Will's ACC Football Predictions

After a few mediocre weeks, I looked like a genius last week, going a perfect 6-0 for the first time. The overall record is 48-26. This week brings rivalry week. A lot of in state rivalries will be decided, plus the ACC Atlantic will be decided this week. The winner will take on Virginia Tech for the right to play in an insignificant bowl game.

 

These two former Big East foes meet again on Syracuse’s home turf. Both teams are pretty similar to each other. Neither are very proficient on offense, but are pretty stout defensively. The biggest concern in this game is Boston College being without all everything back Montel Harris. Freshman Andre Williams ran well in place of Harris last week against Virginia, rushing for 108 yards. Syracuse also has a strong running back. Delone Carter is a 1000 yard rusher for the Orange. I expect this game to be low scoring and brutal to watch, but the ACC will prevail in a close one. Boston College 17, Syracuse 13

Aside from state pride, there are some things on the line in this game. For one, Virginia Tech has the chance to run the table in ACC play. Also, Virginia needs to win to prevent this from becoming the Virginia Tech Invitational. While I want Virginia to pull the upset here, I just don’t see how Virginia’s defense can stop Virginia Tech’s running game on a consistent basis. It will be a Hokie win once again. Virginia Tech 38, Virginia 10

Another ACC-Big East tilt features two in state rivals. The Bulls are 6-4 and will be going to a bowl again this year. The Bulls are not very proficient on offense, but are pretty good on defense. Miami is coming off of a home loss to Virginia Tech, but are once again going to a bowl game, and with a win, will have an eight win season. I think Miami’s defense will be able to handle South Florida’s offense pretty effectively, and no matter the quarterback, Miami will be able to win pretty handily. Miami 31, South Florida 10

We have another Florida rivalry game, this one featuring the SEC and ACC. Florida is having a down year by their standards, with a 7-4 record to this point. There have been some issues on offense, which shouldn’t come as a surprise after everything Tim Tebow did for them in his time there. Florida State is 8-3 and are at the mercy of NC State as to who goes to the ACC Championship game next weekend. The Noles have the edge offensively and defensively, and will have the edge in this game as well. Florida State 27, Florida 23

There’s no pressure on NC State at all. No pressure at all, just a chance to go to Charlotte to take on Virginia Tech to represent the ACC in a meaningless bowl game. What’s in it for Maryland? Two things, one is to play the role of spoiler, the other is to win eight games in a season for the second time in three years, which is interesting considering how far the Terps fell last year. The key to this game is Maryland’s defense stopping NC State’s passing game.  If they can do that, Maryland can pull the upset. I think they will be able to do that to some extent, but not enough. I think NC State goes on the road and gets the job done. NC State 30, Maryland 20

This version of the rivalry isn’t as exciting as the basketball version, but it would be a nice appetizer to the basketball rivalry. Unlike the basketball version, UNC is the decided favorite in this game.  They are the better defensive team, but Duke is actually a better team on offense, but not by much. UNC’s defense will be the reason they win this game. UNC 24, Duke 17

The battle for South Carolina will be in primetime. South Carolina is 8-3 and gearing up for the SEC Championship game next week. Clemson is 6-5 and chugging along waiting for another meaningless bowl game. Clemson will have a tough test in front of them, with South Carolina freshman running back Marcus Lattimore looking like a Heisman winner in the making. South Carolina will probably run 35-40 times in the game, and control the clock. If Clemson can get some big plays from the offense, they will keep in the game. But I think The Gamecocks rushing attack will prove to be too much. South Carolina 24, Clemson 20

There is something at stake in this game aside from another win. The winner avoids a 10 loss season, which I guess is a small token of positivity. Vanderbilt is near the bottom in every major statistical category, ranking lower than 90^th in rushing and passing offense, along with points for and points against. Wake Forest’s stats are pretty close to that, although they are much better in the rushing department than Vanderbilt. And with that rushing attack, they will avoid that 10 loss season. Wake Forest 20, Vanderbilt 14

This is an interesting game here. Georgia Tech has a bowl game birth sewed up, but Georgia needs this game to gain bowl eligibility. Georgia Tech will want to win this game to prevent that from happening. Of course, they have the running game to do so. What Georgia does best is pass. Freshman Aaron Murray has played a lot more mature than a freshman, and will have some success picking through the Yellow Jacekts defense. This will be a close game, but the home team will get the win and bowl eligibility. Georgia 28, Georgia Tech 27