ACC Picks for Week Eight

Before we check the games for Week 8 in the ACC, let me give you the result from last week… 5 and 1 straight out, but only a .500 mark, 3 and 3, with the spread. Not bad, not good, but it is what it is and I will take it as the first week of picking. Now on to this week’s match ups, which include four ACC match ups and Pittsburgh taking on Old Dominion.

Syracuse (3-3 & 1-1 ACC) at Georgia Tech (3-3 & 2-2 ACC)
12:30 p.m EST (ACC Network/ESPN3)
GA Tech favored by 7

Tune into this battle of the .500 teams if you like good ole running football, as both will be pounding the ball a lot more than throwing it. However, both of these squads do have decent run defenses. This could be one of those games that who gets to three scores first wins. The key in this one is going to be who can hold on to the ball as well, as turnovers might be very costly. Result: Playing at home it is going to be Georgia Tech winning this one by the final of 27 to 17, covering the spread as well. The loss might just be the one that stops the hopes of Syracuse from going to the post season.

Maryland (5-1 & 1-1 ACC) at Wake Forest (3-3 & 1-2 ACC)
3:30 p.m. EST (ESPNU)
Maryland favored by 6.5

This one should be interesting, as this could be the game that gives the Terps their bid to their last bowl game as an ACC squad. If they have their starting QB back, who was out last week, this should be a pretty easy win for them, as the Demon Deacons do not have much to counter on offense. Result: In the end it is going to be closer than some might think, but not close enough to cover the spread as Maryland wins 31 to 21.

Duke (4-2 & 0-2 ACC) at Virginia (2-4 & 0-2 ACC)
3:30 p.m. EST (ESPN3)
Virginia favored by 2.5

This is a game between two winless teams in the conference, but still going in opposite directions. Duke is a pair of wins from going bowling in back to back seasons, while Virginia is on a three game skid. With Duke getting their starting QB back this should help them out against a team that needs a ton of help, and won’t be getting much any time soon. Once again this might just be one of those games that who does not lose the ball wins the game. Result: In a tight game watch Duke take it 21 to 17, going one game from another bowl game and even covering the spread. And with the loss Virginia closes out its hopes of playing past the regular season.

Old Dominion (4-2) at Pittsburgh (3-2)
7:00 p.m. EST (ESPN3)
No line for the game

This is a game that Pittsburgh needs in order to keep their chances of going to a bowl game in their first season in the ACC. They have in front of them a team with a better record on paper than on the field. This is a game that is a must win for Pittsburgh and with the help of better lines on both side of the ball the Panthers will be able to pull out a W, even if it won’t be as easy as its fan base would like it to be. Result: Pittsburgh struggles at first and then clicks after intermission for a final of 42 to 24.

#5 Florida State (5-0 & 3-0 ACC) at #3 Clemson (6-0 & 4-0 ACC)
8:00 p.m. EST (ABC)
Florida State favored by 3

In the game that the college football landscape has been waiting all week long, and is without a doubt one of the biggest that the ACC has ever had in its history. This one is going to be a barn burner. The spread is close for a reason on this one, as both teams are worthy to be the one representing the conference in the BCS. But who is going to win? Death Valley is a good advantage for the Tigers, has they won five in a row at home versus the Seminoles. On the other hand, if you read around it seems that FSU has the better players on its roster. The key to all of this… how will Heisman hopeful Tajh Boyd react under the pressure of such a game and the opposition’s D pressure. Result: In a tight game, that could go either way, it’s going to be Florida State pulling it out by the final of 34 to 31, making the spread null.