Top Games

BYU at SMU

Friday, Sept. 6
4:00 pm PT, ESPN2

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: SMU -11

What’s at Stake: SMU bounced back after struggling against Nevada in Week 0 and now faces a BYU team it is expected to beat.

The ACC is 0-1 against the Big 12 so far this season, setting the table for the Conference to even up the mark.

A Mustang loss would be a red flag.

Why BYU Wins: The Cougars show what a one-year head start in a Power Conference looks like by winning the trenches on both sides of the ball.

Why SMU Wins: The Mustang offense uses tempo to get into rhythm early in the first half and the defense consistently gets off the field on third downs.

—My Picks—
Against the Spread: BYU
Straight Up: SMU

Duke at Northwestern

Friday, Sept. 6
6:00 pm PT, FS1

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Northwestern -2.5

What’s at Stake: The ACC needs all the wins it can get against Power Conference opponents.

Duke is one of the league’s consistent programs that can help bolster its image.

It’s a matchup that could help change the narrative on the ACC after Week One’s results.

Why Duke Wins: The Blue Devils make Northwestern inefficient on the ground and come up with key stops through the air on third down.

Why Northwestern Wins: The Wildcats don’t turn the ball over and prevent the Duke front seven from disrupting plays in the backfield.

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

Pitt at Cincinnati

Saturday, Sept. 7
9:00 am PT, ESPN2

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Cincinnati -2.5

What’s at Stake: Another matchup between the Big 12 and ACC that presents an opportunity to change perceptions.

Cincinnati is considered one of the bottom-feeders in the Big 12 and Pitt is a respectable program.

It’s a rematch of last year’s game that saw the Bearcats win by six.

Why Pitt Wins: Quarterback Eli Holstein has an efficient day through the air while the ground game gets pivotal first downs to extend drives.

Why Cincinnati Wins: The energy from the home crowd helps generate early defensive stops and the offense limits its mistakes.

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

Georgia Tech at Syracuse

Saturday, Sept. 7
9:00 am PT, ACC Network

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Georgia Tech -3

What’s at Stake: Georgia Tech looks to continue its early season success with a road win against a Conference opponent.

A Yellow Jackets’ victory would generate some Playoff buzz surrounding the program.

It’s the ACC opener for Syracuse and a game that the Orange probably expect to win.

Why Georgia Tech Wins: The Yellow Jackets’ defense keeps Syracuse’s passing game reasonably in check and forces the Orange to run the ball more than they prefer.

Why Syracuse Wins: Quarterback Kyle McCord spreads the ball around to his receivers to keep the Georgia Tech secondary guessing and slow to react.

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

Jacksonville State at Louisville

Saturday, Sept. 7
12:30 pm PT, ESPN+

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Louisville -28

What’s at Stake: The Cardinals were not tested in the opener and face another underpowered opponent.

But Rich Rodriguez runs an offense that can put up points if it strings together plays.

If Louisville is overlooking this matchup, Jax State could keep it closer than expected.

Why Jax State Wins: Rich Rod’s RPO scheme keeps the Louisville defense off balance resulting in chunk passing plays while consistently moving the ball on the ground.

Why Louisville Wins: The Cardinals win the line of scrimmage to get pressure in the backfield resulting in tackles for loss and stunting Jax State’s run game.

—My Picks—
Against the Spread: Jax State
Straight Up: Louisville

Virginia at Wake Forest

Saturday, Sept. 7
4:00 pm PT, ESPN2

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Wake Forest -2.5

What’s at Stake: It’s the ACC opener for both schools as each looks to turn their programs around.

Wake Forest has won just four conference games over the past two seasons while Virginia has just three ACC wins over the same period.

It’s a Litmus Test for both teams and could indicate the direction each is headed.

Why Virginia Wins: Quarterback Anthony Colandrea keeps the ball for effective runs while running back Kobe Pace finds space in the traditional run plays.

Why Wake Forest Wins: The Deacons win the battle along the defensive line while its linebackers contain Colandrea’s quarterback runs.

—My Picks—
Against the Spread: Wake Forest
Straight Up: Wake Forest

Cal Poly at Stanford

Saturday, Sept. 7
4:00 pm PT, ESPN+

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Stanford -14.5

What’s at Stake: The Stanford offense looks to bounce back after getting shut down in the second half against TCU.

The Cardinal defense looked improved in the opener and the Tree in general took a step forward.

But that could all be thrown away if they lose to Cal Poly.

Why Cal Poly Wins: The Mustang defense stays disciplined by maintaining their defensive assignments when Stanford presents eye candy designed to generate mistakes.

Why Stanford Wins: Troy Taylor doesn’t have to overly rely on quarterback runs by using his skilled receivers across the middle of the field.

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

App State at No. 25 Clemson

Saturday, Sept. 7
5:00 pm PT, ACC Network

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Clemson -17.5

What’s at Stake: Dabo Swinney’s program is hanging in the balance.

A defeat to App State would probably be the nail in the coffin.

Clemson can’t lose this game.

Why App State Wins: The Mountaineers keep the game close into the third quarter and generate game-changing stops in the second half.

Why Clemson Wins: The Tigers score on their first possession and generate sacks throughout the night.

—My Picks—
Against the Spread: App State
Straight Up: Clemson

Best Bets

California at Auburn

Saturday, Sept. 7
12:30 pm PT, ESPN2

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Auburn -13.5

What’s at Stake: California has the opportunity to make a statement.

The Bears should have beat Auburn in Berkeley last season and should have the personnel to compete in 2024.

A win would signal to the rest of the ACC that Cal is a contender.

Why California Wins: The secondary forces interceptions while the linebackers consistently get into the backfield. Chandler Rogers moves the chains with his legs and Fernando Mendoza doesn’t throw an interception.

Why Auburn Wins: The defense generates early stops and forces a quarterback rotation that disrupts Cal’s offensive rhythm.

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

No. 14 Tennessee at No. 24 NC State

Saturday, Sept. 7
4:30 pm PT, ABC

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Tennessee -7.5

What’s at Stake: The SEC media machine is out in full force attempting to cover up their early season stumbles.

The shills at ESPN would love nothing more than for Tennessee to stomp NC State.

An upset would make their narrative even harder to sell.

Why NC State Wins: The Wolfpack defense forces turnovers while reasonably containing Tennessee’s run game.

Why Tennessee Wins: The Volunteers’ offensive line displays its superiority up front resulting in a high third-down conversion rate thanks to short-yardage attempts.

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

Dane Miller’s ACC Game Picks

2024 Week 2 ACC Games	Straight-Up Picks
BYU at SMU Sep 6, 4:00 pm PT	SMU
Duke at Northwestern Sep 6, 6:00 pm PT	Duke
Pitt at Cincinnati Sep 7, 9:00 am PT	Pitt
Georgia Tech at Syracuse Sep 7, 9:00 am PT	Georgia Tech
Jacksonville State at Louisville Sep 7, 12:30 pm PT	Louisville
Cal at Auburn Sep 7, 12:30 pm PT	Auburn
Virginia at Wake Forest Sep 7, 4:00 pm PT	Wake Forest
Cal Poly at Stanford Sep 7, 4:00 pm PT	Stanford
Tennessee at NC State Sep 7, 4:30 pm PT	Tennessee
App State at Clemson Sep 7, 5:00 pm PT	Clemson
Miller’s Overall ACC Record	7-3 (70%)