I’d like to thank everyone who has followed @AllSportsDACC on Twitter and gave us a warm welcome over the past few weeks. Here is the Week 9 installment of AllSportsDiscussion.com ACC football game predictions. Last week we weren’t too far off with a 5-2 record so this week, we’re hoping to improve on that record this week.
Now, here are some predictions.
Miami (4-3, 1-2 ACC) @ Virginia Tech (4-3, 1-2 ACC)
Last Meeting: Virginia Tech 42 – #14 Miami 24
It seems as though the Hokies season operning victory over Ohio State is a mere mirage. Since the season opening victory in Columbus, the Hokies have uncharacteristically dropped two wins at home and their usually stout defense gave up 210 rushing yards last week against Pitt. This week the Hokies face a tougher rushing attack lead by Miami senior running back Duke Johnson. So it shall be interesting to say the least how the Hokies respond after last week’s performance.
The Hokies are a bit banged up on both sides of the ball. The Hokies look to the return of running back Marshawn Williams (ankle) and receiver Josh Stanford (personal) to provide sparks on offense, however the offensive line has been a main concern for them. Its hard to see the Hokies losing at home to a Canes team that is 0-3 on the road this season. If the Hokies can find balance offensively this week,they face a Canes team that they’ve defeated in six of their last eight meetings.
The Canes are coming off a bye week and a refreshing 55-34 win against Cincinnati on Oct. 11. Duke Johnson has rushed for at least 100 yards in his last 3 contests and against a banged up Hokies defense, he could quite possibly be headed to his fourth. The Canes are in a similar position with the Hokies. With both teams sitting at 1-2 in the conference, a loss here pretty much seals any team’s of having a chance to win the ACC Coastal division.
Prediction: Hokies 20 – Canes 17
North Carolina (3-4, 1-2 ACC) @ Virginia (4-3, 2-1 ACC)
Last Meeting: UNC 45 – Virginia 14
The Wahoos look to get things back on the winning side after falling to Duke last week 20-13 on the road, while the Tar Heels look to play spoiler again this week behind the stellar play of quarterback Marquise Williams.
The Wahoos had 465 yards of total offense, 23 first downs, and lead the game in time of possession last week, the only problem was they couldn’t score when they needed to. In a very close game, Virginia receiver Miles Gooch answered the call with 6 receptions for 129 yards, so it wasn’t the offense that ruined things. Rather it was a fumble on the opening kickoff that proved to be the thorn in Virginia’s side. The good news this week is UNC’s defense gives up 522 yards a game so it shouldn’t be too difficult for Virginia to score. The Wahoos defense just should be prepared for Marquise Williams, who can do it all.
Williams has thrown for 1,776 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, six interceptions, and is the team’s co-leader in rushing touchdowns with five. Despite their record, Williams has shown he can do more than just throw the football. In last year’s meeting, he had a passing touchdown, rushing touchdown, and receiving touchdown so the Wahoos are very familiar with Marquise Williams and what he’s capable of. The only problem here is the UNC defense, which is on pace to set the new ACC record for total yards given up on defense.
Prediction: Virginia 48 – North Carolina 38
Boston College (4-3, 1-2 ACC) @ Wake Forest (2-5, 0-3 ACC)
Last Meeting: Boston College 24 – Wake Forest 10
Boston College fell short last week against Clemson 13-17 while the Demon Deacons are still searching for their first ACC win after a 30-7 loss makes it three straight losses in a row.
The Eagles couldn’t do much against a Clemson defense that only gave up 120 rushing yards on 36 plays. This week should be much easier for the Eagles to get the running game going against a Wake Forest defense that has given up an average of 31 points in their last three losses. Boston College has won six of their last nine meetings.
The Demon Deacons are just looking to survive the season at this point. Last week’s performance was anything but stellar but you have to hope fans are still optimistic for the future since they have scored first in all seven games this season. The Demon Deacons have won two of the last three meetings so who knows, maybe they’ll surprise us all.
Prediction: Boston College 23 – Wake Forest 10
Georgia Tech (5-2, 2-2 ACC) @ Pittsburgh (4-3, 2-1 ACC)
Last Meeting: Georgia Tech 21 – Pitt 10
Tied atop the ACC Coastal division withe Duke, one would expect Pittsburgh will be a hard team to beat come this Saturday after an impressive victory over the Hokies last week 21-16. On the other hand, the Yellow Jackets have dropped two consecutive games after rolling out to a 5-0 start.
The Panthers boast the 8th ranked rusher in James Conner with 959 rushing yards and the 11th ranked scoring threat with 11 rushing touchdowns. Conner has made a good case for ACC Offensive Player of the Year, especially after rumbling to two touchdowns last week. Quarterback Chad Voytik also showed off his running ability last week as well to the tune of 118 rushing yards, a career-high. The Panthers hope to keep their ACC Coastal division chances alive against a tough Yellow Jackets Triple Option offense.
The Yellow Jackets are searching for answers after they couldn’t stop quarterback Marquise Williams last week. The Yellow Jackets gave up 579 total yards of offense last week so they hope to buckle down on defense this week despite giving up 416 yards a game on average. Georgia Tech does hold the nations 5th best rushing attack at 306.3 yards a game so they’re hoping the run game can carry them against a Pitt team that gives up only 280.4 total yards a game.
Needless to say, it shall be interesting to see which teams show up on both sides of the ball. Pitt is 1-3 in their last four games
Prediction: Pitt 20 – GT 14
Syracuse (3-4, 1-2 ACC) @ #21 Clemson (5-2, 3-2 ACC)
This marks the third ever meeting between Clemson and Syracuse in football and Syracuse first ever trip to Death Valley. Things could get a bit overwhelming for the Orange in a hurry.
The Orange are coming off a convincing 30-7 win over Wake Forest that was led by their performance on defense. So it could be a good building block for this week’s visit to Death Valley. Orange Quarterback AJ Long took home ACC Rookie of the Week for last week’s performance while defensive end Robert Welsh was awarded with ACC Linemen of the Week honors after scoring his second career interception for a touchdown.
Clemson’s defense looks poised to take care of business after losing starting quarterback Deshaun Wilson to a broken finger for at least a month. Last week, the Tigers held Boston College to 120 rushing yards, well below their 287.7 average. The offense didn’t turn the ball over and it scored when it needed to last game so don’t expect much let up against Syracuse.
Prediction: Clemson 27 – Syracuse 17
Byes This Week: Duke, Florida State, Louisville, & North Carolina State
What are your thoughts? Feel free to share your opinion in the comments or on Twitter @AllSportsDACC !
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