Howard Smith-US PRESSWIRE
The ACC has a full slate of games this weekend. There is a high profile matchup or two on Saturday, but there will also be a few snoozers that fans will be able to skip.
Last week I did fairly well with my picks, finishing Saturday with a 9-2 record. Maryland really surprised me with their road win over Temple, and North Carolina ended up losing a thriller of a game against Wake Forest. My record for the season to date is 18-3 (.857 winning percentage).
Let’s get to the week 3 picks!
The Demon Deacons were able to upset the Seminoles last season in Winston-Salem and have won four of the last six matchups in this Atlantic Division showdown. I don’t think it will be the same result this time around. FSU is too talented and have too much motivation to win this one. Pick: FSU over Wake Forest
Bethune-Cookman vs. Miami
The Hurricanes looked atrocious last week in their loss to Kansas State. The defense couldn’t stop the Wildcats and the offense couldn’t get anything going. It won’t be the same this week. Miami hasn’t been very good this season, but they should be good enough to beat these Wildcats. Pick: Miami over Bethune-Cookman
These two will play again next year as Coastal Division opponents, but for now, this Panthers-Hokies tilt is an ACC-Big East showdown this time around. The Panthers have beaten the Hokies in their last three matchups, but it has been almost a decade since the last time these two played (2003). Pitt has fallen off and Virginia Tech has stayed consistently good. Pick: Virginia Tech over Pitt
This is being called the Edsall bowl because it is between head coach Randy Edsall’s current team in Maryland and his former team, UConn. Edsall didn’t leave the Huskies on good terms and UConn has all the motivation in the world to humiliate their former coach. It will take more than a win over Temple to make me believe in the Terrapins. Pick: UConn over Maryland
Furman vs. Clemson
Clemson has looked very good in their first two games. The defense could still use some work but the offense is humming and star receiver Sammy Watkins is returning from his two game suspension. Furman doesn’t stand a chance in this one. Pick: Clemson over Furman
Virginia vs. Georgia Tech
The Cavaliers were able to upset the Yellow Jackets last year in Charlottesville, but Virginia is coming off a very ugly win over Penn State and Georgia Tech simply needs this game more. The Jackets can’t fall to 0-2 in conference play with losses to Virginia Tech and Virginia and still compete for the Coastal Division. Pick: Georgia Tech over UVa
Boston College vs. Northwestern
Boston College is one of the worst teams in the ACC and Northwestern may be a surprise in the Big 10 this season. The Wildcats (there are too many teams named the Wildcats) have already recorded two solid wins against Syracuse and Vanderbilt. The Eagles should be able to keep this close, but Northwestern will prove to be too much. Pick: Northwestern over Boston College
As of now, fans don’t really know what they are going to get from the Tar Heels from week to week. In week 1 they were unstoppable against Elon and in week 2 they were slightly overmatched by Wake Forest. On the other hand, Louisville is the lone team carrying the banner for the Big East and they have looked good in their first two games. After UNC let me down against Wake I can’t pick them to win on the road this week. Pick: Louisville over UNC
South Alabama vs. North Carolina State
NC State has looked atrocious in their first two games. In week 1 they lost to Tennessee and they beat UConn by a score of 10-7 last week. A date with South Alabama might be what the doctor ordered to get the Wolf Pack’s offense back on track. Pick: NC State over S. Alabama
North Carolina Central vs. Duke
The Blue Devils took a pounding last week from Stanford. Duke was simply overmatched by the Cardinal. If Duke is to have any chance at postseason play this year then they must win their final two non-conference games. That starts against NC Central. Pick: Duke over NC Central
