ACC Football Picks, Spreads For Week 5
ACC football picks and spreads for Week 5 of the 2015 season, including Notre Dame vs. Clemson, Miami vs. Cincinnati, and FSU vs. Wake Forest.
ACC football picks and spreads for Week 5 of the 2015 college football season. This week’s slate includes seven games, highlighted by Saturday night’s showdown in Death Valley between Notre Dame and Clemson. Both teams enter undefeated, but only one can leave unblemished and a step closer to the College Football Playoff. Will it be the Fighting Irish or Tigers? Scroll down for predictions.
Week 5 ACC Football Picks And Spreads
Miami at Cincinnati
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Nippert Stadium
The backfield of Kaaya and Yearby aside, there’s nothing overly special about Miami. Good team, but not yet title-caliber. Cincinnati, however, is reeling from injuries and the inability to make defensive stops. Moore has a live arm, but he won’t be able to outduel Kaaya, as the Hurricanes inch closer to a spot at the tail end of the Top 25.
Pick: Miami
Spread: Miami -6.5
For final score prediction, check out our Miami vs. Louisville game preview.
Pitt at Virginia Tech
Date: Saturday, Oct. 3
Kickoff: 12:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Lane Stadium
The defenses will win the day. Points will come at a premium. And the outcome will be in doubt in the final few minutes. Back at home and facing a must-win situation, Virginia Tech will convert one additional field goal attempt, the margin of victory in a toss-up game that could go either way on Saturday.
Pick: Virginia Tech
Spread: Virginia Tech -4.5
For final score prediction, check out our Virginia Tech vs. Pitt game preview.
Louisville at NC State
Date: Saturday, Oct. 3
Kickoff: 12:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Carter-Finley Stadium
Is NC State as good as the numbers show right now? No. But the team is good enough, particularly on offense, to ride the hot start—and the home crowd—to a win over a work-in-progress Louisville squad. While running the ball on the Cards is rarely simple, the Pack will pound away with Dayes and Brissett to wear down the front seven. Until Lamar Jackson becomes a more complete quarterback, Louisville will find it hard to defeat quality opponents.
Pick: NC State
Spread: NC State -4.5
For final score prediction, check out our Louisville vs. NC State game preview.
Boston College at Duke
Date: Saturday, Oct. 3
Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Nippert Stadium
Not much separates Duke and Boston College, a couple of teams winning with defense and methodical offenses. But the Blue Devils are in better shape behind center and on special teams. And in a low-scoring game that could hinge on field goals, PK Ross Martin will provide the difference for the Devils.
Pick: Duke
Spread: Duke -6.5
For final score prediction, check out our Boston College vs. Duke game preview.
UNC at Georgia Tech
Date: Saturday, Oct. 3
Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Bobby Dodd Stadium
Back home—and with backs firmly against the wall—Georgia Tech will show glimpses of the team that began 2015 with such high expectations. Carolina has struggled with the triple-option, and Thomas will carry the Jackets on his back if it’s necessary to avoid a three-game losing streak.
Pick: Georgia Tech
Spread: Georgia Tech -7
For final score prediction, check out our Georgia Tech vs. UNC game preview.
FSU at Wake Forest
Date: Saturday, Oct. 3
Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. ET
Venue: BB&T Field
While Florida State is an incomplete team at this stage, it still enjoys a substantial talent edge on Wake Forest. The Deacons’ offensive problems will be heightened Saturday. And Cook and Golson will deliver enough third-down and red-zone conversions to put the Seminoles in the clear over the final 20 minutes.
Pick: FSU
Spread: Florida State -19
For final score prediction, check out our FSU vs. Boston College game preview.
Notre Dame at Clemson
Date: Saturday, Oct. 3
Kickoff: 8:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Tiger Stadium
Clemson has the quarterback and the crowd, which are huge. But Notre Dame can quiet that crowd and harass that quarterback because of its superior collection of linemen. This is no doubt a rough spot for Kizer, which is why Prosise and the O-line will play such critical roles in the outcome. Plus, this is the week that the shaky Tiger offensive front gets exposed by inventive Irish coordinator Brian VanGorder. It’ll be close, but ND survives to remain unbeaten and in the playoff hunt.
Pick: Notre Dame
Spread: PK
For final score prediction, check out our Notre Dame vs. Clemson game preview.
