second long road trip in as many weeks. Boasting the top offense in the Big East, USF will have no problems disposing of one of the worst defenses in all of America. Bulls in a laugher.

Ohio State (-3.5) at Michigan State, 3:30pm
Ohio State has been flying under the radar for weeks now. This is not the same team who got their jock handed to them by Southern Cal. Freshman sensation Terrelle Prior has given this team some much needed athleticism, as well as a spark, and pre-season Heisman Trophy candidate RB Beanie Wells is back in action. Michigan State has been riding the back of their own Heisman trophy hopeful, in Weekly Favorite Javon Ringer. Ringer has literally carried the Spartans to the top of the Big Ten, carrying the ball an incredible 247 times in just seven games. In his past two games Ringer has seen his yards per carry drop to just 3.5 and 3.6 yards per carry. These are down drastically from 5 and 6 yards per carry averages earlier in the season. Could it be that Ringer is feeling the effects of those 247 carries? We think so. Ringer won't be able to carry the burden this week, as Ohio State keeps control of Big Ten.

Good Luck.

Many Hundos.