By Dane Miller, SuperWest Sports
November 26, 2024
ACC college football regular season concludes in Week 14 with 11 games.
I preview all of them here, breaking down what’s at stake and what both teams must do to win.
Last week, I went 8-2 straight up, hitting 80% of my predictions. That gives me a 76-33 conference record, good for a 70% success rate on the season.
My picks for this week, both against the spread and straight up, are included with each breakdown as summarized in the table below.
Stanford at San Jose State
Friday, November 29
4:00 pm PT, CBS
BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: San Jose State -3
What’s at Stake: Stanford is 3-8 heading into its final game of the season.
San Jose State has lost back-to-back games and three of its last four. But the Spartans have had a tough schedule to close the year and the matchup with the Cardinal is somewhat of a break.
A SJSU win would help get it to a more respectable bowl game.
Why Stanford Wins: Ashton Daniels doesn’t turn the ball over and has success running the ball.
Why San Jose State Wins: The front seven contains Stanford’s traditional ground game and prevents Daniels from creating explosive plays on the ground.
—My Picks—
Against Spread: San Jose State
Straight Up: San Jose State
Georgia Tech at No. 10 Georgia
Friday, November 29
4:30 pm PT, ABC
BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Georgia -19.5
What’s at Stake: Georgia is in the Playoff hunt and finishes its season with a second-straight nonconference game.
Last week, the Bulldogs beat UMass in Athens. This week, UG faces a Georgia Tech team that is respectable in the ACC.
The Yellow Jackets are 7-4 and beat Miami two weeks ago.
Why Georgia Tech Wins: The quarterback run plays are effective, the offense doesn’t turn the ball over, and the defense holds Georgia below its average yards rushing.
Why Georgia Wins: The offensive line establishes the ground game and the defense prevents explosive runs.
—My Picks—
Against Spread: Georgia
Straight Up: Georgia
No. 18 South Carolina at No. 17 Clemson
Saturday, November 30
9:00 am PT, ESPN
BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Clemson -2.5
What’s at Stake: Clemson finishes its regular season with a matchup against rival South Carolina.
The Gamecocks are ranked in the Top 25 and have wins over Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Vanderbilt, and Missouri. The contest is a direct measuring stick between the ACC and SEC.
The result will be of interest to the Playoff Committee as they evaluate at-large bids.
Why South Carolina Wins: The defense wins the turnover margin and contains Cade Klubnik when he runs.
Why Clemson Wins: The offensive line wins the physicality battle to establish a consistent ground game and Klubnik is efficient when throwing.
—My Picks—
Against Spread: South Carolina
Straight Up: South Carolina
Louisville at Kentucky
Saturday, November 30
9:00 am PT, SEC Network
BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Louisville -3.5
What’s at Stake: Louisville goes on the road to face its rival at the end of the year.
The Cardinals are bowl-eligible at 7-4 and could hand Kentucky its eighth loss of the season. The Wildcats have struggled in the SEC this year but did beat Ole Miss in September.
A Louisville victory would bolster its bowl resume.
Why Louisville Wins: Tyler Shough has the time needed to run the offense and is accurate with his throws.
Why Kentucky Wins: The defensive line gets penetration throughout the game to disrupt the timing of Louisville’s plays.
—My Picks—
Against Spread: Louisville
Straight Up: Louisville
Duke at Wake Forest
Saturday, November 30
9:00 am PT, ACC Network
BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Duke -4.5
What’s at Stake: Duke is coming off another respectable win after beating Virginia Tech by three.
The Blue Devils have exceeded expectations this year and enter the game with a record of 8-3.
A 10-win season remains possible if Duke takes care of business against Wake Forest.
Why Duke Wins: Maalik Murphy doesn’t turn the ball over and the defensive line speeds up Wake Forest’s offense.
Why Wake Forest Wins: The secondary forces multiple interceptions and the offense exceeds its average of 132.4 yards rushing per game.
—My Picks—
Against Spread: Duke
Straight Up: Duke
California at No. 13 SMU
Saturday, November 30
12:30 pm PT, ESPN2
BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: SMU -13.5
What’s at Stake: Cal is already bowl-eligible and SMU is already locked into the ACC Championship Game.
That takes the shine away from what otherwise might be a marquee game.
Still, SMU must maintain its resume as an at-large candidate in case it loses next week. A defeat to the Bears would be hard to overcome.
Why California Wins: The run game is established on offense and the defense contains Kevin Jennings in the RPO plays.
Why SMU Wins: Jennings runs the offense with his normal degree of efficiency and doesn’t turn the ball over when passing.
—My Picks—
Against Spread: California
Straight Up: SMU
No. 8 Miami at Syracuse
Saturday, November 30
12:30 pm PT, ESPN
BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Miami -10.5
What’s at Stake: Syracuse is having one of its best seasons since joining the ACC in 2012.
The Orange have eight wins which is the second-most they’ve had since joining the Conference. The only comparable year is in 2018 when Syracuse went 10-3.
Miami is a beatable team and this game could be closer than some expect.
Why Miami Wins: The combination of Cam Ward and the potent rushing attack allows Miami to move the ball with ease and put up points.
Why Syracuse Wins: The offensive line gives Kyle McCord the time to operate and the quarterback executes the correct throws. On defense, the front seven forces Miami to become more one-dimensional by shutting down the run.
—My Picks—
Against Spread: Syracuse
Straight Up: Miami
NC State at North Carolina
Saturday, November 30
12:30 pm PT, ACC Network
BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: North Carolina -3.5
What’s at Stake: North Carolina can prevent its rival from reaching bowl eligibility.
NC State is 5-6 and needs the win to make the postseason. The Wolfpack are on a two-game losing streak while the Tar Heels have had an inconsistent season.
North Carolina is coming off a blowout loss to Boston College but have won three of its last four.
Why NC State Wins: The front seven holds North Carolina below its average of 189.2 yards rushing per game.
Why North Carolina Wins: The run game is established on offense and the defense gets short-yardage stops on the ground.
—My Picks—
Against Spread: North Carolina
Straight Up: North Carolina
Florida at Florida State
Saturday, November 30
4:00 pm PT, ESPN2
BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Florida -14.5
What’s at Stake: Florida State hosts rival Florida for a night game in Tallahassee.
In most years, this game would be hyped up to generate television ratings. But the Seminoles are so bad this season that the contest has fallen into irrelevancy.
It’s still getting the ESPN treatment, though, and could get interesting if FSU keeps it close into the second half.
Why Florida Wins: The defense contains Florida State’s rushing attack and the offensive line creates the push needed for first down conversions on the ground.
Why Florida State Wins: The Seminoles find a way to move the ball on the ground, win the turnover margin, and match Florida’s physicality in the trenches.
—My Picks—
Against Spread: Florida
Straight Up: Florida
Virginia at Virginia Tech
Saturday, November 30
5:00 pm PT, ACC Network
BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Virginia Tech -7.5
What’s at Stake: Virginia goes on the road to face rival Virginia Tech to end the season.
Bowl eligibility is on the line for both schools. Each have five wins and can prevent the other from making the postseason.
Games like this are what college football is all about.
Why Virginia Wins: Anthony Colandrea doesn’t throw any interceptions and has positive yards rushing. On defense, the front seven holds Virginia Tech below its average of 185.7 yards rushing per game.
Why Virginia Tech Wins: The Hokies win the turnover margin and convert their red zone opportunities into touchdowns.
—My Picks—
Against Spread: Virginia
Straight Up: Virginia Tech
Best Bet
Pitt at Boston College
Saturday, November 30
12:00 pm PT, The CW
BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Boston College -4.5
What’s at Stake: Boston College made itself bowl-eligible with a win over North Carolina last week.
The program hasn’t had any issues overcoming Thomas Castellanos entry into the transfer portal in the middle of the season. Former backup quarterback Grayson James has stepped in and thrived.
The Eagles face a Pittsburgh team that’s on a four-game losing streak.
Why Pitt Wins: The front seven contain James when he keeps the ball and the offense scores at least 30 points.
Why Boston College Wins: James runs the offense effectively and the defense gets consistent pressure on Pitt’s backup quarterback Nate Yarnell.
—My Picks—
Against Spread: Boston College
Straight Up: Boston College
Dane Miller’s ACC Game Picks
2024 Week 14 ACC Games |
Straight-Up Picks |
Stanford at San Jose State Nov 29, 1:00 pm PT |
San Jose State |
Georgia Tech at No. 10 Georgia Nov 29, 4:30 pm PT |
Georgia |
No. 18 South Carolina at No. 17 Clemson Nov 30, 9:00 am PT |
South Carolina |
Louisville at Kentucky Nov 30, 9:00 am PT |
Louisville |
Duke at Wake Forest Nov 30, 9:00 am PT |
Duke |
Pitt at Boston College Nov 30, 12:00 pm PT |
Boston College |
No. 8 Miami at Syracuse Nov 30, 12:30 pm PT |
Miami |
Cal at No. 13 SMU Nov 30, 12:30 pm PT |
SMU |
NC State at North Carolina Nov 30, 12:30 pm PT |
North Carolina |
Florida at Florida State Nov 30, 4:00 pm PT |
Florida |
Virginia at Virginia Tech Nov 30, 5:00 pm PT |
Virginia Tech |
Miller’s Overall ACC Record | 76-33 (70%) |
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