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Just like the ACC this season, betting has been anybody’s guess. Nevertheless, sitting at .500 on the year at this stage isn’t terrible. Let’s see if we can get back in the black with a small but juicy ACC betting slate.
Duke Blue Devils @ Virginia Cavaliers
Virginia -10.5; Over/Under 69.5
Don’t look now, but Virginia is 4-2 and two wins from bowl eligibility. It speaks to the fickleness of college football though as they’re two last-second field goals away from being 2-4. The way I see it, they’re not be as good as a 4-2 team, but they’re better than a 2-4 team. Duke is a surprising 3-3, so this game should be a good one. Just like my write up last week, I expect Virginia to try to control the game more than they have and take advantage of a suspect Duke run defense. They key will be turnovers. If Virginia can limit the turnovers and keep Duke from getting easy points, they should be able to control the game from jump and come away with the win. For that reason, I like the under once again feeling as though the total is just too many points.
Pick: Under 69.5
Pittsburgh Panthers @ Virginia Tech Hokies
VaTech +5; Over/Under 56
I think Pitt is a very good team and one of the best in the ACC. Their loss to Western Michigan is a head-scratcher, but we shouldn’t be surprised if we know anything about a Pat Narduzi-led team. Kenny Pickett has been great this season, but they haven’t faced a defense as good as the Hokies. VaTech isn’t fantastic offensively and will have a hard time scoring against the Panthers, but they’re at home in a tough environment for anyone.
Pick: VaTech +5
Miami Hurricanes @ North Carolina Tar Heels
North Carolina -7.5; Over/Under 63.5
In my season win totals column, I actually had Miami pulling off the upset in this game. Despite losing by 10 to Florida State last week, I think think North Carolina is the much better team here. I may continue to get burned betting the Heels, but something tells me they still get the cover.
Pick: North Carolina -7.5
North Carolina State @ Boston College Eagles
Boston College +3; Over/Under 51
Just looking at the line, I think NC State is laying a few too many points. These teams are fairly close to being equal, so you’d expect the game in Chestnut Hill to be a pick or even BC -1. But the total is the play in this game. Both teams have good, not great offenses but get it done on the defensive side of the ball. It should be a slugfest where one or two mistakes by a team will decide the outcome.
Pick: Under 51
Record: 22-22