Week 3 in the ACC: Picks

Prediction time!

Warning: My prognostications are usually wrong and should be taken with a grain of salt.  Actually they should be taken with a whole damn salt shaker, which I have provided for you; that's how bad I am at this.  I'm going to guess anyway, because I have a blog and that's what bloggers do.

#14 Georgia Tech at #20 Miami (-5.5)

Both teams have looked pretty good in the early going this season; Georgia Tech putting together a 2-0 start while Miami of course won that thriller in Tallahassee. The 'Canes are the favorites at home, but I really like this Yellow Jackets team this year. Miami will be rested but GT will want to avoid another near-disaster. I expect a close battle but I am going with the higher-ranked road team. Pick: Georgia Tech

East Carolina at #24 North Carolina (-7.5)

East Carolina may have taken out Virginia Tech last year, but that was then and this is now. Across the board, North Carolina's offensive rankings aren't all that great, but the Pirates' defense is similarly as shaky. ECU's offense is not very potent and if UNC plays some defense like they did last week, then they should move to 3-0. Pick: North Carolina

Boston College at Clemson (-7)

Wait 'til Friday!

Duke at #22 Kansas (-22.5)

This one has bloodbath written all over it. Kudos for scheduling a tough opponent, but yeah, not happening. Pick: Kansas

Middle Tennessee State at Maryland (-6)

The fact that the Terps are only 6-point favorites over Middle Tennessee State at home should tell you how unimpressive they have looked in their first two games. Against both California and James Madison, Maryland got outplayed, despite having won the latter game. I don't know if this will be their third stinker in a row, but I suspect it won't be. MTSU may make a game of it anyway. Pick: Maryland


#19 Nebraska at #13 Virginia Tech (-5)

One of the premier matches of the weekend involves an ACC team and a program with history (not much of which is recent). Again, kudos to the Hokies for scheduling some tough non-conference opposition, and this one I think they might win. Nebraska, on the other hand, hasn't really played much of anyone yet and who knows if they're ready for prime time. This one, to me, is very close. Pick: Virginia Tech

Virginia at Southern Miss (-17)

Loss to William and Mary, loss to TCU...the Cavaliers are most likely going to go down to Hattiesburg and get their doors blown off. The question is not if Virginia is going to lose: it's how much longer will Al Groh be the coach? Pick: Southern Miss


Gardner-Webb at NC State (-28)

This kinda feels to me like one of those TOB "we ought to win this one going away but we're going to make this one a lot closer than it has to be" kind of games. Call it a hunch (or history repeating itself). I figure NC State will win but that margin probably won't be as big as last week (duh). Pick: NC State

Elon at Wake Forest (-22)



I like Elon's logo and think they're a fine FCS team (ranked #11), but I don't like their chances. I have a feeling they're going to hang in there against Wake, however. Pick: Wake Forest

  

Florida State at #7 Brigham Young (-7)

I don't really like the Seminoles in this game. They blew a game to Miami late and then looked very unimpressive in their win over Jacksonville State. Now they have to play the #7 team in the country who have stared down better opponents than them. The Cougars' win streak at home should continue. Pick: BYU

Prediction: ACC goes 5-3 in non-conference games