ACC Football Predictions for Week 5
The Confidential’s football predictions for this week’s games featuring ACC teams. Last week was a bit better at 10-1… making it a 39-9 start to the season. It is going to get much worse this week. Only 2 games are such that upsets are very unlikely. A lot of surprising wins can happen. On to the week 5 predictions:
September 29, 2012
Middle Tennessee (2-1) @ Georgia Tech (2-2), 12:00 p.m. The Yellow Jackets are 0-2 in conference play, with both being very close games. One has to think that Georgia Tech will take out its frustrations on this week’s sacrificial lamb, a directional Tennessee school. Fortunately, Middle Tennessee is not in the Mac. So Georgia Tech should win easily. Prediction: Georgia Tech 40, Middle Tennessee 13.
North Carolina State (3-1) @ Miami (3-1), 12:00 p.m. One of these teams is headed to a 4-1 record. As such, this is a statement game for both teams. Miami has given up a lot of points to the FBS teams on its schedule. Then again, North Carolina State gave up about as many to Tennessee. This is a close one, but the edge goes to the home team here. Prediction: Miami 26, North Carolina State 21.
Duke (3-1) @ Wake Forest (3-1), 12:30 p.m. Another great matchup for the ACC, as North Carolina rivals Duke and Wake Forest will battle to see who gets to 4-1. While Duke is much improved this year, Wake Forest seems like the better team. Again, do not be surprised by an upset. It’s just hard to pick the road team here. Prediction: Wake Forest 24, Duke 17.
#17 Clemson (3-1) @ Boston College (1-2), 3:30 p.m. Clemson struggled last year after the first loss and this makes Boston College a sneaky upset pick. But Clemson is (hopefully) a better team from a mental standpoint this year. If not, it’s going to be a long season. Prediction: Clemson 34, Boston College 13.
Idaho (0-4) @ North Carolina (2-2), 3:30 p.m. North Carolina has beaten the patsies and lost to the decent teams. Idaho is not a decent team. Prediction: North Carolina 38, Idaho 11.
Louisiana Tech (3-0) @ Virginia (2-2), 3:30 p.m. Louisiana Tech averages more than 50 points a game. Something is in the water this year in Louisiana–just look at what Louisiana-Monroe has been doing. And La Tech destroyed Illinois. Virginia has been very disappointing this year. This is an upset special. Louisiana Tech 33, Virginia 24.
Virginia Tech (3-1) @ Cincinnati (2-0), 3:30 p.m. Cincinnati looked good while beating Pitt, who now looks to have righted the ship. This is Cincinnati’s only real test until late October. A win here could mean that the Bearcats are 6-0 when returning to conference play at that point. The Hokies looked awful in losing to Pitt. Cincinnati on the road will be a more hostile environment. Sorry, Hokies. This aint your year. Prediction: Cincinnati 30, Virginia Tech 21.
#4 Florida State (4-0) @ South Florida (2-2), 6:00 p.m. The good news for South Florida fans is that this game is not being played on a Thursday. The bad news is that this game is being played against Florida State. However, the Bulls should be fired up for this one. Florida State has to avoid the inevitable let down that follows a game like Clemson. This one may be close simply because the energy of the Bulls is too much early for the Seminoles to handle, requiring a second half rally to make it close. Or Skip Holtz is just in over his head and the Seminoles will trash them. Leaning towards the latter. Prediction: Florida State 42, South Florida 20.
The Confidential apologizes in advance for not picking your team. A lot of close games here. Feel free to share why we are wrong.
The Confidential 