ACC Football Predictions for Week 8
The Confidential’s football predictions for this week’s games featuring ACC teams. The Confidential struggled to a 3-3 record–the worst week of the season. Still, the Confidential is at a respectable 52-18 so far. On to the week 8 predictions:
Friday October 19, 2012
Connecticut (3-3) @ Syracuse (2-4), 8:00 p.m. The Orange simply cannot lose this game. If the Doug Marrone era is not going to fall completely off the tracks, Syracuse needs to win this much of a winnable game. UConn is struggling and coached by the guy Syracuse fired. Just a must win. Prediction: Syracuse 24, UConn 17.
Saturday October 20, 2012
Virginia Tech (4-3) @ #14 Clemson (5-1), noon. This is a rematch of last year’s conference title game, but the teams are headed in different directions right now. Virginia Tech had to rally to beat Duke, while Clemson has only lost to Florida State. Given that Clemson is at home, as well as Virginia Tech’s defensive mortality, it is difficult to pick Virginia Tech to pull the upset. Prediction: Clemson 35-Virginia Tech 24.
Wake Forest (3-3) @ Virginia (2-5), 12:30 p.m. The Demon Deacons have been absolutely, positively mediocre. Virginia is jealous of that right now. Again, however, Virginia is the home team, which has to count for something. The Confidential just does not see Wake Forest taking the win here. Prediction: Virginia 21, Wake Forest 20.
Boston College (1-5) @ Georgia Tech (2-4), 3:00 p.m. Boston College has been downright awful this year, with no wins over FBS teams. Georgia Tech has been equally bad lately. This two teams are at and/or near the basement in the ACC right now. Like Syracuse, Georgia Tech simply MUST win this game. Prediction: Georgia Tech 38-Boston College 13.
Pittsburgh (2-4) @ Buffalo (1-5), 3:30 p.m. The Steelers and Bills face off in a clash of old industrial towns. Wait, what? Pittsburgh lost its momentum after the Virginia Tech win. Buffalo has never really had any momentum yet. One has to think the Bulls will be fired up for this rare visit from a BCS-level team. Still, Pitt has to win this one, right? Prediction: Pittsburgh 36, Buffalo 10.
North Carolina State (4-2) @ Maryland (4-2), 3:30 p.m. While North Carolina State is not too much of a surprise, Maryland certainly is. Good thing that Terrapins fans did not run Randy Edsall out of town. Most likely. Maryland does have to play a bunch of good teams down the stretch. Reality sets in this week. Prediction: North Carolina State 27, Maryland 14.
North Carolina (5-2) @ Duke (5-2), 7:00 p.m. Obviously, a great basketball matchup, this is a pretty darn good football game this year. For Duke, the season-ending slate is simply brutal. This may be their last, best chance to get to bowl-eligibility. Who better than the Tar Heels to stop them? Prediction: North Carolina 24, Duke 20.
#12 Florida State (6-1) @ Miami (4-3), 8:00 p.m. Miami has been tough to figure out. There is really nothing in their performance to suggest that they can win this game. Then again, there is everything out there to suggest that Florida State could simply lose it. Typically, however, Florida State stumbles most egregiously in North Carolina. Prediction: Florida State 45-Miami 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 