No. 23 Clemson at No. 18 Pitt

Saturday, November 16
9:00 am PT, ESPN

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Clemson -10

What’s at Stake: Pitt’s season is falling apart.

The Panthers were undefeated but have now lost two straight games. Clemson is coming off a respectable road win over Virginia Tech.

The Tigers have been consistent this year and could give Pitt its third-straight loss.

Why Clemson Wins: The offense wins the line of scrimmage to establish the run game and the defense locks down Pitt’s passing attack.

Why Pitt Wins: The offense runs the ball effectively, the team doesn’t turn the ball over, and the defense generates multiple turnovers.

—My Picks—
Against Spread: Clemson
Straight Up: Clemson

Syracuse at California

Saturday, November 16
12:00 pm PT, The CW

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: California -7.5

What’s at Stake: California’s path to eight wins is on the line against Syracuse.

The Bears have the personnel to beat all the remaining teams on their schedule. But they must win out.

Syracuse’s offense is predicated on the pass and Cal arguably has the top secondary in the country. The time to shine is now.

Why Syracuse Wins: Kyle McCord doesn’t turn the ball over and scrambles for positive yards. On defense, the front seven contains Cal’s run game.

Why California Wins: The secondary creates interceptions that the offense converts into points. Fernando Mendoza doesn’t turn the ball over and the running backs are rotated to find what works.

—My Picks—
Against Spread: Syracuse
Straight Up: California

Boston College at No. 13 SMU

Saturday, November 16
12:30 pm PT, ESPN

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: SMU -16.5

What’s at Stake: SMU is knocking on the door to the Playoff.

The race in the ACC is tight, but the Mustangs are in sole possession of first place with an undefeated record in conference.

Boston College also runs an offense that’s predicated on a mobile quarterback. In some ways, the teams are mirror images of each other.

Why Boston College Wins: Thomas Castellanos is available to play and remains effective on the ground. On defense, the front seven prevents explosive run plays when defending the RPO.

Why SMU Wins: Kevin Jennings runs the offense with his normal efficiency.

—My Picks—
Against Spread: Boston College
Straight Up: SMU

Virginia at No. 10 Notre Dame

Saturday, November 16
12:30 pm PT, NBC

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Notre Dame -22.5

What’s at Stake: Virginia is coming off a surprising road upset against Pitt and heads to South Bend with some confidence.

The Irish have been crushing their opponents for most of the season, though, and are well-coached.

The game has Playoff implications for Notre Dame. A loss would eliminate the Irish from contention.

Why Virginia Wins: The defensive line wins the physicality battle to force Notre Dame to be one-dimensional through the air.

Why Notre Dame Wins: The run game is effective, which allows the passing attack to create explosive plays and first-down conversions through the air.

—My Picks—
Against Spread: Notre Dame
Straight Up: Notre Dame

Best Bets

No. 22 Louisville at Stanford

Saturday, November 16
12:30 pm PT, ACC Network

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Louisville -19.5

What’s at Stake: Another blowout loss would start to put Stanford’s Troy Taylor under the microscope.

His offensive system is not effective and the margins of defeat are dangerous.

Louisville has a very capable system and could run the score up.

Why Louisville Wins: Tyler Shough carves up the Stanford secondary and the Louisville running backs take advantage of a hesitant defense.

Why Stanford Wins: The secondary creates multiple turnovers, the defense gets short-yardage stops on third down, and the traditional run game is effective.

—My Picks—
Against Spread: Louisville
Straight Up: Louisville

Wake Forest at North Carolina

Saturday, November 16
5:00 pm PT, ACC Network

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: North Carolina -10.5

What’s at Stake: How North Carolina plays coming off its bye will define its season.

The Tar Heels fell apart during their four-game losing streak but have put together back-to-back blowout wins.

If they come out and post another convincing win, the table is set to win out.

Why Wake Forest Wins: The Deacons win the turnover margin and the offensive line holds their blocks long enough for the slow-mesh plays to be effective.

Why North Carolina Wins: The front seven gets penetration into the backfield to disrupt the timing of plays and running back Omarion Hampton has a strong game.

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

Dane Miller’s ACC Game Picks

2024 Week 12 ACC Games	Straight-Up Picks
No. 23 Clemson at No. 18 Pitt Nov 16, 9:00 am PT	Clemson
Syracuse at Cal Nov 16, 12:00 pm PT	Cal
Boston College at No. 13 SMU Nov 16, 12:30 pm PT	SMU
Virginia at No. 10 Notre Dame Nov 16, 12:30 pm PT	Notre Dame
No. 22 Louisville at Stanford Nov 16, 12:30 pm PT	Louisville
Wake Forest at North Carolina Nov 16, 5:00 pm PT	North Carolina
Miller’s Overall ACC Record	64-29 (69%)

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