Rivalries, Road Tests and a Championship Contender
The SEC may have the bigger names this week, but the ACC has several dangerous games that could shake up the conference race.
Miami remains the team everyone is chasing, but Wake Forest, SMU and Duke all face games that could either strengthen their position or knock them backward.
Pitt at Boston College
Noon | ESPN2
Pitt was unbeaten before losing to North Carolina, but the bigger concern is the loss of starting quarterback Mason Heintschel for the season.
Boston College had a week off to prepare, and cold, wet conditions could turn this into an ugly, low-scoring game. Pitt has the better defense, but its offense is now a major question.
This feels like one of those strange ACC games where the favorite never gets comfortable.
JB’S PICK: Boston College 20, Pitt 17
Virginia at No. 24 SMU
Noon | The CW
Virginia has quietly put together a solid season, but this is a difficult matchup.
Kevin Jennings and the SMU passing attack are averaging more than 340 yards per game. Virginia has defended the pass well, but injuries in the secondary couldn’t have come at a worse time.
The Cavaliers must run the football, control the clock and keep Jennings standing on the sideline. They can keep it close, but SMU has too much offensive firepower at home.
JB’S PICK: SMU 31, Virginia 23
Charleston Southern at Clemson
Noon | ACC Network
Clemson desperately needs an offensive confidence boost.
The Tigers are averaging fewer than 20 points per game and haven’t scored more than 28 against anyone. That is hard to believe considering the talent Clemson has recruited.
Freshman quarterback Tait Reynolds played well against Miami despite the final score. This is an opportunity for him and the entire Clemson offense to find a rhythm.
If Clemson struggles offensively in this one, the concern level in Death Valley will rise even higher.
JB’S PICK: Clemson 38, Charleston Southern 13
North Carolina at Duke
3:30 p.m. | ESPN2
This is my ACC Game of the Week.
North Carolina is coming off a surprising road win over Pitt, while Duke is trying to recover from its loss to Georgia Tech.
The biggest factor will be Duke running back Nate Sheppard. He has rushed for 743 yards and eight touchdowns, and North Carolina has struggled to defend the run.
The Tar Heels need explosive plays from Billy Edwards Jr. because I don’t believe they can consistently win the line of scrimmage. Duke’s ability to run the football and control the clock will be the difference.
JB’S PICK: Duke 27, North Carolina 23
Georgia Tech at Virginia Tech
3:30 p.m. | ACC Network
Georgia Tech finally showed some fight by beating Duke, but now it has to prove that wasn’t a one-week performance.
Virginia Tech has lost two straight games by a combined seven points. The Hokies are better than their 1-2 conference record, but close losses eventually become a pattern if a team doesn’t learn how to finish.
Lane Stadium and Virginia Tech’s rushing attack should be enough to stop the slide, but I expect Georgia Tech to make the Hokies work for it.
JB’S PICK: Virginia Tech 31, Georgia Tech 24
Florida State at No. 3 Miami
7:00 p.m. | ESPN
The names make this look like the biggest game of the weekend. The teams do not.
Florida State has lost three games and was just embarrassed by Louisville. The Seminoles gave up 397 rushing yards and turned a 14-0 lead into a 44-20 loss.
Now they face Darian Mensah, who has completed more than 84 percent of his passes with 15 touchdowns and no interceptions.
Miami is rested, more talented and playing at home. Rivalry games can produce strange results, but Florida State has shown nothing that makes me believe it can stay with the Hurricanes for four quarters.
JB’S PICK: Miami 41, Florida State 17
Louisville at Syracuse
7:30 p.m. | ACC Network
Louisville may have finally discovered its identity.
The Cardinals rushed for 397 yards against Florida State, with Isaac Brown accounting for 235 of them. Syracuse has played several close games, but it remains winless in conference play.
The Dome can make this uncomfortable, but Syracuse must prove it can finish a game. Louisville’s running game should eventually wear down the Orange defense.
JB’S PICK: Louisville 34, Syracuse 23
Elon at Stanford
7:30 p.m. | ACC Network Extra
Stanford cannot overlook anybody.
The Cardinal just lost 58-7 to Notre Dame and has been outscored 249-94 this season. Elon running back Kamerin McDowell-Moore has already rushed for 941 yards and is capable of making this a four-quarter game.
Stanford should have the size and talent advantage, but this has upset potential if the Cardinal start slowly or turn the football over.
JB’S PICK: Stanford 27, Elon 24
No. 21 Wake Forest at California
10:30 p.m. | ESPN2
Don’t sleep on this late-night matchup.
Wake Forest is 5-1 and has developed into Miami’s biggest challenger in the ACC. Quarterback Gio Lopez has thrown 12 touchdowns against only one interception, and the Demon Deacons have allowed just 17 total points over their last two games.
Cal is dangerous at home and just beat Virginia Tech, but Wake Forest is playing better football on both sides of the ball. The cross-country trip is the concern, but good quarterback play travels.
JB’S PICK: Wake Forest 34, California 24
JB’S GAME OF THE WEEK
North Carolina at Duke
JB’S UPSET SPECIAL
Boston College over Pitt
JB’S STATEMENT GAME
Miami over Florida State
JB’S PLAYER TO WATCH
Nate Sheppard, Duke
JB’S DANGER GAME
Wake Forest at California
Miami is clearly the ACC’s best team right now, but the middle of this conference is unpredictable. That means Saturday won’t just separate contenders from pretenders—it could completely rearrange the conference race.
