Boston College at Virginia Tech

Thursday, October 17
4:30 pm PT, ESPN

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Virginia Tech -7

What’s at Stake: Boston College is coming off a bye week after losing to Virginia. The Eagles are 4-2 but have yet to win a true road game.

Virginia Tech is coming off a bye, too, after throttling Stanford and controversially losing to Miami.

The direction of each team’s season is on the line.

Why Boston College Wins: Quarterback Thomas Castellanos takes care of the ball in the air and uses his mobility to make plays.

Why Virginia Tech Wins: The defense prevents Castellanos from consistently running for positive yardage and the offense operates at its normal efficiency.

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

Florida State at Duke

Friday, October 18
4:00 pm PT, ESPN2

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Duke -3

What’s at Stake: The Blue Devils are coming off the first loss of their season, and looking to make a statement.

Florida State has struggled all year and is nowhere near the team everyone thought they would be.

The game is an opportunity for Duke to show the rest of the country just how good they really are.

Why Florida State Wins: The defensive line gets consistent pressure on quarterback Maalik Murphy to force rushed decisions, poor throws, and interceptions.

Why Duke Wins: The Blue Devils’ offensive line provides the time needed for Murphy to make the correct decision and gets the push needed for Duke to establish a run game.

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

No. 6 Miami at Louisville

Saturday, October 19
9:00 am PT, ABC

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Miami -4

What’s at Stake: Miami heads to Louisville for the ACC’s Game of the Week.

The Hurricanes are undefeated and need the win to stay in position to secure a bye in the Playoff.

At the same time, it’s the biggest game of the year for Louisville and a victory would keep it in position for a shot at the Playoff.

Why Miami Wins: The secondary creates an interception, the front seven keeps the Louisville run game reasonably contained, and the offense meets its average of 5.6 yards per rush.

Why Louisville Wins: Quarterback Tyler Shough connects on his throws under pressure, the running backs convert short-yardage plays for first downs, and the defense limits explosive plays from the Miami running backs.

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

Virginia at No. 10 Clemson

Saturday, October 19
9:00 am PT, ACC Network

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Clemson -21.5

What’s at Stake: Clemson faces somewhat of a Litmus Test against Virginia.

The Tigers have easily handled some of the weaker teams on their schedule and are facing a Cavaliers squad that is better than their recent opponents.

Another convincing win from Clemson would underscore the strength of this year’s team.

Why Virginia Wins: Quarterback Anthony Colandrea handles the pressure from the Clemson front seven by making accurate throws, scrambling effectively, and using his legs to rush for positive yards.

Why Clemson Wins: The Tigers’ defensive front wins the line of scrimmage, gets penetration into the backfield, and prevents Colandrea from creating chunk plays on the ground.

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

No. 12 Notre Dame at Georgia Tech

Saturday, October 19
12:30 pm PT, ESPN

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Notre Dame -11.5

What’s at Stake: Georgia Tech has an opportunity to secure its second signature win of the season.

The Yellow Jackets shocked Florida State in the opener and are undefeated at home.

A defeat would damage Notre Dame’s chances of making the Playoff.

Why Notre Dame Wins: The Irish defense keeps quarterback Haynes King from reaching his average of 5.7 yards per rush and the offense wins the line of scrimmage.

Why Georgia Tech Wins: The Yellow Jackets’ defense flusters quarterback Riley Leonard with pressure, takes away the ground game, and forces Notre Dame to beat them through the air.

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

No. 21 SMU at Stanford

Saturday, October 19
5:00 pm PT, ACC Network

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: SMU -14.5

What’s at Stake: Troy Taylor and the Cardinal have an opportunity to change the narrative.

SMU might not be built in the trenches to handle the type of program that Stanford expects itself to be.

Aspiring to be more physically dominant like teams from the Big Ten, the Tree could shock the College Football world with an upset.

Why SMU Wins: The skill players on SMU’s offense make plays in open space and the offensive line provides enough time for the ball to be delivered.

Why Stanford Wins: The defensive line wins the physicality battle and the offense breaks out of its funk.

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

Best Bets

Wake Forest at UConn

Saturday, October 19
9:00 am PT, CBS Sports Network

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: UConn -2

What’s at Stake: Wake Forest hits the road for an odd midseason away game against a non-Power Conference opponent.

UConn has won three straight and played Duke to a one-score game.

A defeat to the Huskies would be embarrassing for Wake Forest’s program.

Why Wake Forest Wins: The defense prevents UConn from exceeding its average of 220.3 rushing yards per game.

Why UConn Wins: The Husky running backs find the space they need to consistently get positive yards and the offense converts its red-zone opportunities into touchdowns.

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

NC State at California

Saturday, October 19
12:30 pm PT, ACC Network

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: California -10.5

What’s at Stake: The season is on the line for California.

The program can’t continue to stumble in close, winnable games.

Until the Bears find ways to win tight matchups, the program won’t become competitive at the top of the ACC.

Why NC State Wins: The Wolfpack defense keeps Cal’s running backs in check and forces Fernando Mendoza to beat them through the air.

Why California Wins: The secondary creates multiple interceptions that the offense turns into scores and the ground game gets going early to help create explosive plays.

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

Dane Miller’s ACC Game Picks

2024 Week 8 ACC Games	Straight-Up Picks
Boston College at Virginia Tech Oct 17, 4:30 pm PT	Virginia Tech
Florida State at Duke Oct 18, 4:00 pm PT	Duke
No. 6 Miami at Louisville Oct 19, 9:00 am PT	Miami
Virginia at No. 10 Clemson Oct 19, 9:00 am PT	Clemson
Wake Forest at UConn Oct 19, 9:00 am PT	UConn
No. 12 Notre Dame at Georgia Tech Oct 19, 12:30 pm PT	Notre Dame
NC State at Cal Oct 19, 12:30 pm PT	Cal
No. 21 SMU at Stanford Oct 19, 5:00 pm PT	SMU
Miller’s Overall ACC Record	42-22 (66%)

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