Around the ACC: Cross Picks Week Nine

No. 3 Clemson at No. 12 Florida State – The Seminoles’ defense has been so uncharacteristically poor this year and that sets up Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson and the Clemson passing game. He can use the height and speed of Mike Williams against a Florida State secondary that allows 233.4 yards per game and is 75th in the nation.  Dalvin Cook’s ability to sustain on the ground against an athletic and physical Tigers’ front could give FSU a shot.  Both teams come off a bye week which allowed total focus on each other’s weapons.  Tigers 41, Seminoles 33.

No. 5 Louisville at Virginia – After bashing North Carolina State, 54-13, last week, the Cardinals admitted to being motivated by the dialogue of the Wolfpack coming into Papa John Stadium and playing physical football.  The close call against Duke may have been a wake-up call for Louisville in telling the team that they have to prepare properly mentally, as well as physically, against these overmatched opponents.  Lamar Jackson continues to solidify himself on the Heisman ballot with 355 yards in the air and 104 on the ground, while throwing three touchdown passes and running for one.  The Cavaliers give up 456 yards per game, while Bobby Petrino calls the same attacking offense on the road that he does at home.  Cardinals 51, Cavaliers 16.

No. 25 Virginia Tech at Pitt – The Panthers stop the run well and average 239.1 yards per game on the ground on offense.  The key for them is defending a dual-threat quarterback like Jarod Evans as the Panthers have generally had a tough time stopping the pass.  Evans has completed 62 percent of his passes and has 19 touchdown passes compared to only two interceptions. Isaiah Ford, Bucky Hodges and Cam Phillips vs. the Pitt secondary should be enough.  The key for Virginia Tech is getting ahead early so Pitt cannot use the running game.  Hokies 34, Panthers 27. 

Miami at Notre Dame – The Hurricanes have dropped three in a row, while the Fighting Irish are stewing with a 2-5 record.  Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick has noted that Brian Kelly’s job is safe, but if the Irish do not show improvement over the next five games, Swarbrick’s vote of confidence is uncertain at best.  Miami has struggled offensively, while the Irish cannot stop anyone.  Only four touchdowns in three weeks, the 103rd rated offense on third down percentage, and a fragile psyche going into a road game in South Bend is not a good recipe for Miami.  Fighting Irish 20, Hurricanes 17.

Duke at Georgia Tech – It’s the same Georgia Tech inside their antiquated rushing offense, as they have literally no passing game, while averaging 234 yards rushing per game.  Duke’s defense must key on rusher Dedrick Mills and quarterback Justin Thomas who account for 175 of the Yellow Jackets’ 323 rushes.  How Duke responds after a bye week and a close loss at Louisville will be interesting.  The Blue Devils need to generate more offense and take care of the football on the road in Atlanta.  Yellow Jackets 31, Blue Devils 24.

Boston College at NC State – The Wolfpack are licking their wounds after getting smashed, 54-13, at Louisville.  Their defensive rating of 26th in the nation is misleading as NCSU compiled that number against William& Mary, East Carolina, Wake Forest and Old Dominion.  They gave up 1,046 total yards combined in their last two games against Clemson and Louisville.  Boston College doesn’t scratch the surface on offense compared to the Cardinals and Tigers.  The Eagles are 124th out of the 128 Division-1 football teams in total offense.  Wolfpack 34, Eagles 10.

Army at Wake Forest – The Demon Deacons become bowl eligible for the first time since 2011 if they can win against the Black Knights.  Both teams will keep the football on the ground with various ways to accentuate those ground games.  Running back Matt Colburn and quarterback John Wolford should be enough for the Demon Deacons, who have lost two of their last three after a 4-0 start.  Demon Deacons 24, Black Knights 17.