Pittsburgh (3-1 ~ 2-1 ACC) at Virginia Tech (5-1 ~ 2-0 ACC)
12:00 p.m. EST (ESPNU)
VA Tech favored by 9
AllSportsDiscussion Rankings: #6 Pitt vs #4 Va Tech
Newly arrived in the Atlantic Coast Conference Pitt is going to try to give Va Tech’s first conference loss of the season. In order to do that the Panthers will have to get past the Hokies’ D, which is a lot easier to say than do, as that core of players have had 19 sacks and 16 turnovers in 2013. On the other hand Pitt’s D is ranked 10th in the conference. The win for Pittsburgh could give them a consideration of being part of the top of the Coastal Division. Unfortunately for them they play a team in Virginia Tech that is already there, and that can only mean a loss for the Panthers. If it’s any consolation to the newbies in the conference, they will cover the spread, as the Hokies win 27 to 21.
Navy (3-1) at Duke (3-2 ~ 0-2 ACC)
12:30 p.m. EST (ACC Network)
Duke favored by 3
A season after making their first bowl game in a long time, Duke is now trying to repeat the feat and not having as good of a season as they had hoped. If the Blue Devils want to be playing in December this is a must win game. Good thing for the ACC squad is that they have already faced the triple option this season when playing Ga Tech, and second they have had extra time to prepare for this match up. In a game where the “the last to have the ball wins” rule may be in effect, look for Duke to win this one 41 to 35 and covering the spread.
Virginia (2-3 ~ 0-1 ACC) at Maryland (4-1 ~ 0-1 ACC)
3:30 p.m. EST (ESPNU)
Maryland favored by 7
AllSportsDiscussion Rankings: #14 Virginia vs #7 Maryland
Both of these squads come off losses, with Maryland having lost 63 nothing to FSU, while Virginia being upset by Ball State by 3 touchdowns. This might just be a match up that comes down to which team snaps out of last week’s loss and plays this week’s game. With the Terps leaving the conference this will stop a yearly match up between the program that dates back to 1957. And while UVa has won their last three games in College Park, this is one is going to be a sour farewell for the Cavaliers, as they lose this one by the final of 35 to 21, not even covering the spread.
Syracuse (2-3 ~ 0-1 ACC) at N.C. State (3-2 ~ 0-2 ACC)
3:30 p.m. EST (RST)
N.C. State favored by 6.5
AllSportsDiscussion Rankings: #12 Syracuse vs #8 N.C. State
Just like the game before, another match up between two teams coming off losses, with one having lost big and the other having been upset. SU’s welcome to the conference was a 49-14 loss to Clemson, while State took an L from in-state foe Wake Forest. Both programs have issues under center, so this could be an old fashion run game, with both squads doing well on the ground. N.C. State are a bit better on the defense side, and that is going to be edge needed to win this one. I see the Wolfpacks to take this one 27 to 21, winning but not covering the spread.
Boston College (3-2 ~ 1-1 ACC) at Clemson (5-0 ~ 3-0 ACC)
3:30 p.m. EST (ESPN2/ABC)
Clemson favored by 24.5
AllSportsDiscussion Rankings: #11 Boston College vs #1 Clemson
If Clemson loses this game is because they were playing against FSU and not Boston College, as the players are focused on next week’s show down and not the team on the field this Saturday. Other than that the Eagles’ only chance of winning this would be if the Tigers do not show up, which is highly unlikely since it is a home game for Clemson. Look for Tajh Boyd to have a field day in this one, and for the announcers to talk more about next Saturday’s match up than talk about this game. The only good news, the coaching staff might want to keep its team ready for the following week, and pull their starters early, and so the score won’t be a blow out, In the end it’s Clemson winning 42 to 21, with the consolation being BC beats the spread.
Georgia Tech (3-2 ~ 2-2 ACC) vs. BYU (3-2)
7:00 p.m. EST (ESPNU)
BYU favored by 7
Just like the game between SU and NC State, this should be another game with lots of ground and pound, as both programs are ranked in the Top 15 rushing the ball. Once again this match up could definitely come down to which program has the better defensive game, and there I have to give BYU the edge, along with the fact that the Cougars are playing at home. In the end I see BYU winning 27 to 21, but unable of covering the spread.
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