It’s Week Seven already across college football, and we are officially at the halfway point in the season. We are starting to get into the heat of the ACC schedule now, and it’ll be interesting to see how things pan out in the second half of the season across the conference. But first, an updated look at the standings after Week Six.
Joey: 50-11 (.819)
Justin: 49-12 (.803)
Mike: 48-13 (.786)
Grant*: 40-12 (.769)
Jeff*: 38-12 (.760)
Let’s get to Week Seven picks…HERE. WE. GO.
Saturday, October 13th
Duke (4-1, 0-1 ACC) at Georgia Tech (3-3, 1-2 ACC) (-2.5), 12:20 PM ET on ACC Network
Grant: This is most intriguing game on the ACC slate this week, in my opinion. Georgia Tech comes in hot after scoring 66 points on Louisville last time out, whereas Duke lost to Virginia Tech and then had a bye. I think the Blue Devils pull it out, but I’m much less confident than I would have been two weeks ago.
Joey: This feels like one of the biggest coin flip games of the season to me. I have no feel for what will happen here, with a whole lot of factors working in both directions. Duke has already faced an option team and is coming off of a bye week, but Daniel Jones’ health is still in question. Georgia Tech has absolutely smoked two opponents in a row and typically performs well in its Homecoming game under Paul Johnson, but has yet to look particularly good against a functional defense. Neither team has a win better than this one would be. On this week’s episode of Basketball Conference, I asked Siri to flip a coin, and it came up Georgia Tech. That’s the best I’ve got. Would really recommend not betting this game unless you intend to treat it like betting red or black on the roulette wheel.
Jeff: Yeesh. Two weeks ago Duke was ranked and Yellow Jacket fans moved on from Paul Johnson. Now Georgia Tech is favored? My “upset” pick of the week has the Blue Devils’ defense winning this game.
Justin: This is a really tricky one. I’m picking Duke with an extra week off to prepare, but the Yellow Jackets will give them fits with the ol’ flexbone attack. The downside is that GT hasn’t beaten any decent opponents and while they’ll keep it close, I just think Duke has too many weapons.
Mike: COIN FLIP GAME OF THE WEEK!!!!! I have Georgia Tech here between two teams that I still don’t really have a clue about.
Louisville (2-4, 0-3 ACC) at Boston College (4-2, 1-1 ACC) (-13), 12:30 PM ET on ACC Network Extra
Grant: Louisville is just a mess right now. We knew they would struggle without Lamar Jackson, but GEEZ it’s bad. Boston College hopes to get AJ Dillon back, and if they do, he should run all over a poor Cardinals defense. Even if the Eagles are cautious and hold Dillon out, Boston College still wins by a large margin.
Joey: Louisville is soft and quitting, and Boston College is going to be playing angry after a frustrating loss to NC State last week. If AJ Dillon is playing this is in the bag — if not, it still feels like a good bet. Just make sure Anthony Brown isn’t turning the ball over 4 times.
Justin: Louisville is dreadful and they can’t even afford to fire their coach because of his massive contract and their distinct lack of tainted pizza money these days. Even without A.J. Dillion who’s still day-to-day with an ankle injury, BC lost by one score to a ranked NC State club. They should back on track with a win regardless of Dillion’s health.
Mike: Louisville is so, so, so, so bad. Boston College has sputtered over the last month, but they are back home today. A.J. Dillon or not, they should win here over a bad Louisville team.
Pittsburgh (3-3, 2-1 ACC) at #5 Notre Dame (6-0) (-21), 2:30 PM ET on NBC
Grant: Notre Dame may have the easiest path to the Playoff of any team in the country. They have some weaknesses, but I’m not sure there is a team left in their schedule that will be able to expose them. They have a very good chance of running the table, and they will start with a win this week.
Joey: Notre Dame’s TV contract with NBC is really doing them no favors this week, as all it means is that they’ll still be committing crimes, but this time on national television. This one should get ugly in a hurry.
Jeff: Pitt showed some life last week. But the Irish showed they are a well-oiled machine in Blacksburg. The machine rolls on this week. Notre Dame wins.
Justin: Pittsburgh surprised many (myself included) when they knocked off Syracuse in overtime last week. They showed encouraging signs, but they lost their top defensive player to injury and Notre Dame looks really dangerous right now. Irish win comfortably.
Mike: Some people are likening this game for Pittsburgh to their game against Miami last year. Only one problem with that: Notre Dame isn’t losing this game…especially at home. Irish BIG.
#16 Miami (5-1, 2-0 ACC) (-7) at Virginia (3-2, 1-1 ACC), 7:00 PM ET on ESPN2
Grant: This is another game where the line seems a bit suspicious to me. I know Miami has not really beaten anyone yet, but UVA’s schedule has been softer than a memory-foam pillow. NC State is the only good team they have played, and they lost by 14. Miami covers easily.
Joey: This feels like Letdown City, population: Miami. After an emotional, comeback rivalry game win last week at home, they now go on the road to….Scott Stadium. Not exactly a hornet’s nest here. UVA put a scare into Miami last year, and have looked improved this year with a few clear weapons on offense and a solid defense. Miami has a lot more physical ability across the board and, by all accounts, should be the better team. The big concern becomes whether or not the ‘Canes can get up for this game. I’m going to say they win and barely cover, but don’t be shocked if this starts to go sideways and gets extremely weird.
Jeff: The flashy turnover chain in Charlottesville makes for an interesting picture. Miami’s offense should take another stride forward this week. The Hurricanes go home with the W.
Justin: Miami’s narrow victory against Florida State showed that they’re still a vulnerable team. UVA actually has the better quarterback and will create some interesting match ups at the skill positions. I’m picking the upset here because I’ve come back to doubting Miami a bit and I won’t make the picks I’m expected to. WILDCARD!
Mike: Miami presents too many problems for Virginia defensively in this football game, but I wouldn’t touch this spread. Give me the Canes by 7-10 points here in Charlottesville.
Virginia Tech (3-2, 2-0 ACC) (-6) at North Carolina (1-3, 1-1 ACC), 7:00 PM ET on ESPNU
Grant: I’m a little nervous about this game because of the line. I think the line seems low, and usually when I disagree with Vegas on a line, Vegas is right. I’m not sure if they know something I don’t, but UNC looks to be struggling pretty mightily. I’ll take the Hokies to win and cover.
Joey: Having a really hard time understanding this line. Virginia Tech is head and shoulders above UNC at this point. Even with a backup quarterback and coming off a tough loss to Notre Dame, the Hokies should win this game comfortably.
Jeff: Is the game interesting? Vegas thinks so. QB play will be interesting to watch. If it goes sideways for the Hokies, remind me to tell you what this match-up reminds me of from the past. VT wins.
Justin: The Hokies made myriad mistakes in a loss to Notre Dame last week. That’s what youth will get you and Carolina will have their own youth on display, including another possible quarterback. This game hasn’t been close since Justin Fuente came to Tech and while I think this one is more competitive, the Hokies should win.
Mike: Out of all of the ACC games this week, this one might be my lock. Virginia Tech looked encouraging throughout a good portion of the game last Saturday against Notre Dame, and I think they will take the positives of that game into this week’s road match-up against North Carolina. Give me the Hokies comfortably in Chapel Hill.