Another exciting week of ACC football action is ahead, with nine games across the slate this weekend. Mike, Justin, and Jeff are back with their weekend picks for all of the exciting football action.
Virginia (2-9, 1-6 ACC) Vs. Virginia Tech (8-3, 5-2 ACC), 12:00 PM ET Saturday, ESPN2
Line: VT -18.5
Cates: Tech wins and legitimizes their Coastal Division crown. I think UVA might cover, but my calls on that are breathtakingly bad.
Greenberg: VT will win this and comfortably too as they look to build momentum into the ACCCG. I think they cover.
McDaniel: With UNC losing on Friday, the Hokies have already wrapped up the Coastal Division. They may rest the starters in the fourth quarter with a lead, giving senior backup quarterback Brenden Motley his swan song in Lane Stadium. In fact, many of the starters could sit late, leading to Virginia finding a way to back door cover 18.5. Hokies win comfortably though.
Georgia Tech (7-4, 4-4 ACC) @ Georgia (7-4), 12:00 PM ET Saturday, SEC Network
Line: UGA -4.0
Cates: I like Georgia Tech in this one. Justin Thomas is quite good when healthy and the Yellow Jackets appear to be hitting their stride at the right time.
Greenberg: Georgia Tech will pull off the upset between The Hedges. Paul Johnson will make the calls that catch the Bulldog defense unaware.
McDaniel: I also like Georgia Tech here in an upset. That Georgia offense just hasn’t been very good this year. Offensive line play has been an issue and I think they’ll struggle today against an improving Georgia Tech defense.
Kentucky (6-5) Vs. #11 Louisville (9-2, 7-1 ACC), 12:00 PM ET Saturday, ESPN
Line: Louisville -26.5
Cates: This game should be a good one and easily the best edition of the bluegrass state rivalry in quite some time. Louisville has the edge with Lamar Jackson, though the Cardinals will be smarting after last week’s loss.
Greenberg: I like Louisville in the game but they will not cover that many points. Kentucky may even make this one closer than Petrino will like.
McDaniel: Louisville wins and covers. I think they will be on a mission following their upset loss to Houston.
Syracuse (4-7, 2-5 ACC) Vs. Pittsburgh (7-4, 4-3 ACC), 12:30 PM ET Saturday, ACC Network
Line: Pitt -24.5
Cates: Pitt should win without too much trouble. The Orange have shown plenty of promise this season, but injuries have caught up a bit lately. The Panthers could be positioned in a logjam of 8-4 teams come bowl selection time.
Greenberg: If Dungey plays, Syracuse will cover the points in a loss. If not, all bets are off but Pitt wins this either way.
McDaniel: I’m not sure Dungey plays for Syracuse, and I’m not sure if it would matter anyway. Pittsburgh has been on fire in November and I like them to cover here.
Boston College (5-6, 1-6 ACC) Vs. Wake Forest (6-5, 3-4 ACC), 3:00 PM ET Saturday, ACC Network
Line: Wake Forest -3.0
Cates: Wake wins to deny BC a bowl game. The Demon Deacons have been struggling down the stretch, but the Eagles are the cure for what ails them.
Greenberg: Wake will close out a great rebound season and cover the points in a win.
McDaniel: Wake wins. I’m with these guys, not sure BC has enough offense (surprise).
Duke (4-7, 1-6 ACC) Vs. Miami (7-4, 4-3 ACC), 3:30 PM ET Saturday, ESPN2
Line: Miami -14.0
Cates: Miami will win to get to eight wins in Mark Richt’s first season in charge. A victory here and in a bowl game would qualify as a full-fledged success.
Greenberg: Miami will send Duke home and leave them out of the the bowl season. However, Duke will rebound from last week to cover the points.
McDaniel: Miami is just a better team right now. They win and cover on Senior Day.
South Carolina (6-5) Vs. #4 Clemson (10-1, 7-1 ACC), 7:30 PM ET Saturday, ESPN
Line: Clemson -25.5
Cates: Clemson by about 14 over a game South Carolina club. This is usually a fun game despite any talent discrepancy.
Greenberg: Clemson will win this game…again. But the Gamecocks will only lose by 21 points, therefore covering the points.
McDaniel: Talent gap. Clemson wins, and I actually like them to cover that huge spread.
#15 Florida (8-2) Vs. #14 Florida State (8-3, 5-3 ACC), 8:00 PM ET Saturday, ABC
Line: FSU -7.5
Cates: Florida is a tricky team to pick all of a sudden. They’re clearly capable of the win here, but I’m taking an FSU team that’s really only a couple of field goals away from being 10-1.
Greenberg: I think a field goal will decide this game and it will be the Seminoles who win but the Gators who cover.
McDaniel: Florida has zero offense. They have a great defense though that should keep it close. I like the Seminoles to win and barely, just barely, cover.
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