Season: 18-4 (11-7 ATS)
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The ACC needs to recover from this past weekend's shellacking. None of its marquee teams were able to represent the conference with any amount of respectability. Only NC State was able to deliver the goods and defeat a relatively good non-conference opponent. This week presents some more great opportunities... but will the ACC be able to step up and begin repairing its damaged national image?
Cincinnati @ NC State (-2.5)
Believe it or not, State (along with Clemson and maybe Maryland) is the ACC team that can boast the most deserved college football "cred" so far in this young season. They are making big plays on defense and playing it safe on offense, and it has been a winning recipe so far. Cincy is struggling to find its offensive rhythm after the coaching change and player exodus from last year's 12-1 faux juggernaut. QB Zach Collaros is a real talent however, and could give Russell Wilson a nice passer's duel. I like State to win this game and cover the spread this week, playing at home. This should be a very entertaining game on Thursday night. 31-27, NC State
Georgia Tech @ North Carolina (game off the board due to possible player suspensions)
The Ramblin' Wreck played like shitake against Kansas. They'll bounce back. But the Tarholes have had two weeks to prepare [their piecemeal roster] for this contest, after a game effort against LSU in the season opener. The stormclouds are still swirling however, and I like the Jackets to win this game by pounding it out on the ground with that flexbone offense. 31-17, GT
Maryland @ West Virginia (-13.0)
West Virginia survived a serious scare from Marshall this past Friday night, and to be honest with you, the Mountaineers did not impress me. But neither did Maryland in their "win" against Navy. This game will be so ugly, viewers that tune in for the entire 60 minutes might just turn to stone. I'd feel sorry for the fans that will be attending the game, but these are probably the two most despicable fanbases in all of organized sports. I'll be pulling for some sort of natural disaster (rockslide? earthquake? hillbilly rebellion against society?) to claim these teams and those scumbag fans this weekend. As for the pick, I guess I'll go with the home team here, but I have a hunch that UMD covers. 30-21, West Virginia
East Carolina @ Virginia Tech (-17.0)
This opening line amazes me. I was about to go all in on the Hokies having a big bounce back week... but it looks like Vegas beat me to the punch. Wow. The Pirates probably lack Tech's pure talent level, but this offense has shown that it can melt down the scoreboard after scoring 100 total points through two games. ECU heads into Lane confident, knowing they can beat the Hokies. This game will end up being a real battle. I think Tech will come out fired up and frenzied, desperate to save their season. The VT running game and defense will finally get on track, and the Hokies will capitalize on some ECU turnovers to pull away late. 40-20, VT
BYU @ Florida State (-8.0)
I'll never pick against the 'Noles when they're playing in Doak Campbell, thanks to the Florida State Gowgirls. FSU crushed BYU, 54-28, last year in Provo. This game is in Tallahassee, Florida State is better than they were a year ago, and BYU is much worse. Here comes another big blowout, and this one is my stone cold lead pipe lock of the week. Bet the Semenholes and give the points. 55-27, Florida State
Alabama (-23.0) @ Duke
Poor Duke. This game will be like the hammer meeting the nail. No, make that the jackhammer meeting the push pin. Roll Tide. 64-14, Bama
Clemson @ Auburn (-6.0)
Very interesting game here. Auburn didn't really wow me in their 17-14 win over Mississippi State on Saturday, but I think MSU is much improved. The spread offense seems to be taking hold in Jordan-Hare, and this game should be an entertaining shootout. I like Clemson's team this year, and I think the absence of superstar C.J. Spiller might actually be good for them, as they are able to diversify that offense a little bit. Winning a game on the road against a quality SEC opponent might be a tall order, though... Hmmmm... Ah, what the heck. 34-26, Clemson
Wake Forest @ Stanford (-16.0)
Here comes the weekly ACC bloodletting, this time in the west coast night cap. Stanford is legit. Wake? Ehh... not so much. Tune in to CSN to rubberneck the carnage. 48-6, Stanford
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