ACC Football: Week One Staff Predictions


ACC Football kicks off the 2016 season this evening, as three games begin an exciting opening weekend across the college football landscape. Justin Cates, Jeff Greenberg, and Mike McDaniel provide their picks below to all 14 games on the slate. Will there be any surprises in the week one? Let’s find out.
 
Charlotte Vs. #19 Louisville (-39.5), 7:00 PM ET Thursday, ACC Network Extra

Cates: Louisville to win and cover

Greenberg: Louisville. Charlotte is going to pay for ordering too much Pizza Hut.

McDaniel: Louisville. They might almost cover this one in the first half.
 

Tulane Vs. Wake (-17), 7:00 PM ET Thursday, ACC Network Extra

Cates: Wake to win, Tulane to cover

Greenberg: Wake. If the ‘Deacs don’t win, then Clawson may want to learn the fine print of his contract.

McDaniel: Wake Forest, but it won’t be pretty. Tulane should cover in this one.
 

William & Mary Vs. NC State (NL)7:30 PM ET Thursday, ACC Network Extra

Cates: NC State to win

Greenberg: NC State. Bill and Mary may not have their top RB in this game, not that it would have helped.

McDaniel: NC State in a route. The mascot could suit up at quarterback for the ‘Pack and it wouldn’t matter.
 

Colgate Vs. Syracuse (NL)7:00 PM ET Friday, ACC Network Extra

Cates: Syracuse to win

Greenberg: Syracuse. New HC Dino Babers has always been more of a Crest guy.

McDaniel: Syracuse, but this could be one of the few wins on their schedule.
 

Liberty Vs. Virginia Tech (NL), 12:30 PM ET Saturday, ACC Network Extra

Cates: Virginia Tech to win

Greenberg: Virginia Tech. Come on…really?

McDaniel: Virginia Tech. Hokies should be able to rest their starters in the second half for the showdown against Tennessee next Saturday.
 

Georgia Tech (-3) Vs. Boston College (In Ireland), 7:30 AM ET Saturday, ESPN2

Cates: Georgia Tech to win and cover

Greenberg: GT. Boston guys like to drink, and there’s a LOT to drink in Dublin.

McDaniel: Georgia Tech by two touchdowns.
 

Villanova Vs. Pittsburgh (NL), 1:30 PM ET Saturday, ACC Network Extra

Cates: Pittsburgh to win

Greenberg: Pittsburgh. Nobody is beating Conner this week, nobody.

McDaniel: Pittsburgh. Narduzzi’s second season should get off to a nice start.
 

Richmond Vs. UVa (NL), 3:30 PM ET Saturday, ACC Network Extra

Cates: Richmond to win

Greenberg: UVa. Coach Ruff makes sure his DL destroys the Spiders’ OL.

McDaniel: UVa. Richmond will hang though, could be tricky down the stretch for the ‘Hoos.
 

#18 Georgia (-3) Vs. #22 North Carolina, 5:30 PM ET Saturday, ESPN

Cates: Georgia to win and cover

Greenberg: UNC. But UGA may still cover in a loss in a tight one.

McDaniel: UNC. Georgia is starting Greyson Lambert at QB; he’s good for a couple of turnovers that could be the difference in a shootout.
 

North Carolina Central Vs. Duke (NL), 6:00 PM ET Saturday, ACC Network Extra

Cates: Duke to win

Greenberg: Duke. The battle for the key to the city in Durham goes to the Blue Devils.

McDaniel: Duke. Cutcliffe’s teams are too well coached to lose to FCS schools.
 

Florida A&M Vs. Miami (NL),  6:00 PM ET Saturday, ACC Network Extra

Cates: Miami to win

Greenberg: Miami.  Richt didn’t come back to lose these chump games.

McDaniel: Miami. Too much talent despite all of the late summer losses on defense.
 

#2 Clemson (-7) Vs. Auburn, 9:00 PM ET Saturday, ESPN

Cates: Clemson to win and cover

Greenberg: Clemson. The battle of the Tigers could get ugly, real ugly…and the home crowd won’t like it.

McDaniel: Clemson. Auburn could hang early but I like Dabo’s squad to pull away and easily cover the spread down the stretch.
 

#11 Ole Miss Vs. #4 Florida State (-4.5) 8:00 PM ET Monday, ESPN

Cates: Florida State to win and cover.

Greenberg: FSU. Jimbo better have something “Cook”in’ with Dalvin and take the pressure off his QB.

McDaniel: Florida State. Francois will show that he’s for real at QB and the ‘Noles will show that the preseason hype is deserved. They’ll cover in a barn-burner.
 
 

Follow us on Twitter @jeffgberg, @MikeMcDanielACC, and @BestCates and follow @InsideTheACC for more Atlantic Coast Conference coverage.

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