Welsh: Wake Forest’s run should end this week

This week’s Scripps Legends Poll didn’t see much movement at the top. And there are a few similarities between the Legends’ rankings and BCS computer pollster Richard Billingsley. Although, the two differ on the No. 1 team — the Legends have Alabama at the top and Billingsley has LSU — they can agree that this weekend’s games could shake up the polls.

Here’s an excerpt from the Legends vs. Computers conference call this week.

Moderator: Richard, what are your thoughts about the Baylor/Texas A&M game?

Billingsley: I’m really looking forward to it because I think it’s going to be a very interesting game to see how A&M – whether they can salvage their season or not. Now, they had a great win when they went to Lubbock and won 45-40 Saturday. They actually played in the second half. I think that’s a step in the right direction right there.

But Baylor I think is the better team than Texas A&M. So, the Aggies are at home, they’ve got Baylor coming in. Baylor’s a good team. You know, can the Aggies keep it going, keep the momentum going, and end up having a good season? They’ve only got two losses so that’s not the end of the world. They could end up having a great season. But this game, I think, against Baylor is going to be a determining factor as to just how good Texas A&M is.

Moderator: George, what do you think about Virginia Tech now going to Wake Forest?

Welsh: The one thing that Virginia Tech has had a little bit of trouble with this year, like Miami showed … they rushed for what, 300 yards, in the second half or something. It was a power running game. I think they would have trouble with a big league offensive line in a power running game, but that is not Wake Forest from what I’ve seen Wake Forest.

Wake Forest is more of a throwing game and trick plays. So, I think Virginia Tech if their quarterback plays well, but he played better than I ever thought he could possibly play last week – with 22 for 25. That’s my feeling. I think that Wake will have a hard time beating Virginia Tech.

Moderator: George, you know, you saw over the years how Virginia Tech used to be just unbeatable with their special teams play, you know, the kick returns, field goal blocking, running interceptions back, etc., how does a team lose that? The head coach has been the same and the defensive coordinator. I don’t know who is doing their special teams, but that was what Virginia Tech was known for.

Welsh:  Frank Beamer coached the punt and the punt return teams. He spent Sunday’s getting it done and that’s very unusual for a head coach. So, I don’t imagine him at his age still doing that. But maybe he is. Plus they don’t have the people they used to have to do it.

Moderator: Yeah, they lost that identity, you know, that that was what they were known for.

Welsh: I still think they’re very good, but I think everybody else has caught up to them. That’s the difference. Right. The other teams are spending more time on it.

Moderator: Richard, what about Oklahoma State and Texas?

Billingsley: I don’t think we’re going to see the same Texas team on the field Saturday against the Cowboys that we did in Dallas against the Sooners. Like I say, I think that game just got really out of hand. Now, Oklahoma State is an explosive team and they’ve got a great offense. And Texas is going to have a really hard game. They’re going to play with more intensity. I think being at home and Texas was a little embarrassed last week. They’re going to practice hard. You’re going to see a better game. I still think Oklahoma State may come out on top in that game, but I don’t think we’re going to see the blow out that we did in Dallas.

(Image courtesy of Flickr, Daaka2)

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