Top Games

North Carolina at Minnesota

Thursday, Aug. 29
5:00 pm PT, FOX 

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: North Carolina -1.5

What’s at Stake: Picked to finish eighth in the ACC Media Poll, North Carolina looks to get its season started with a win.

Minnesota went 6-7 last year and was picked to finish 12th in the Big Ten Media Poll.

The teams met last season with the Tar Heels taking the victory.

Why North Carolina Wins: Mack Brown injects poise into his roster and they handle the road environment without turning the ball over.

Why Minnesota Wins: The Gophers create turnovers and convert their Red Zone opportunities into points.

—My Picks—
Against the Spread: North Carolina
Straight Up: North Carolina

No. 14 Clemson vs. No. 1 Georgia

Saturday, Aug. 31
9:00 am PT, ABC
Atlanta, GA

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Georgia -13.5

What’s at Stake: It wasn’t that long ago when Clemson was considered one of the elite teams in College Football.

These days, Debo Swinney’s backward views on the transfer portal arguably hold the program back.

Matched up with Georgia, there’s a reasonable risk of an embarrassing blowout loss.

Why Clemson Wins: The Tigers match the physicality of Georgia in the trenches and outlast them with depth in the second half.

Why Georgia Wins: Kirby Smart has substantially better players and a much deeper roster. The talent disparity should be on display.

—My Picks—
Against the Spread: Georgia
Straight Up: Georgia

Kent State at Pitt

Saturday, Aug. 31
9:00 am PT, ESPNU 

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Pitt -23.5

What’s at Stake: Kent State went 1-11 last year and hasn’t had a winning season since 2020. Pitt enters the year with little to no expectations surrounding the program.

It’s a game Pitt can’t lose if it hopes to reach bowl eligibility in 2024.

Why Kent State Wins: A quick start leads to a close game at halftime followed by timely forced turnovers in the second half.

Why Pitt Wins: Looking to erase the memory of their worst season since 1994, the Panthers score early in the first quarter and never look back.

—My Picks—
Against the Spread: Pitt
Pick Straight Up: Pitt

Virginia Tech at Vanderbilt

Saturday, Aug. 31
9:00 am PT, ESPN 

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Virginia Tech -13.5

What’s at Stake: Receiving five first-place votes in the ACC Media Poll, Virginia Tech might be better than some expect.

The Hokies face a Vanderbilt squad picked to finish last in the SEC.

Still, it’s a road game against a Power Conference opponent that can’t be overlooked.

Why Virginia Tech Wins: Keeping the Commodores run game contained, Virginia Tech forces third and longs throughout the game.

Why Vanderbilt Wins: Preventing the Hokies from jumping out to an early lead, Vanderbilt scores first and creates multiple turnovers in the second half.

—My Picks—
Against the Spread: Virginia Tech
Pick Straight Up: Virginia Tech

Ohio at Syracuse

Saturday, Aug. 31
12:30 pm PT, ACC Network 

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Syracuse -17.5

What’s at Stake: Facing a team picked to finish fifth in the MAC Preseason Coaches Poll, Syracuse must be ready to play.

Ohio has won 10 games each of the last two seasons including two-straight bowl victories.

Yet, the Bobcats lost key contributors from last year’s squad including star quarterback Kurtis Rourke.

Why Ohio Wins: The culture head coach Tim Albin has built in the program shines through with forced fumbles and game-changing Red Zone stops.

Why Syracuse Wins: The Orange take advantage of the numerous new faces on the Ohio roster with key plays in all three aspects of the game.

—My Picks—
Against the Spread: Ohio
Pick Straight Up: Syracuse

No. 19 Miami at Florida

Saturday, Aug. 31
12:30 pm PT, ABC

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Miami -2.5

What’s at Stake: Miami comes into the season with Playoff expectations.

The Hurricanes received 17 First-place votes in the ACC Media Poll and come into the game ranked No. 19 in the AP Top 25.

But that hype could fade away if they aren’t able to handle Florida.

Why Miami Wins: Former Washington State quarterback Cam Ward uses his legs to extend plays that lead to pivotal first-down conversions.

Why Florida Wins: The home crowd rattles the Miami players by gulling them into dumb penalties and turnovers.

—My Picks—
Against the Spread: Florida
Pick Straight Up: Florida

Georgia State at Georgia Tech

Saturday, Aug. 31
5:00 pm PT, ACC Network 

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Georgia Tech -21.5

What’s at Stake: Georgia Tech looks to continue its early-season success after beating Florida State in Ireland.

But in-state rival Georgia State is not a team to overlook.

The Panthers have logged winning seasons in four of the last five years, although they are picked to finish second-to-last in the Sun Belt Preseason Coaches Poll.

Why Georgia State Wins: The Panthers capitalize on Georgia Tech’s Ireland hangover by jumping out to an early lead and forcing three-and-outs.

Why Georgia Tech Wins: The run game gets going early and has success throughout the contest.

—My Picks—
Against the Spread: Georgia State
Pick Straight Up: Georgia Tech

Boston College at Florida State

Monday, Sept. 2
4:30 pm PT, ESPN

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Florida State -17

What’s at Stake: The Playoff is still on the table for Florida State after losing in the opener.

But another defeat would likely end those hopes and the matchup is somewhat of a “get right” game.

Boston College was picked to finish 14th in the ACC Media Poll and even received one first-place vote.

Why Boston College Wins: The Eagles keep quarterback DJ Uiagalelei from converting passes downfield while containing FSU’s ground game.

Why Florida State Wins: The Seminoles take out their anger from the opening loss by beating BC in the trenches on both sides of the ball.

—My Picks—
Against the Spread: Florida State
Pick Straight Up: Florida State

Best Bets

TCU at Stanford

Friday, Aug. 30
7:30 pm PT, ESPN

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: TCU -9.5

What’s at Stake: Troy Taylor is trying to rebuild Stanford’s program and needs a signature win.

Sonny Dykes, on the other hand, is looking to get back to the top after the program took a step back last season.

With a much better NIL program and transfers abounding, TCU should make a statement.

Why TCU Wins: The Horned Frogs win the one-on-one battles at multiple position groups on both sides of the ball. It becomes obvious by the end of the first half that Stanford doesn’t have the personnel to compete.

Why Stanford Wins: The Tree win the turnover margin and keep TCU from scoring touchdowns in the Red Zone.

—My Picks—
Against the Spread: TCU
Pick Straight Up: TCU

UC Davis at California

Saturday, Aug. 31
2:00 pm PT, ESPN+

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Cal -20.5

What’s at Stake: This is the type of game that California has recently struggled with.

There are zero reasons why the Bears should be in a tight game with UC Davis.

A close contest would indicate that not much has changed in Berkeley.

Why California Wins: Jaydn Ott is one of the most talented running backs in the country and goes off for a multi-touchdown day.

Why UC Davis Wins: Forcing turnovers in the first half, the Aggies force California to go to their backup quarterback and play tight.

—My Picks—
Against the Spread: Cal
Pick Straight Up: Cal

Dane Miller’s ACC Game Picks

2024 Week 1 ACC Games	Straight-Up Picks
North Carolina at Minnesota Aug 29, 5:00 pm PT	North Carolina
TCU at Stanford Aug 30, 7:30 pm PT	TCU
No. 14 Clemson v. No. 1 Georgia Aug 31, 9:00 am PT	Georgia
Kent State at Pitt Aug 31, 9:00 am PT	Pitt
Virginia Tech at Vanderbilt Aug 31, 9:00 am PT	Virginia Tech
Ohio at Syracuse Aug 31, 12:30 pm PT	Syracuse
No. 19 Miami at Florida Aug 31, 12:30 pm PT	Florida
UC Davis at California Aug 31, 2:00 pm PT	California
Georgia State at Georgia Tech Aug 31, 5:00 pm PT	Georgia Tech
Boston College at Florida State Sep 2, 4:30 pm PT	Florida State
Miller’s Overall ACC Record	0-0 (0%)