Week 10 in the ACC: Picks

OK, I've rejiggered my off-week schedule a little bit.  These will be the posts coming up on this blog in the next few days:

Right now: check the title
Tomorrow (night): BC hockey update
Saturday (night): ACC recap
Sunday: BC basketball preview

And then on Monday I return to the normal football posts as the Eagles get ready to face Virginia (and it looks as though I'll be doing a podcast with the guys over at BC Draft for that game, so stay tuned for that).  Now then, for the ACC picks:

#22 Virginia Tech at East Carolina
Line: VT -13

The Hokies are (almost) officially toast as far as the BCS goes, but they can still work on securing themselves a decent bowl game with a few more wins.  In this game, they take on the ECU Pirates and are, just like last week, big favorites.  East Carolina isn't a bad C-USA team, but they don't grab your attention, either.  I remember the Pirates taking the Hokies out last year, but I don't think it will happen this time.  The Pirates' QB (Pinkney) hasn't been impressive (8 TD, 9 INT) and the Hokies haven't lost three straight since 2003.  Pick: Virginia Tech

Virginia at #16 Miami
Line: Miami -13.5

After a brief surge back to .500, the Cavaliers have slid backwards again and now will face Miami at Land Shark/Dolphins/Pro Player/Joe Robbie Stadium.  Miami is a better team almost across the board statistically, especially when looking at offense (Virginia is close to dead last in total offense in FBS at 116th).  As expected, the Hurricanes are heavy favorites and should be able to follow up their comeback at Wake with another win here.  Pick: Miami

Maryland at North Carolina State
Line: NCST -6.5

Worst matchup of the ACC weekend right here; look no further.  I won't waste a lot of my precious time talking about this, except to say this: the Wolfpack are bad, but the Terrapins are worse.  Pick: NC State

Wake Forest at #10 Georgia Tech
Line: GT -15.5

The best team in the ACC right now are the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, and this weekend they host the Wake Forest Demon Deacons.  The Deacs choked up their last game in the 4th quarter last weekend and have played relatively poorly overall (4-5 record).  The Jackets' offense is just too good, and I don't think Wake will be able to keep up.  Pick: Georgia Tech

Duke at North Carolina
Line: UNC -10

This will be an interesting matchup in basketball for sure, but as for football, not quite as much.  There are a few interesting storylines, however; the paramount of which being Duke's 3-1 conference record and North Carolina's big win last week over Virginia Tech.  Thaddeus Lewis has done a great job leading Duke's offense this year, while North Carolina's defense has had a good season.  After thinking about it closely, I'm very tempted to just go with the favorite, but in a low-scoring game, I like Duke in another upset win on the road to keep themselves right in the thick of the ACC Coastal race.  Pick: Duke

Florida State at Clemson
Line: Clemson -8.5

For BC, this is the most important game of the weekend.  Clemson, with a win, can grab the ACC Atlantic lead by the neck, but Florida State has now won two games straight.  This is a big game for the Seminoles too, as they can give themselves an outside shot at the championship game with a win.  I am going with my heart and not my head here.  Whateva, whateva -- I do what I want!  Pick: Florida State