Last Week: 5-2 Overall: 77-26
Virginia vs. Virginia Tech
After stuffing yourself with leftover turkey and surviving ravenous crowds at your local mall, you get sit down and watch some Friday night football. And you get what ends up being a pretty meaningful game between two very mediocre teams. The winner goes bowling, and the loser stays home. The Hokies have won the last 11 in this matchup, although the Cavs have been competitive in the past two meetings. The Cavs should be competitive in this game again. This will be a bit of a defensive struggle/offensive hair yanker. I can't see Virginia Tech being as inept as they were last week. They'll score, but not a lot. It's been a decade of futility, but the streak ends here. Virginia 17, Virginia Tech 13
Georgia Tech vs. Georgia
Another in state rivalry that's been one sided. The Bulldogs have won five straight, and have only lost to the Yellow Jackets twice this century. The Bulldogs are a tough team to stop on the ground, even without Todd Gurley. Freshman Nick Chubb has rushed for 1152 yards so far this season. And he's going up against Georgia Tech's 75th ranked run defense. He should have a pretty productive day. Expect Georgia Tech's rushing attack to do a lot, as Georgia's run defense isn't much better. I still like Georgia's defense better, and the Bulldogs will win once again. Georgia 31, Georgia Tech 28
Kentucky vs. Louisville
Another in state rivalry that has a team on a winning a streak. Noticing a trend here? This one, Louisville has won three in a row. The Wildcats need this win to become bowl eligible. Louisville is looking to finish their season with double digit wins (counting a possible bowl win). The big thing to note here is Louisville has the seventh best defense in the country in terms of total defense, while Kentucky is 71st. Louisville's running game has been really strong over the last four weeks, and that trend should continue here. Louisville wins pretty handily. Louisville 31, Kentucky 20
South Carolina vs. Clemson
The trend continues here. This in state rivalry has been dominated by the Gamecocks, who have won the last five in this series. Who wins this game to me comes down to whether Deshaun Watson plays or not. He is a difference maker for the Tigers, and if he can't play, then I give little chance to the Tigers of winning here. Even against a 1-10 Georgia State team, Cole Stoudt was very mediocre, throwing for just 132 yards. As of this posting, Watson is listed as questionable, and I am basing this prediction on him playing. South Carolina's defense is next to last in the SEC, and will give up yards in chunks. Even with a limited Watson, Clemson's running attack will lead them to victory. Clemson 34, South Carolina 23
Syracuse vs. Boston College
This isn't an in state rivalry, but it is a rivalry nonetheless. This dates back to their old days in the Big East. Both were pretty solid teams back then. BC is on their way up, and Syracuse is on the slide. We saw what BC can do with their running game last week against Florida State, and they should be able to do that here. Syracuse is a mess on offense. They can't run the ball, and passing is a bit of a crapshoot. This should be an easy win for the Eagles. Boston College 35, Syracuse 14
NC State vs. North Carolina
I did not expect both of these teams to be bowl eligible going in to this game, much less have the same record. I thought UNC would, but I thought NC State would still be trying to work their way back towards bowl eligibility. I am really impressed with the way UNC (mostly Marquise Williams) has played of late. He's done most everything for the Heels of late. The Wolfpack have been getting by with their running attack. This is one of those instances where I prefer the offense more than the defense. I like the Heels here. UNC 38, NC State 21
Florida vs. Florida State
The intrigue for this game is very. You have the team whose head coach is coaching his final game for the team, and you have the team who is one win away from running the table in the regular season for the second straight season. The Gators players are going to play very hard for Will Muschamp, but they are the far less talented team. The Seminoles keep winning despite facing all sorts of adversities. Jameis Winston has been playing very well, and the emergence of Dalvin Cook has been huge for the Noles. I like FSU in a more comfortable fashion compared to last week. Florida State 27, Florida 17
Wake Forest vs. Duke
One team is on a one game winning streak. The other is Duke. The Deacs didn't play that well last week against Virginia Tech, but the Hokies played worse, which helped lead to the Deacs first conference win. Duke has fallen from first in the Coastal division, and while they are second, could still finish as low as sixth if they lose. I don't think they will though. Duke will use the running game frequently here, and won't rely on Anthony Boone a lot. Duke should win here. Duke 24, Wake Forest 10
Pittsburgh vs. Miami
The two best running backs in the ACC meet here, although Pitt's James Conner's status is uncertain going in to this game. Conner leads the ACC in rushing attempts, rushing yards, and touchdowns. Duke Johnson has been good this year, but struggled last week against Virginia. He should get back on track this week. I'm basing this on Conner playing this week. If he doesn't play, then Miami should win handily. Regardless, I like the Hurricanes to win and keep Pitt from going to a bowl. Miami 28, Pitt 24
