Game Previews

Wake Forest at NC State

Saturday, October 5
9:00 am PT, The CW

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: NC State -5.5

What’s at Stake: NC State is looking to win two games in a row for the first time this season.

The Wolfpack have yet to secure a victory over a Power Conference opponent and are 0-1 in ACC play.

Wake Forest has lost three straight games, though, setting the table for a contest that NC State must win.

Why Wake Forest Wins: Hank Bachmeier has an efficient day through the air and the Deacon running backs convert short-yardage conversions for first downs.

Why NC State Wins: Quarterback CJ Bailey is accurate with his passes and smart with his decision-making.

—My Picks—
Against Spread: NC State
Straight Up: NC State

SMU at No. 22 Louisville

Saturday, October 5
9:00 am PT, ESPN

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Louisville -7

What’s at Stake: SMU turned heads with a blowout win over Florida State.

The margin of victory was one of the more surprising results of the weekend and casts the Mustangs in a better light.

A victory over Louisville on their home field would be a signature win.

Why SMU Wins: Quarterback Kevin Jennings is efficient when passing the ball and finds space on the ground for runs throughout the game.

Why Louisville Wins: The Cardinals’ front seven contains Jennings on the ground while limiting the SMU running backs.

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

Boston College at Virginia

Saturday, October 5
9:00 am PT, ACC Network

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Virginia -1.5

What’s at Stake: The Eagles snuck by Western Kentucky after star quarterback Thomas Castellanos missed the game due to injury.

His status is unclear as Boston College looks to advance to 2-0 in Conference play.

Virginia is 3-1 and is coming off its strongest performance of the season.

Why Boston College Wins: The Eagles’ defense contains quarterback Anthony Colandrea on the ground and the secondary forces interceptions.

Why Virginia Wins: The defensive play-calling is aggressive and focused on limiting the run threat of whichever quarterback plays for BC.

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

Virginia Tech at Stanford

Saturday, October 5
12:30 pm PT, ACC Network

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Virginia Tech -8.5

What’s at Stake: The Cardinal return home after getting thumped by Clemson.

It’s the first time this season that an ACC team has made the trek out west.

How Virginia Tech plays will reveal just how hard it is to make the trip.

Why Virginia Tech Wins: The Virginia Tech front seven stays disciplined in their defensive assignments and studies film on the Tree’s offensive play-calling.

Why Stanford Wins: The designed quarterback run plays are used sparingly but effectively, and the traditional rushing attack has success.

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

No. 15 Clemson at Florida State

Saturday, October 5
4:00 pm PT, ESPN

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Clemson -14.5

What’s at Stake: Florida State’s season has been a disaster.

Posting defeat after defeat, the year might be over. A lopsided loss to Clemson would be the cherry on top.

And facing a Tiger team that’s rolling, a blowout seems more likely than not.

Why Clemson Wins: The Clemson defense limits Florida State’s running backs and forces long third-down conversion attempts.

Why Florida State Wins: The Seminoles get push in the trenches from their offensive line and the quarterback uses the extra time to execute the correct throw.

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

Duke at Georgia Tech

Saturday, October 5
5:00 pm PT, ACC Network

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Georgia Tech -7.5

What’s at Stake: Duke is out to a 5-0 start on the year and faces Georgia Tech expecting to win.

The Yellow Jackets have lost their last two games against Power Conference opponents.

There’s upset potential written all over this game.

Why Duke Wins: Quarterback Maalik Murphy operates the offense with efficiency and the Duke defense wins the turnover margin.

Why Georgia Tech Wins: Quarterback Haynes King meets his 5.5 yards per carry average and throws more than one touchdown pass through the air.

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

No. 8 Miami at California

Saturday, October 5
7:00 pm PT, ESPN

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Miami -10

What’s at Stake: ESPN’s College Gameday is in attendance for the ACC’s marquee matchup of the day.

California has substantially benefitted from the exposure in the new league and this game presents a rare opportunity to seize the momentum.

A Bear victory would exponentially increase the hype around the program.

Why Miami Wins: Cam Ward takes care of the ball against Cal’s secondary and moves the chains with his legs. His threat to run causes hesitation throughout the Bears’ defense, allowing the Miami skill players to find more open space.

Why California Wins: Fernando Mendoza runs the offense with efficiency and doesn’t turn the ball over. The running backs get established on the ground and the defense forces interceptions.

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

Best Bets

Syracuse at No. 25 UNLV

Friday, October 4
6:00 pm PT, FS1

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: UNLV -6.5

What’s at Stake: UNLV has the national stage for a Friday Night matchup with an East Coast opponent.

The timing couldn’t be better. The Rebel defense is playing elite and its new quarterback looks like an upgrade.

It’s time to make a statement.

Why Syracuse Wins: The Orange defensive line consistently gets pressure into the backfield to quicken the decision-making of quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams.

Why UNLV Wins: Brennan Marion’s Go-Go offense gets whatever it wants, opening up the playbook and keeping Syracuse a step behind.

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

Pitt at North Carolina

Saturday, October 5
9:00 am PT, ESPN2

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Pitt -3

What’s at Stake: North Carolina is coming off two straight tough losses.

The Tar Heels were embarrassed by James Madison and blew a 20-point lead to rival Duke last week.

That’s not the standard at UNC and Mack Brown should have his team ready to respond.

Why Pitt Wins: The Panthers establish their run game and create chunk passing plays through the air.

Why North Carolina Wins: Running back Omarion Hampton has a strong game and the UNC defense creates turnovers.

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

Dane Miller’s ACC Game Picks

2024 Week 6 ACC Games	Straight-Up Picks
Pitt at North Carolina Oct 5, 9:00 am PT	North Carolina
Wake Forest at NC State Oct 5, 9:00 am PT	NC State
SMU at No. 22 Louisville Oct 5, 9:00 am PT	Louisville
Boston College at Virginia Oct 5, 9:00 am PT	Virginia
Virginia Tech at Stanford Oct 5, 12:30 pm PT	Virginia Tech
No. 15 Clemson at Florida State Oct 5, 4:00 pm PT	Clemson
Duke at Georgia Tech Oct 5, 5:00 pm PT	Duke
Syracuse at No. 25 UNLV Oct 4, 6:00 pm PT	UNLV
No. 8 Miami at Cal Oct 5, 7:00 pm PT	Cal
Miller’s Overall ACC Record	34-15 (69%)

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