ACC Betting Preview: Week 6

Virginia is on bye this week, but betting never takes a week off. Finally, we’ve got a whole slate of ACC games and with it, tighter spreads and questions surrounding every team. Let’s get on with the picks and the ACC Coastal showdown with championship implications down in Mia...err Durham.

Boston College Eagles @ Louisville Cardinals
Louisville -4.5; Over/Under 60.5

I’ve had decent success betting the Louisville Cardinals this season. After they played Notre Dame better than I thought they might, I was sold that this team could be competitive in the ACC. In the three games since, they’ve handled the teams they were supposed to handle, and lost to a Florida State they were supposed to lose to. But that leaves us asking the question, what kind of team is Boston College. The win over VaTech opening weekend opened some eyes, but are we sure that was a good win now? Then they laid an egg at home against Kansas, but hung with Wake Forest (who I think is pretty good). All in all, I think we’re looking at two middle of the road ACC teams. If you told me Boston College won this outright, I wouldn’t be shocked, therefore taking them getting 4.5 points seems like the play.

Pick: Boston College +4.5

Virginia Tech Hokies @ Miami Hurricanes
Miami -14 ; Over/Under 46

30-16. That’s the implied total of this game. Does Miami score 30? Does VaTech score 16? It still isn’t know whether Ryan Willis or Hendon Hooker will get the start under center for the Hokies, but it’s sounding (through IG clues) like it’ll be the latter. Regardless, it probably won’t make much of a difference as the Hurricanes defense should tee off. The only fear I have with taking the under is that Miami could throw in a couple scores on defense. I liked Miami winning this game before the season started, and there is obviously nothing that has changed my mind. At this point, the only question is by how much.

Pick: Miami -14

North Carolina Tar Heels @ Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Georgia Tech +10.5; Over/Under 48.5

So far my strategy of fading Georgia Tech this season has turned out very fruitful. When a team loses to The Citadel, it’s going to take some ridiculous spreads to get me to back the Jackets. Two weeks ago, I was confident in Temple laying 8.5 against Georgia Tech, and the Owls came through for me. And now, the Tar Heels are only laying 10.5? North Carolina is better than Temple. They’ll get this done.

Pick: North Carolina -10.5

Pittsburgh Panthers @ Duke Blue Devils
Duke -4; Over/Under 48.5

Last week, I wasn’t sure what to make of Duke. Then they blew the Hokies right out of Lane Stadium 45-10. So, the Blue Devils are good, right? Well, maaaayyyybeeee. I think it said more about the Hokies than the Blue Devils. If Duke loses that game, or wins it by only a field goal, what’s this line? Maybe Duke -1.5. It’s certainly not Duke -4. I think the value is on Pitt. They’ve kept games fairly tight this year, and therefore I don’t see the Blue Devils running away from the Panthers.

Pick: Pitt +4

Record: 24-25-1