ACC’s Vegas Odds: Analysis goes out the door

The 2016 football season is off to a roaring start, and last week’s games only added to the fireworks. I don’t think anyone in their right minds would have predicted Louisville hanging 60 points on Florida State. Throw in scintillating performances by Alabama and Ohio State, and fans across the country enjoyed another great week.

My picks continued to struggle, though I’m still doing better than Brian and Caroline (heyo!). (Eds. note: Brian missed last week’s picks, so this dig is unfair, Matthew.) With that in mind, I’ve decided to go with a less analysis and more snark in this week’s column. Let’s get to it.

Conference Games

#5 Clemson is a 9.5-point favorite on the road at Georgia Tech

Georgia Tech’s triple option always seems to give Clemson a little trouble. I’m taking the Jackets to cover at home. That said, the Tigers should be full of confidence after a rousing win over South Carolina State.

North Carolina is a 7-point favorite at home against Pittsburgh

North Carolina’s defensive coordinator Gene Chizik said that things could get “ugly” if the defense doesn’t start playing better soon. Maybe his defenders have been focusing too hard on their schoolwork. I think Pittsburgh scores enough points to cover.

Games That Should Be Close

#13 Florida State is a 5.5-point favorite on the road at South Florida

After getting shellacked by Louisville, does it really matter to Seminole fans what Florida State does this week against South Florida? The Bulls are no slouch and should keep it close enough to cover.

Syracuse is a 4.5-point underdog on the road at UConn

As Virginia proved, no one waltzes into Rentschler Stadium and pushes UConn around. But make no mistake…the Huskies aren’t good enough to beat anyone by 4.5 points. I’m taking Syracuse.

Wake Forest is a 7.5-point underdog on the road against Indiana

Wake Forest is 3-0 and the dream of an undefeated season lives on in Winston-Salem. That dream will die this weekend, but the Deacs should be able to hang with Indiana. I’m taking Wake to cover

Virginia is a 3.5-point underdog at home against Central Michigan

I noticed that someone in our Yahoo! Pick’Em league has changed his or her name to “Fire Bronco.” It’s good to see that Virginia fans never overreact to anything. The Hoos will break our hearts again this weekend and the Chippewas will cover in Charlottesville.

Games That Shouldn’t Be Close

Virginia Tech is a 12-point favorite at home against East Carolina

East Carolina has given Tech fits over the years. And the Pirates beat NC State. But NC State sucks until it proves otherwise. The Hokies will eke out a cover and continue to build momentum.

Duke is a 20.5-point underdog on the road at Notre Dame

This would be a much better basketball game than a football game. Duke doesn’t have a chance without Thomas Sirk, but it’ll do slightly enough to cover.

#3 Louisville is a 26.5-point favorite on the road at Marshall

Louisville continues to beat the ever-loving-pulp out of everyone it faces. I don't know much about Marshall, nor do I care enough to research it. If the Cardinals hung 60 on FSU, I can't imagine Marshall will do much better. Louisville covers on the road.

Games Against FBS Opponents

Boston College vs. Wagner

BC should pick up another massive win this weekend. But hey, you never know what you're going to get with FCS schools. Just saying.