ACC Betting Preview: Bowl Edition Part 2

In case you missed Part One of the betting preview, it’s probably for the best. It took a last minute touchdown drive by Clemson to avoid going 0-5. But like a true degenerate, it’s time to get back up on the horse and try to finish the season on a high note. On to the picks.

Monday

Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl
Mississippi State Bulldogs @ Louisville Cardinals
Louisville +5.5; Over/Under 63

After their decent showing in Week 1 against Notre Dame, I think I had a fairly decent feel for Louisville. After all, this was a very talented team that completely quit on Bobby Petrino the year before. In his first season, Coach Scott Satterfield had his team competing week in and week out. However, as the season went along it was very clear that Louisville played well in/won games against similar talent. However, in games against superior talent, they struggled to cover. This is one of those games that’s a step up in talent. Louisville should be competitive, but in the end the Bulldogs will be just too much.

Pick: Mississippi State -

Capital One Orange Bowl
Florida Gators vs. Virginia Cavaliers
Virginia 14.5; Over/Under 55

Everything about this screams Gators. Florida excels at passing the ball. Virginia’s secondary is in shambles. Florida can get after the quarterback. Virginia’s offensive line isn’t exactly a strong point. But there’s just something about this team that tells me they can keep it close, if not win the game outright. Florida won’t think of this game as an afterthought like South Carolina did last season, but Virginia will still be the team with everything to play for.

Pick: Virginia +14.5

Tuesday

Belk Bowl
Virginia Tech Hokies vs. Kentucky Wildcats
Virginia Tech -2; Over/Under 46

I was totally wrong about the Wildcats who showed up and beat down their rival, Louisville, on Thanksgiving weekend. But this isn’t a rivalry game and the disappointment of Kentucky’s season still rings true. The Hokies on the other hand are trying to end the season on a high note after their loss to the Hoos. They were still the second best team in the Coastal and they’ll play like it.

Pick: VaTech -2

Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl
Florida State Seminoles vs. Arizona State Sun Devils
Florida State +4; Over/Under 54

I could be totally wrong about this, but I won’t make the same mistake with the Seminoles that I did with the Hurricanes. While I wanted to back Florida State all season, they continued to let me down. Not this time. Arizona State is still a program on the rise and will take every opportunity to take down a brand-name opponent.

Pick: Arizona State -4

Thursday

TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl
Boston College Eagles vs. Cincinnati Bearcats
Boston College +7; Over/Under 55.5

Ever since the shellacking they received at the hands of Kansas early in the season, I’ve been off the Eagles. Despite winning six games, Boston College didn’t necessarily impress me with four of their six wins coming against teams that didn’t even sniff bowl eligibility. Cincinnati on the other had was one of the best teams all season in what was a solid year for the American Athletic Conference. It does give me pause that this line opened at Cincy -4.5 and is all the way up to 7, but sometimes you just don’t second guess it.

Pick: Cincinnati -7

Record: 56-45-1