Hello, @HereGoJayAgain with this week’s installment of ACC football predictions. Week 12, there were upsets, there were blowouts, and then there were injuries. If you’re a Clemson fan, I feel for you. After losing Deshaun Watson to a hand injury, it looks as though he is out again this time with a sprained LCL. Last week predictions were 3-2, putting our overall record at 19-9 for the season, not too shabby.
North Carolina (5-5, 3-3 ACC) @ #25 Duke (8-2, 4-2 ACC)
After dropping one at home last week to the Hokies 17-16, the Duke Blue Devils hope to bounce back and get back into the driver’s seat of the ACC Coastal division. A win here and against Wake Forest sends the Blue Devils to the ACC Championship game, a loss sends Georgia Tech instead. The Tarheels, on the other hand, are seeking one more win to become bowl eligible.
The name of the game here is defense. The Tar Heels have been abysmal on the defensive side of the ball, allowing 512 yards of offense. The Blue Devils, while they do give up 388 yards on defense, they limit their opponents to 18.1 points a game. If the Blue Devils can limit their turnovers and control the game, as they have consistently for most of the season, expect them to pull out a close win.
Prediction: Duke 27 – UNC 20
Virginia Tech (5-5, 2-4 ACC) @ Wake Forest (2-8, 0-6 ACC)
This game will be very interesting. Virginia Tech is in a rare position. On the outside looking in on the ACC Coastal race, however, a win here makes them bowl eligible (you gotta play for something right?). While this isn’t a very good Wake Forest team, they have proven to be competitive team at times. Depending on which Hokies’ football team shows up, we may see an easy victory or another head-shaking loss. But seeing as Wake Forest is currently on a 6 game losing streak, you have to go with the hot team here.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 24 – Wake Forest 10
Georgia State (1-9) @ Clemson (7-3, 6-2 ACC)
It hasn’t been a bad season at all for Clemson, but when Deshaun Watson isn’t playing, this team looks out-of-sync on offense. It didn’t help when Cole Stoudt came in and his first pass went for a pick 6 either. Luckily, they’re playing Georgia State this week. At 1-9, Georgia State hasn’t won a game since August 27….well there’s always next year.
Prediction: Clemson 45– Georgia State 7
Boston College (6-4, 3-3 ACC) @ #3 Florida St. (10-0, 7-0 ACC)
26 games and counting. Despite rankings and projections, if the Seminoles win the rest of their games, they should make the first College Football Playoff. Jameis Winston passed a tough test defeating a hot Miami team last week but Boston College isn’t a team to take lightly either.
After all, this same Boston College team upset USC early in the season behind a whopping 452 rushing yards. However, the Seminole defense is a lot tougher and a lot more disciplined on stopping the run. Although Duke Johnson ran for 130 yards last week, he was held to his lowest total since the Hurricanes last loss to Boston College.
With Florida State at home, its a different atmosphere for the Eagles, however don’t expect a blowout. Florida State likes to make things interesting in the first half of games.
Prediction: Florida State 35 – Boston College 25
#24 Louisville (7-3, 5-3 ACC) @ Notre Dame (7-3)
Louisville seem to have found their offense the past couple of games, surpassing 30 points in their last three games while going 2-1. With reserve quarterback Reggie Bonnafon ready to take snaps after injury to starter Will Gardner, the Cardinals have to be looking for an upset on the road. However, the top-ranked Cardinals defense will have their work cut out for them against the Fighting Irish’ high-powered offense.
After being upset by Northwestern last week, the Irish will look to be a lot more consistent on both sides of the ball. The Irish score 35 points a game and are 4-1 at home. It was four turnovers that ultimately ended up costing the Irish what should have been an easy victory and they look to correct it this week against a much tougher defense.
This game comes down to defense (another one, yes!). Louisville has to be licking their chops after seeing Notre Dame lose at home last week and they only give up 18 points a game on defense. I call Louisville in an upset.
Prediction: Louisville 31 – Notre Dame 28
Miami (6-4, 3-3 ACC) @ Virginia (4-6, 2-4 ACC)
The Virginia Cavaliers have had a rough season after starting 2-0 in the ACC and have lost their last four ACC games. The Cavaliers have been on a roller coaster of season so far and things don’t get any easier when the Hurricanes come to town on Saturday.
The Hurricanes, despite losing last week to the Seminoles, have won three of their last four games and running back Duke Johnson has rushed for 100 yards or more in their last 7 games bringing his rushing yard total to 1,343 yards. Quarterback Brad Kaaya is also poised to close out his first season as starting quarterback on a high note as well.
It remains to be if the Cavaliers will right the ship and become bowl eligible, but against a run-heavy Miami team at home, the Cavaliers may be in for their fifth straight loss.
Prediction: Miami 35 – Virginia 24
Syracuse (3-7, 1-5 ACC) @ Pittsburgh (4-6, 2-4 ACC)
The Pittsburgh Panthers have lost four of their last five games and are desperate for a win. The Syracuse Orange have won one of their last eight games and simply put, the Orange are a very inexperienced team. They played two quarterbacks in their last meeting against Duke (Nov. 8) and with 2 quarterbacks injured already, it’s hard to predict the Orange leaving Heintz Field with a victory.
Look for Pittsburgh to get back to its winning ways this week bounce back this week behind the legs of running back James Conner, who scored 4 touchdowns (56, 16, 2, 22 yards), last week against North Carolina.
Prediction: Pittsburgh 35 – Syracuse 31
Byes This Week: North Carolina State, Georgia Tech
What are your thoughts? Feel free to share your opinion in the comments or on Twitter @AllSportsDACC !
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