ACC Football Betting Preview: Week 9

For the first time all season, we have all 14 ACC teams in action on a singleSaturday. We’ve got great ACC games and some intriguing non-conference games as well highlighted by Bronco Mendenhall’s return to Provo. As predicted, last week put me in a hole I’ve gotta come back from, but three games under 0.500 isn’t the end of the world. Head on over to DraftKings Sportsbook and join in on the fun.

Miami Hurricanes @ Pittsburgh Panthers
Pitt -9; Over/Under 61

Thanks to Miami’s win over NC State and Pitt’s own W over Clemson, the Panthers are this week’s darling of the ACC (though a team down in Winston Salem may have something to say about that). Pitt was dominating in their win over the Tigers in a game where the final score was closer than the game actually was. However, this is as big a let-down spot at they come. I thought Pitt might be looking ahead to Clemson when they took down VaTech, but they rolled. Now coming off a huge win, I think the Hurricanes can catch them off guard. Tyler Van Dyke has looked good in recent weeks and he can get his squad enough big plays to at least get a back-door cover.

Pick: Miami +9

Virginia Tech Hokies @ Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Georgia Tech -4; Over/Under 55.5

As I’m writing this, I’m still searching all over to make sure this line isn’t a misprint. And even as I’ve confirmed it’s real, I can’t believe Georgia Tech is not only favored over the Hokies, but they’re favored by more than a field goal. There’s a reason I’m not very good at this betting thing, but there’s no way I’m laying four points with the Yellow Jackets over the Hokies. Virginia ran all over Georgia Tech a week ago and the Hoos aren’t even that good on the ground. VaTech will have a field day running on the Jackets and their defense will provide enough pressure to keep Georgia Tech close.

Pick: VaTech +4

Boston College Eagles @ Syracuse Orange
Syracuse -6; Over/Under 51.5

In another case of doing a double-take at the spread, I can’t bring myself to believe the Orange are favored, and by almost a touchdown over Boston College. The other thing about these last two lines is the logic is off. It seems as if Vegas is giving Syracuse credit for beating a good VaTech team and at the same time dinging the Hokies for losing to a bad Orange squad. It can’t really be both at the same time, can it? BC really let me down in their loss to Louisville last week, but I’m still a believer. They need to get back to playing solid defense and at least stifle the Syracuse ground game. I think they can and ultimately, it’s too many points for two teams that are evenly matched.

Pick: Boston College +6

Florida State Seminoles @ Clemson Tigers
Clemson -9; Over/Under 48

Last week, I took the under in the Clemson/Pitt game at 48 and unlike the Seminoles, the Panthers can actually score. Clemson’s offense has been atrocious and perhaps Florida State is a “get right game.” But we’ve been waiting for a “get right game” all season and it hasn’t come.

Pick: Under 48

Duke Blue Devils @ Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Wake Forest -16; Over/Under 71.5

Look over there! Wake just scored on Army again. I really messed up that pick. Who knew Army didn’t have the ability to stop anybody. Speaking of not being able to stop anyone, enter the Duke Blue Devils. Wake Forest will win this game easily, but Duke is good enough on offense that they can sneak in a few cheap scores when it doesn’t matter.

Pick: Duke +16

North Carolina Tar Heels @ Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Notre Dame -3.5; Over/Under 62

While it hasn’t been pretty, Notre Dame is still 6-1. That being said, their loss to Cincinnati has all but eliminated them from College Football Playoff contention. North Carolina meanwhile is limping along at 4-3 but for some reason I still like the Tar Heels. There’s just too much talent on this team and nothing Notre Dame does impresses me. While it hasn’t been the season they’ve wanted, UNC is still a proud bunch and a win over Notre Dame will still get the fan base excited. I think they pull off the upset and Chapel Hill can care about football for one last week before basketball starts.

Pick: UNC +3.5

Louisville Cardinals @ N.C. State Wolfpack
N.C. State -6; Over/Under 56

And just as soon as they rise to the top of the ACC power rankings, they fall back to earth. Welcome to life in the ACC N.C. State. The Wolfpack couldn’t get the job done against a desperate Miami squad a week ago and now they get a visit from the Cardinals coming in with a hot offense. Louisville is a couple plays away from being 5-2 or even 6-1. I’m thinking this one’s a shoot out despite N.C. State boasting one of the best defenses in the conference. Under seven points, I do like the Wolfpack to cover, but could also see a back and forth game decided by four points one way or another. Give me the over.

Pick: Over 56

Virginia Cavaliers @ BYU Cougars
Virginia +2.5; Over/Under 65

Another game where I expect plenty of scoring. The Cavaliers are being really cooperative with a high powered offensive attack and a defense that gives up big plays in bunches. BYU will be able to move the ball on the Hoos and the Cougar fans won’t recognize the defense (or lack thereof) their old coach trots out. While I’d love to pick the Hoos to win it, I’ve gotta look at the total once again and will take the over.

Pick: Over 65

Record: 26-29