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Well, this pigskin prognosticator is feeling a little down about his ACC Football picks at the moment…
There was a lot of talk about “Swag” and “Cred” last week…
But, much like the Miami Hurricanes showing in Manhattan, Kansas, in the end there really wasn’t that much to talk about following a sub-par 7-4 week.
So ole Woody enters at still a respectable 13-8 on the season in pickin’ the winners in ACC Football action against the spread.
But, let’s be honest, Week 3 better deliver.
Here we go with the big winners for the third week of ACC Football Action…
Bethune-Cookman Wildcats at Miami Hurricanes (NL) – Noon – ESPN3, XM/SIRIUS 192/136
Head Coach Al Golden talked a lot this week about his young team improving each week. Well, the 17 sophomores and freshman starting on defense should get their confidence back in a big way. Miami wins 52-17.
No. 13 Virginia Tech Hokies at Pittsburgh Panthers (+10) – Noon – ESPNU, XM/SIRIUS 85/85
In what will be a preview of a 2013 ACC Conference game, Pitt will probably be pumped and ready to show what it’s got. Unfortunately, the Panthers are just still too young. They will be ready to make its roar heard in 2014…. maybe. Hokies cover and win, 31-10.
Wake Forest Demon Deacons at No. 5 Florida State Seminoles (-27.5) – Noon – ESPN, XM/SIRIUS 190/93
This is a very interesting game. Wake getting 27.5 points against a team they have beaten 4 out of the last 5 years. This smells like a no-brainer, let’s cash out the retirement and hop on the next plane to Vegas to bet against FSU to cover. The ‘Nole have basically played a couple of AA high school teams to start the season and they haven’t even played a full 120 minutes to get to 2-0. But… yes… Not so fast my friend… FSU has way more talent on the field than do the Demon Deacons. Uuuuuggggghhhhhhh. FSU wins and COVERS, 48-17.
Connecticut Huskies at Maryland Terrapins (+3) – 12:30 p.m. – ACC Network, XM/SIRIUS 191/132
So the question… Is UConn a member of the ACC? Did somebody not send the memo? Anyway, Perry Hills will continue to improve and will look good against the Huskies in what many have called the Edsall Bowl as Maryland Head Coach Randy Edsall faces his old team and the program he built from scratch. Terps win, but do not cover, 31-28.
Furman Paladins at No. 11 Clemson Tigers (NL) – 3 p.m. – Regional Sports Networks, XM/SIRIUS 198/80
Well, the great news here is that the bars in Clemson will be killing it tonight and the tailgates will feature breakfast, mimosas, lunch, bourbon, snacks, beer, dinner and shots with the middle of the afternoon kick off. Sammy Watkins returns and goes for 984 total yards. Clemson wins, 114-3 (cause the defense has to give up some points, right?) Also, $10 to the first person not from South Carolina or the South in general that can tell anyone what a Paladin is…
Boston College Eagles at Northwestern Wildcats (-3.5) – 3:30 p.m. – Big Ten Network, SIRIUS 112
Northwestern has looked impressive to start the season and is giving up 3.5 to a BC team that knows how to score. This has all the makings of a great shootout if Eagles QB Chase Rettig can continue his big start to the season. BC will win a tough one on the road and cover, 48-45.
North Carolina Tar Heels at No. 19 Louisville Cardinals (-3) – 3:30 p.m. – ABC/ESPN2, XM/SIRIUS 85/85
The former offensive coordinator for the Florida Gators brings Fedora Ball on the road to face the former Florida Gators defensive coordinator in a huge non-conference game. Carolina seems to have all-everything sophomore RB Giovanni Bernard ready and healthy for Saturday. Bernard’s health and availability will be key. Carolina has the weapons to upset Louisville and that is exactly what the Heels will do, 27-24, in the push.
Virginia Cavaliers at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (-10) – 3:30 p.m. – ESPNU, XM/SIRIUS 190/93
This game has payback written all over it. The undefeated Yellow Jackets were clipped and beaten up last year at Virginia. Paul Johnson has not forgotten this. This is another game that Vegas is almost trying to lure you in to that sucker bet. But don’t be fooled, Georgia Tech will be ready, win and cover, 31-13.
South Alabama Jaguars at North Carolina State Wolfpack (-30.5) – 6 p.m. – ESPN3, SIRIUS 135
This game just smells of trouble for the Wolfpack and the ACC. The dreaded Sun Belt Conference on the road as a huge underdog against an NC State squad who is having some major confidence issues. The Jaguars also have a ton of former Alabama Crimson Tide, Georgia Bulldogs and other big program recruits who either couldn’t keep their eligibility or were to far down on the depth chart for to see playing time. At most SEC schools, the fifth guy can start anywhere else in the country. And the line is 30.5. No way State is covering this spread. Tom O’Brien will have to sweat this one out for the win, but will not come close to covering, 34-24.
North Carolina Central Eagles at Duke Blue Devils (NL) – 7 p.m. – ESPN3, SIRIUS 134
Not exactly the big nightcap the ACC was probably looking for, but it is the battle of Durham, North Carolina. For what that’s worth. Duke will work a lot on its running game and get the folks feeling great about Blue Devil Football. The big story here will hopefully be Duke’s Blair Holliday as he returns to see his teammates for the first time following his near fatal jet ski accident on July 4th. That’s the story. Duke wins, 49-21. The team wins bigger having Holliday with them.
So there’s the look into Woody’s Crystal Ball.
No jokes please…
We are bigger than this…
Oh stop it…..
Until next week….
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M. Shannon Smallwood has over 10 years experience in sports broadcasting, journalism and college athletics and currently covers ACC Football for Rant Sports.
Follow him @woodysmalls
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