ACC Football Week 10 Predictions

After last week, it appears I am now in a bit of a slump. It was a 2-4 week for me, leaving me at 36-20 overall. This week brings us six conference games, which will be a difficult task to predict, considering how unpredictable the ACC is becoming again.

 

For the second straight week, the eyes of the college football world will be on the ACC for a great Thursday night game. This week features a Coastal division collision. Both of these teams had the week off last week in preparation for this game. Virginia Tech is the only team left in the ACC that is undefeated in the conference. Georgia Tech had a three game winning streak snapped at the hands of Clemson two weeks ago. One thing is for sure- these two teams like to run the football a lot.  Georgia Tech is the top rushing team in the country, while Virginia Tech is ranked 16^th. What separates these two is defense. Virginia Tech allows about four fewer points per game on average. And with this being a Thursday night game in Blacksburg, I’ll take the home team. Virginia Tech 31, Georgia Tech 17

This was a rare week when both teams won, although they both tried to choke their respective games away. Virginia’s upset of Miami was its first win over an ACC team in over a year.  Duke snapped a six game losing streak with a win over Navy. I still can’t trust Duke’s defense to stop anybody. They’ve allowed at least 27 points in every game this season, and are ranked 112^th in the country in points against. I think Virginia will be able to run effectively on Duke’s defense, and that will help them earn their third consecutive win. Virginia 31, Duke 24

NC State had a huge win last week, taking out Florida State. Now there’s the possibility of a letdown game here against a Clemson team that is now reeling after losing to Boston College. Andre Ellington is out for Clemson, and that will hurt them in the running game. The Tigers will need to rely on Jamie Harper a lot. I think that will hurt them offensively. I don’t think Russell Wilson will go off like he did against Florida State, but I think he will still have a good game. I think the road team wins here. NC State 27, Clemson 16

How many of you would have said before the season that Maryland will be bowl eligible before Miami? None of you did. We were all talking about how Ralph Friedgen would be fired after this season. And Maryland is still in the mix in the Atlantic division. Miami is still in it, but needs some help to get back in to the Coastal division picture. Miami is starting their fourth string quarterback, Stephen Morris, as Jacory Harris will miss this game due to injury. I don’t think the game plan will change too much from normal. Morris did show some ability to get the ball down the field when needed. Maryland’s offense is vastly better than last year, with Danny O’Brien having a vastly underappreciated season for the Terps. This game will be close, but I will give a slight advantage to the home team. Miami 24, Maryland 21

Before all of the academic issues popped up for UNC, I would have said that these two teams would be meeting again a month later. But that changed once all of the suspensions were handed down. The Heels are 5-3, but haven’t played that well the past two weeks, getting blown out by Miami, and having to come back and hold off William & Mary. And some of that can be contributed to TJ Yates, who has thrown three interceptions in his last two games. But they have to travel to Tallahassee to face a team that is hungry after coming very close to winning at NC State. The Noles are going to win, and somewhat comfortable. Florida State 34, North Carolina 20

How bad is the Wake Forest defense? In one word: very. Only three teams are worst than Wake Forest in terms of points allowed. Fortunately, the offense they are facing isn’t one that puts up a lot of points, as Boston College is 103^rd in the nation in points scored. But the Eagles can actually stop someone, unlike Wake Forest. I see a road win in what will be somewhat of a boring game. Boston College 24, Wake Forest 10