Week 9 in the ACC: Picks

Is it already Week 9 of the 2009 season?  My life is flying by.


North Carolina at #14 Virginia Tech
Line: VT -16.5

Both of these teams lost their last game (VT lost to GT on 10/17, and UNC blew a big lead to FSU on 10/24) but the Hokies are the ones coming off of a bye.  The Heels' offense is non-existent but their defense was supposedly alright until last week's debacle.  A few months ago, I might have been intrigued by this matchup, but now, not so much.  Virginia Tech is just a plain old a better team.  Pick: Virginia Tech


North Carolina State at Florida State
Line: FSU -9

NC State and Florida State are both pretty awful at 3-4, but Florida State has some momentum after overcoming an 18-point deficit last week to win their first conference game of the year.  The Wolfpack are still looking for their first, and they'll have trouble getting it.  By the numbers, Christian Ponder looks like he's having a better season than Russell Wilson.  FSU's defense looks suspect, but NC State's offense is also (outside of Wilson).  I'll go with the home team.  Pick: Florida State

Coastal Carolina at Clemson
No line, but if there was one, it would probably be Clemson -∞

Clemson's big win over Miami last weekend to take first place in the ACC Atlantic was not boring.  This one will be.  Pick: Clemson

Central Michigan at Boston College
Line: BC -5

Very interesting game here.  I'll tell you all about it on Friday.

#18 Miami at Wake Forest
Line: Miami -9

Brutal home loss for the Hurricanes last weekend in overtime.  I didn't think they'd lose, but they did.  With that being said, they are still a better team than Wake Forest.  Yes, Jacory Harris has thrown 10 picks this year, but Riley Skinner has thrown 9, and Harris's offense is still better overall.  His team's defense is better too.  I don't know if I like the idea of picking -9 for a road team that just took one on the chin, but neglecting the spread, I still will go with the ranked team.  Pick: Miami


Duke at Virginia
Line: UVA -7

The Cavaliers have been a little surprising after their awful 0-3 start, winning three of their last four games.  The Blue Devils, for their part, also ride into this matchup as a 2-1 conference team.  It's hard to believe, but the winner of this one will actually get themselves in the ACC Coastal conversation at 3-1 (though I expect neither one to win).  Duke has established a nice passing game though Virginia's defense is normally solid against the pass.  Aside from a few outbursts (like Indiana), Virginia's offense has been putrid, ranking very close to the bottom of FBS.  I envision a close, low-scoring game and I'm going for the upset.  Pick: Duke

#11 Georgia Tech at Vanderbilt
Line: GT -11.5

The Yellow Jackets have proven themselves to be one of the toughest teams in the ACC this year.  Vanderbilt, on the other hand, is one of the SEC's weakest.  Georgia Tech's triple-option offense has carved up a lot of defenses, and Vanderbilt's run D isn't that special.  The Commodores have a terrible offense as well, having thrown only three touchdown passes all year.  This game has a blowout feel to it.  Pick: Georgia Tech