By Dane Miller, SuperWest Sports
ACC college football continues in Week 13 with 10 games.
I preview all of them here, breaking down what’s at stake and what both teams must do to win.
Last week, I went 4-2 straight up, hitting 67% of my predictions. That gives me a 68-31 conference record, good for a 69% success rate on the season.
My picks for this week, both against the spread and straight up, are included with each breakdown as summarized in the table below.
NC State at Georgia Tech
Friday, November 22
4:30 pm PT, ESPN
BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Georgia Tech -8.5
What’s at Stake: Georgia Tech is coming off a bye after beating Miami earlier in the month.
The Yellow Jackets are tied with Louisville and Syracuse in the ACC Standings. NC State, on the other hand, has just two conference wins but is one victory away from bowl eligibility.
A convincing Georgia Tech win would underline the distinction between the “Haves” and the “Have Nots” in the ACC.
Why NC State Wins: The front seven contains Haynes King when he runs.
Why Georgia Tech Wins: King runs the offense efficiently, getting what he wants both through the air and on the ground.
—My Picks—
Against Spread: Georgia Tech
Straight Up: Georgia Tech
Wake Forest at No. 9 Miami
Saturday, November 23
9:00 am PT, ESPN
BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Miami -23.5
What’s at Stake: Miami is coming off a bye after losing to Georgia Tech.
The Hurricanes are tied with Clemson for second place in the ACC Standings. The chances of the ACC getting an at-large bid appear low, making all the remaining contests elimination games.
The Canes need to show they are back on track.
Why Wake Forest Wins: The defense contains Cam Ward when he scrambles and limits explosive plays from the Miami running backs.
Why Miami Wins: The multifaceted options on offense combine to create a potent unit that scores on most of its possessions.
—My Picks—
Against Spread: Miami
Straight Up: Miami
No. 14 SMU at Virginia
Saturday, November 23
9:00 am PT, ESPN2
BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: SMU -9.5
What’s at Stake: SMU’s matchup on the road at Virginia is arguably the ACC’s Game of the Week.
The Playoff is on the line for the Mustangs and they struggled in their most recent away game. It’s the first time SMU has played outside of Dallas since the end of October.
And it’s also the third-straight game in which Virginia faces a ranked opponent. The Upset Potential is oozing.
Why SMU Wins: Kevin Jennings opens up the entire offense due to his threat to run or pass and the SMU running backs take advantage of the hesitant defense.
Why Virginia Wins: The defensive line wins the physicality battle to stifle the traditional run game and contain the quarterback run plays.
—My Picks—
Against Spread: Virginia
Straight Up: SMU
UConn at Syracuse
Saturday, November 23
9:00 am PT, ACC Network
BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Syracuse -10.5
What’s at Stake: The Orange are coming off a great win on the road to California.
The season has been somewhat up and down for Syracuse, yet they are on the brink of a historic eight-win season. UConn played Duke and Wake Forest close.
The Orange can’t overlook this game.
Why UConn Wins: The secondary creates multiple interceptions and the front seven keeps the Syracuse run game below its average.
Why Syracuse Wins: The offensive line provides the time Kyle McCord needs to run the offense smoothly.
—My Picks—
Against Spread: UConn
Straight Up: Syracuse
North Carolina at Boston College
Saturday, November 23
9:00 am PT, The CW
BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: North Carolina -3.5
What’s at Stake: It’s a clash of momentum when North Carolina heads to Boston to face the Eagles.
Boston College played SMU much closer than anyone was anticipating and some of the credit belongs to Grayson James. The backup quarterback stepped up after Thomas Castellanos quit the team.
But North Carolina has belief, too, coming into the game with three-straight wins.
Why North Carolina Wins: The offensive line creates the push for the run game to be efficient and the defense doesn’t allow explosive quarterback run plays.
Why Boston College Wins: James doesn’t commit any turnovers and the defense gets stops on short-yardage third down plays.
—My Picks—
Against Spread: Boston College
Straight Up: North Carolina
Charleston Southern at Florida State
Saturday, November 23
10:30 am PT, ESPN+
BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: No Line
What’s at Stake: Florida State faces a Charleston Southern team that is 1-10 on the year.
The FCS opponent has been reasonably competitive in its games, though. Three of the last four defeats have come by a single possession.
Nobody is paying attention to the Seminoles anymore. But anything less than a dominant win would be a problem.
Why Charleston Southern Wins: The defensive front prevents FSU from establishing their ground game.
Why Florida State Wins: The lines on both sides of the ball win their battles all game.
—My Picks—
Against Spread: No Line
Straight Up: Florida State
The Citadel at No. 20 Clemson
Saturday, November 23
12:30 pm PT, The CW
BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: No Line
What’s at Stake: The Citadel are a 5-6 FCS school that has won three of its last four games.
Clemson needed a late score to beat Pitt last week and is returning home after a two-game road stretch.
The Tigers lost the last time they played on their home field.
Why The Citadel Wins: The offensive and defensive lines match the physicality of Clemson.
Why Clemson Wins: The offense gets whatever it wants through the air and ground.
—My Picks—
Against Spread: No Line
Straight Up: Clemson
Stanford at Cal
Saturday, November 23
12:30 pm PT, ACC Network
BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: California -14
What’s at Stake: The Big Game features two programs in a juxtaposed position.
Stanford is coming in hot after upsetting No. 19 Louisville on The Farm. California has failed to meet expectations and seems doomed to a repetitive cycle every year.
But the bigger picture can be much improved with a win over a rival.
Why Stanford Wins: The designed quarterback run plays are effective, Ashton Daniels doesn’t turn the ball over, and the secondary prevents explosive pass plays.
Why California Wins: The run game is established on offense, Fernando Mendoza doesn’t throw any interceptions, and the defense forces turnovers.
—My Picks—
Against Spread: Stanford
Straight Up: California
Pitt at No. 19 Louisville
Saturday, November 23
1:00 pm PT, ESPN2
BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Louisville -8.5
What’s at Stake: It’s a battle of teams in the upper half of the ACC when Louisville hosts Pitt.
The Panthers have seven wins and Louisville has six. But the Cardinals are coming off an embarrassing and shocking defeat to Stanford.
Pitt is a talented team and could give Louisville issues.
Why Pitt Wins: The front seven gets pressure on Tyler Shough to disrupt the timing of throws and the offense wins the time of possession battle.
Why Louisville Wins: Tyler Shough doesn’t throw any interceptions and uses his mobility just enough to keep the Louisville defense honest.
—My Picks—
Against Spread: Pitt
Straight Up: Pitt
Best Bet
Virginia Tech at Duke
Saturday, November 23
5:00 pm PT, ACC Network
BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Virginia Tech -3
What’s at Stake: Duke is 7-3 but comes in as a home underdog to a 5-5 Virginia Tech school.
The disrespect is palpable and the motivation it provides is critical.
The Blue Devils should come out with something to prove and show why the Vegas oddsmakers have been wrong about them all year.
Why Virginia Tech Wins: The defense wins the turnover margin, the run game is established on offense, and special teams make a key play.
Why Duke Wins: Maalik Murphy runs the offense with his normal efficiency, the running backs get short-yardage conversions for first downs, and the defensive line matches Virginia Tech’s physicality.
—My Picks—
Against Spread: Duke
Straight Up: Duke
Dane Miller’s ACC Game Picks
|
2024 Week 13 ACC Games |
Straight-Up Picks |
| NC State at Georgia Tech Nov 22, 4:30 pm PT |
Georgia Tech |
| Wake at No. 9 Miami Nov 23, 9:00 am PT |
Miami |
| No. 14 SMU at Virginia Nov 23, 9:00 am PT |
SMU |
| UConn at Syracuse Nov 23, 9:00 am PT |
Syracuse |
| North Carolina at Boston College Nov 23, 9:00 am PT |
North Carolina |
| Charleston Southern at Florida State Nov 23, 10:30 am PT |
Florida State |
| Citadel at No. 20 Clemson Nov 23, 12:30 pm PT |
Clemson |
| Stanford at Cal Nov 23, 12:30 pm PT |
Cal |
| Pitt at No. 19 Louisville Nov 23, 1:00 pm PT |
Pitt |
| Virginia Tech at Duke Nov 23, 5:00 pm PT |
Duke |
| Miller’s Overall ACC Record | 68-31 (69%) |
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Miller covers College Basketball and College Football as well as Formula 1 racing as a Senior Writer and Assistant Editor for SuperWest Sports.
