Presto’s Picks: Week 4

WASHINGTON — This week’s major college football storyline wasn’t about which conference was best (the Pac-12 taking a major hit) or even about which 3-0 team was fool’s gold (my money’s on NC State), but on the top-ranked and defending national champion’s reigning Heisman Trophy winning quarterback. And for all of the wrong reasons.

Jameis Winston’s time in Tallahassee has not transpired without incident, from stealing crab legs to being accused of sexual assault. This week, the 20-year- old shouted obscenities of a sexual nature while standing atop a table in a student union building. The school stepped in and rightfully suspended the redshirt-sophomore…for the first half of Saturday’s game with Clemson. Late Friday night, they amended the suspension to a full game.

Way to send a message, Seminoles.

This makes one look even more forward to December’s Heisman Trophy presentation, where one hears how great these kids are on and off the field. Somewhere, the script was lost after John Capelletti dedicating his Heisman to his Leukemia-stricken brother during his speech. Winston finds himself in the fine company of men not as much “of character” but who “are characters.” Johnny Manziel sold his autograph for cash. Cam Newton’s parents reportedly sold their son’s services to the highest bidder. Reggie Bush (since vacated) got the “full family treatment” by a USC booster. At one time we used to wonder if the Heisman winner would pan out in the pros. Now one just hopes they leave college without incident. Herschel Walker, where have you gone?

Maryland visits Syracuse Head coach Randy Edsall returns to his alma mater (class of 1980), but more importantly his team tries to fix what went wrong in a loss to West Virginia. That means consistency on offense and better secondary play on defense. CJ Brown was held to 5 yards rushing and was intercepted twice last year in a loss at Byrd and the senior has yet to fully regain the mojo he had last September. The Orange boast a pair of running backs with three names: Adonis Ameen-Moore and Prince-Tyson Gulley. Both boast breakaway speed and the necessary hyphens (backup George Morris II has tried to get his “II” counted as a name; NCAA ruling is pending). The pass defense has to watch out for the short stuff — Terrel Hunt averages less than 10 yards per completion this fall. Another factor: heat inside a domed stadium that isn’t air-conditioned yet sponsored by Carrier.

Terrapins triumph, 24-20.

Virginia Tech tangles with Georgia Tech

Now that the September Stagger (it took a while to put away William & Mary), September Shocker (freshman QB or not, Ohio State in Columbus?) and September Stumble (ECU spells upset) is in their rear-view mirror, VT can focus on the ACC season. Defending the Yellow Jackets begins with containing an option offense that’s second to Navy in effectiveness. While the Hokies are allowing only 86 yards a game rushing, this is a different animal. But GT has looked shaky in wins over Tulane, Wofford and — wait for it — Georgia Southern. When a victory over the Green Wave is your signature moment, it’s been a soft September. The Yellow Jackets gave up 38 points to instate foe Georgia Southern. Michael Brewer, please stop licking your chops.

Hokies bounce back, 31-21.

Virginia battles #21 BYU

One year after the lightning-interrupted upset of the Cougars, UVA heads west to face a team that’s made a name for itself with an early rout of Texas, but struggled to beat Houston. The Cavaliers held Taysom Hill to 13-of-40 passing last year, but so far this September the junior has thrown for four touchdowns while running for six more scores. He’s also completing 68 percent of his passes and averaging 119 yards-per-game rushing. He’s the kind of run-pass combination Coach Mike London can only get when he plays both Greyson Lambert and Matt Johns

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