ACC Football Predictions for Week 1
The Confidential’s football predictions for this week’s games featuring ACC teams:
August 31, 2012
Tennessee vs. NC State (in Atlanta), 7:30 p.m. This is a great opening week game. A neutral site. Two teams that may or may not be ready to take the next step. It’s a classic coin toss. We’ll go “homer” on this ontoe. Prediction: North Carolina State 28, Tennessee 20.
September 1, 2012
Northwestern at Syracuse, 12 p.m. With all the ESPN employees that graduated from these two schools, you have to figure this will be a big gambling week in Bristol. But this one is even more of a coin toss than Tennessee/NC State. This Syracuse team could be 3-9 or 9-3. Homer on the “coin toss’ again. Prediction: Syracuse 30, Northwestern 20.
Elon at North Carolina, 12:30 p.m. A new season dawns for the Tar Heels and new coach Larry Fedora. There is too much talent left over for Elon to remain competitive. Prediction: North Carolina 45, Elon 10.
William & Mary at Maryland, 3 p.m. Maryland started last year 1-0, before disaster struck. They cannot start 0-1 this year. Despite some offensive growing pains in the first half, they will not. Prediction: Maryland 24,William & Mary 9.
Richmond at Virginia, 3 p.m. Virginia head coach Mike London knows that Richmond is capable of winning. So this game will not have any concerns about looking past an FCS foe. Still, Virginia has too much talent to lose. Prediction: Virginia 31, Richmond 17.
Miami at Boston College, 3:30 p.m. Both teams really need to win this opener. While Boston College closed strong, the Confidential has a lot of faith in Al Golden. Prediction: Miami 21, Boston College 12.
Murray State at No. 7 Florida State. 6 p.m. Florida State is going to be great this year. It has been written everywhere. This experienced, talented team will destroy Murray State. Prediction: Florida State 45, Murray State 10.
Youngstown State at Pittsburgh. 6 p.m. Pitt should have no trouble with Youngstown State. But that does not mean that they will not, especially with the injuries. Prediction: Pitt 27, Youngstown State 13.
Liberty at Wake Forest, 6:30 p.m. Wake Forest had a tough loss in the opener last year, but will avoid that this year against an FCS foe. Wake has a chance to make some real noise this year too. Prediction: Wake Forest 31, Liberty 14.
FIU at Duke, 7 p.m. This is a tough game to call. Duke should be improved, but FIU is no slouch. This just seems like an upset waiting to happen. Prediction: FIU 24, Duke 20.
Auburn vs. No. 14 Clemson (in Atlanta), 7 p.m. In another Atlanta-based, SEC-ACC battle, Clemson gets a chance to move past the disappointing finish of last year by defeating a sound SEC program. Even without Sammy Watkins, the Confidential likes Clemson to do that. Prediction: Clemson 31, Auburn 23.
September 3, 2012
Georgia Tech at No. 16 Virginia Tech, 8 p.m. Virginia Tech is capable of losing to anyone in September. Georgia Tech is a very tough foe. But Virginia Tech’s defense will rise to the occasion. Prediction: Virginia Tech 24, Georgia Tech 20.
The Confidential apologizes in advance for not picking your team. There is also a lot of chalk here. However, predictions are made to be accurate, not controversial. Feel free to share why we are wrong.
The Confidential 