October 23–24, 2026
We’re getting into the part of the college football season when contenders begin separating themselves from pretenders.
And right now, the ACC has one team that looks considerably better than everybody else.
Miami.
The Hurricanes are undefeated, ranked No. 1 nationally, and playing some of the best offensive football in the country.
But there’s plenty happening behind Miami.
Wake Forest continues to impress me, SMU remains dangerous, and Clemson is still trying to figure out what kind of football team it wants to be.
This weekend features seven conference matchups, including a Friday night doubleheader.
Here’s how I see things playing out.
🔥 DUKE AT VIRGINIA
Friday | 7:00 PM ET
This is an interesting matchup between two teams trying to regain some momentum.
Duke is coming off a disappointing loss to North Carolina, while Virginia struggled offensively against SMU.
The difference in this game could be Duke running back Nate Sheppard.
I’ve been watching Sheppard closely as a potential NFL prospect, and he’s becoming one of the more productive running backs in the country.
Duke needs to establish its running game and keep Virginia from dictating the tempo.
I expect a physical football game that comes down to the fourth quarter.
JB’S PICK: DUKE 27, VIRGINIA 24
🔥 NC STATE AT STANFORD
Friday | 10:30 PM ET
NC State hasn’t been particularly impressive this season, but this is a game the Wolfpack should win.
Stanford continues to struggle defensively, particularly against teams capable of generating explosive plays.
The Wolfpack have enough offensive weapons to take advantage of those weaknesses.
The biggest concern is the cross-country trip and the late kickoff.
But unless NC State beats itself with turnovers and penalties, I don’t see Stanford having enough to win.
JB’S PICK: NC STATE 34, STANFORD 21
🔥 PITTSBURGH AT NO. 1 MIAMI
Saturday | Noon ET
Miami is beginning to look like a legitimate national championship contender.
And I’m not talking about simply winning the ACC.
I’m talking about a team capable of beating anybody in the country.
Darian Mensah has been outstanding at quarterback. His accuracy, decision-making, and ability to distribute the football have made Miami’s offense extremely difficult to defend.
What impresses me most is how efficiently he processes information.
He rarely looks uncomfortable in the pocket, and he consistently finds the right matchup.
Pittsburgh has enough talent to make things interesting early, but I don’t believe the Panthers can match Miami’s offensive production for four quarters.
The Hurricanes should control this one.
JB’S PICK: MIAMI 41, PITTSBURGH 17
🔥 CALIFORNIA AT NO. 23 SMU
Saturday | Noon ET
SMU has quietly put together another impressive season.
The Mustangs are playing solid football on both sides of the ball, and their victory over Virginia demonstrated their ability to win games without needing an offensive shootout.
California, meanwhile, is coming off an embarrassing 41-7 loss to Wake Forest.
That’s not exactly the kind of performance that inspires confidence heading into Dallas.
SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings should have opportunities to exploit California’s secondary.
I expect the Mustangs to establish control early.
JB’S PICK: SMU 38, CALIFORNIA 17
🔥 BOSTON COLLEGE AT GEORGIA TECH
Saturday | 3:30 PM ET
Neither team has been particularly impressive this season.
Georgia Tech has struggled defensively, especially against the run, while Boston College has been inconsistent offensively.
This is one of those games where turnovers and field position could determine the outcome.
Boston College is coming off a victory over Pittsburgh, and I believe the Eagles have an opportunity to build on that performance.
Georgia Tech has the home-field advantage, but I don’t trust its defense enough to pick the Yellow Jackets.
JB’S PICK: BOSTON COLLEGE 27, GEORGIA TECH 24
🔥 VIRGINIA TECH AT CLEMSON
Saturday | 7:00 PM ET
JB’S GAME OF THE WEEK
I’ve been critical of Clemson this season, and I haven’t seen much to change my opinion.
The Tigers simply don’t have the offensive firepower we’ve become accustomed to seeing from Dabo Swinney’s program.
Quarterback play has been inconsistent, and Clemson has struggled to generate explosive plays.
Virginia Tech, meanwhile, has quietly become a dangerous football team under James Franklin.
Quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer has been impressive, and the Hokies have demonstrated the ability to move the football through the air.
Here’s what concerns me about Clemson.
The Tigers haven’t consistently demonstrated that they can win a game when they’re forced to throw the football.
Virginia Tech has the defensive personnel to make Clemson uncomfortable, and I believe the Hokies can exploit some weaknesses in the Tigers’ secondary.
Death Valley is never an easy place to win.
But I’m going with the Hokies.
JB’S PICK: VIRGINIA TECH 27, CLEMSON 20
🔥 SYRACUSE AT NORTH CAROLINA
Saturday | 7:30 PM ET
North Carolina is coming off an impressive victory over Duke, and the Tar Heels appear to be finding some consistency.
Syracuse has struggled defensively and hasn’t been able to put together four quarters of quality football.
The Orange have some offensive weapons, particularly receiver Umari Hatcher, but their inability to consistently protect the football and sustain drives has been a problem.
North Carolina should be able to control the tempo and take advantage of Syracuse’s defensive weaknesses.
I expect the Tar Heels to win comfortably.
JB’S PICK: NORTH CAROLINA 31, SYRACUSE 17
🏆 JB’S ACC WEEK 8 PICKS
MATCHUP
JB’S WINNER
Duke at Virginia
Duke
NC State at Stanford
NC State
Pittsburgh at Miami
Miami
California at SMU
SMU
Boston College at Georgia Tech
Boston College
Virginia Tech at Clemson
Virginia Tech
Syracuse at North Carolina
North Carolina
🎯 JB’S UPSET SPECIAL
VIRGINIA TECH OVER CLEMSON
I don’t believe Clemson is nearly as talented as its reputation suggests.
Virginia Tech has an opportunity to expose those weaknesses Saturday night.
🔥 TEAM TO WATCH
MIAMI HURRICANES
The Hurricanes are playing like a national championship contender.
Darian Mensah is putting together a remarkable season, and Miami has the offensive weapons to challenge anybody.
The biggest question is whether the Hurricanes can maintain that level of execution when they face a team capable of matching their athleticism.
📈 TEAM ON THE RISE
SMU MUSTANGS
Don’t overlook the Mustangs.
SMU continues to demonstrate that it belongs among the ACC’s better programs.
👀 TEAM UNDER THE MOST PRESSURE
CLEMSON TIGERS
Dabo Swinney has built a tremendous football program.
But that doesn’t mean Clemson should get a free pass for what we’re seeing on the field.
The Tigers haven’t looked like an elite football team, and another conference loss would only intensify the questions surrounding the direction of the program.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Miami is clearly the team to beat in the ACC.
But I wouldn’t completely dismiss Wake Forest or SMU as potential challengers.
What concerns me about the conference is the considerable gap between Miami and some of the programs that traditionally compete for championships.
Clemson is a perfect example.
The Tigers have the name, the tradition, and the recruiting reputation.
But championships aren’t won on reputation.
They’re won on the football field.
And right now, Miami is playing a different brand of football than most of the ACC.
