Before we get going with the tenth week picks in the conference, let’s check out the games from last week in the ACC and how I did. In all straight up I went 4 and 2 (13-4 overall), while doing very badly against the spread at 2 and 4 (8-8 overall). This week has six games in the conference, but I will only pick five, as I do not do the North Carolina game.
Virginia Tech (6-2 & 3-1 ACC) at Boston College (3-4 & 1-3 ACC)
12:00 p.m. EST (ABC/ESPN2)
Virginia Tech favored by 4.5
Boston College has overachieved this season under their new head coach. But after losing last week to UNC on the road they are going to face a Virginia Tech team that last season had to go to overtime to get a win. Va Tech lost it’s Top 25 ranking with when Duke upset them, they can ill afford another loss if they want to go to a decent bowl game in December. While the Eagles will get their shots in this one, especially under the power of their running back, Andre Williams, they will not win the overall war. Result: Virginia Tech will score enough to beat the spread in this one, with the final being 31 to 24.
Wake Forest (4-4 & 2-3 ACC) at Syracuse (3-4 & 1-2 ACC)
12:30 p.m. EST (ESPN3/GamePlan)
Syracuse favored by 3.5
In what could be the only game where SU will be favored in conference games this is still not a gimme for the home team. With both teams still looking for a way to make a bowl game, this game is as important as any either programs will play in 2013, as the loser might just have lost its chances to play in the post season. This one is going to come down to one thing, if Wake can get the lead and SU has to play catch up, then the Orange will have to throw the ball, something they are not doing well, and the Deamon Deacons will be able to take advantage of that. Result: In what will probably the closest game of the week take Wake Forest to win by one point, 24 to 23, and of course cover.
#8 Clemson (7-1 & 5-1 ACC) at Virginia (2-6 & 0-4 ACC)
3:30 p.m. EST (ESPN/WatchESPN)
Clemson favored by 17
Welcome to what should be a glorified practice for the Tigers. I think that biggest motivations for Clemson is that playing a 2 win program, without a conference win, they are not the biggest spread in the match ups concerning the Atlantic Coast Conference. Result: Clemson is going to win big, but not as big as they could, since they will pull their starters late in the game, with the final being 42 to 10.
Pittsburgh (4-3 & 2-2 ACC) at Georgia Tech (5-3 & 4-2 ACC)
7:00 p.m. EST ESPNU (WatchESPN)
Georgia Tech favored by 10
To think about this game we just need to look back to a week ago, when Pitt lost to an option offense. Now, seven days later the Panthers will find another team that does the same thing, just with better players. GA Tech is close to 400 rushing yards in their last two wins, while Pitt’s D needs to find a way to stop that. On the flip side GT will have to be leery of the opponent’s aerial attack as they are among the worst in the conference. Result: Georgia Tech will use their running game to beat Pittsburgh, but they will not cover, as the game will end 31 to 27.
#7 Miami (7-0 & 3-0 ACC) at #3 Florida State (7-0 & 5-0 ACC)
8:00 p.m. EST (ABC)
Florida State favored by 22
It has to be a rarity when you find a spread this wide between two Top 10 teams (the only exception being if Alabama is one of the squads), but what is going to be more of a one of a kind deal is that FSU needs to not only win this game and but to also beat the spread if they want to get the second spot back in the BCS. The `Canes have not lost in 2013, but they have come close twice this season, and have a lot more question marks than the `Noles do. I see this as a huge offensive game, with FSU’s gunslinger being able to use all the talent around him to get the job done, while on the other side Miami’s offense will not be able to produce as much. Result: I would not take the under in this game, as Florida State takes this one 45 to 21, covering the spread.
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