Syracuse at No. 19 Pittsburgh

Thursday, October 24
4:30 pm PT, ESPN

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Pitt -6

What’s at Stake: Pitt is 6-0 and coming off a bye. But Syracuse is rolling.

The Orange have just a single loss this season and gained momentum after beating UNLV in Las Vegas earlier this year.

The game provides an opportunity for Syracuse to become an outside contender for the Playoff if it gets the win.

Why Syracuse Wins: The lines win the physicality battles and Kyle McCord executes the correct throws.

Why Pitt Wins: The defense gets pressure on McCord while containing the Syracuse ground game.

Against Spread: Syracuse
Straight Up: Pitt

Best Bet

Louisville at Boston College

Friday, October 25
4:30 pm PT, ESPN2

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Louisville -7

What’s at Stake: Louisville’s season is teetering on the edge.

The Cardinals’ three losses are all against high-quality opponents, but the team has just a single win over the last month.

Boston College is a significant step down in competition and Louisville could put together a convincing win.

Why Louisville Wins: Tyler Shough runs the offense with his normal high degree of efficiency and the run game is established.

Why Boston College Wins: Thomas Castellanos makes plays on the ground and the running backs are efficient with their opportunities.

Against Spread: Louisville
Straight Up: Louisville

Georgia Tech at Virginia Tech

Saturday, October 25
9:00 am PT, ACC Network

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Virginia Tech -10.5

What’s at Stake: The injury status of star Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King is in doubt.

He missed the Yellow Jackets’ last game and is the engine of the offense.

Without him, Georgia Tech’s ability to put up points is questionable, and Virginia Tech is playing well since controversially losing to Miami.

Why Georgia Tech Wins: The offensive line wins the line of scrimmage and the quarterback run plays are successful.

Why Virginia Tech Wins: The defense contains the Georgia Tech ground game and wins the turnover margin.

Against Spread: Georgia Tech
Straight Up: Virginia Tech

North Carolina at Virginia

Saturday, October 25
9:00 am PT, The CW

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Virginia -5.5

What’s at Stake: The Tar Heels are 0-3 in conference play and have lost four straight games.

Virginia kept the score reasonable with Clemson and almost beat Louisville.

But both teams are struggling and need a victory to get back on track.

Why North Carolina Wins: The defense reasonably contains Anthony Colandrea on the ground and Omarion Hampton exceeds his average of 128.7 yards rushing per game.

Why Virginia Wins: Colandrea gains positive yards when keeping the ball and the entire offense is opened up.

Against Spread: North Carolina
Straight Up: Virginia

Wake Forest at Stanford

Saturday, October 25
12:30 pm PT, ACC Network

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Wake Forest -2.5

What’s at Stake: Stanford is in trouble. The expectations were low but even that low bar has not been met.

It’s not just that the Cardinal are losing. It’s that the margin of defeat is so high. The offense is completely inept and a red flag.

Wake Forest is another bottom dweller in the ACC. A defeat to the Deacons would be a humbling reality check.

Why Wake Forest Wins: The defense stays disciplined in dealing with Stanford’s motion plays and the offense takes care of the ball.

Why Stanford Wins: The traditional ground game is established and the receivers find open space to make plays after the catch.

Against Spread: Wake Forest
Straight Up: Wake Forest

Oregon State at Cal

Saturday, October 25
1:00 pm PT, ESPN2

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: California -9.5

What’s at Stake: This is the definition of a “can’t lose” game for California.

Scheduling this matchup was a mistake to begin with. But regardless of the administrative decisions, the chance for an historic season is slipping away.

The path to eight wins still exists, yet it requires the Bears to win out.

Why Oregon State Wins: Quarterback Gevani McCoy takes care of the ball against Cal’s elite secondary.

Why California Wins: The front seven gets pressure on McCoy and the secondary creates multiple interceptions.

Against Spread: California
Straight Up: California

Florida State at No. 6 Miami

Saturday, October 25
4:00 pm, ESPN

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Miami -21

What’s at Stake: At the beginning of the year this game was circled.

But Florida State has collapsed while Miami is undefeated. Anything can happen in rivalry games, though.

The Hurricanes need the win to stay within reach of the bye in the Playoff.

Why Florida State Wins: The Seminoles’ defense keeps the Miami running backs in check and the offensive line creates a ground game.

Why Miami Wins: Cam Ward slices the FSU defense up, picking his spots and relying on his running backs to open up the pass.

Against Spread: Miami
Straight Up: Miami

No. 22 SMU at Duke

Saturday, October 25
5:00 pm, ACC Network

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: SMU -11.5

What’s at Stake: In some ways, the ACC is split between the “Haves” and “Have Nots.” Most of the league is in the latter group and only a few elite teams carry the league’s reputation.

SMU is trying to make a statement about which group they belong in. After a series of respectable wins, the Mustangs appear to be legitimate.

But Duke is off to a great start to the year and might be SMU’s toughest conference opponent to date.

Why SMU Wins: Kevin Jennings runs the offense like he normally does and the defense gets short-yardage stops on the ground.

Why Duke Wins: Maalik Murphy doesn’t throw any interceptions and the defense prevents Jennings from creating chunk plays when running the ball.

Against Spread: Duke
Straight Up: Duke

Dane Miller’s ACC Game Picks

2024 Week 9 ACC Games	Straight-Up Picks
Syracuse at No. 19 Pitt Oct 24, 4:30 pm PT	Pitt
Louisville at Boston College Oct 25, 4:30 pm PT	Louisville
Georgia Tech at Virginia Tech Oct 26, 9:00 am PT	Virginia Tech
North Carolina at Virginia Oct 26, 9:00 am PT	Virginia
Wake Forest at Stanford Oct 26, 12:30 pm PT	Wake Forest
Oregon State at Cal Oct 26, 1:00 pm PT	Cal
Florida State at No. 6 Miami Oct 26, 4:00 pm PT	Miami
No. 22 SMU at Duke Oct 26, 5:00 pm PT	Duke
Miller’s Overall ACC Record	48-24 (67%)

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