Imagine being the Duke football team.
Pretty much everyone in the country knows the Blue Devils technically won that game last week against Miami, but there’s a big “L” in the loss column from the outing. That has to sting.
Bettors should take note of that situation going forward. Those kinds of losses have a chance to completely derail a team or unite them. This week should give us plenty of indication which one will be true.
Here are two games we’ll keep an eye on this weekend. Last week’s betting guide for each major conference went 7-1 and was 2-0 in the ACC. Overall for the season, the betting guides have been 10-8 in the ACC and 47-39 overall in the power-five conferences.
Duke at North Carolina (-7.5)
Let’s say Duke wins that game last week. What would the spread be this week?
We have a sneaking suspicion it wouldn’t be more than a touchdown. This is the same Blue Devils team that was a double-digit favorite last week. Now, they find themselves as more than a touchdown underdog.
We had the Blue Devils as big favorites. We talked about that last week, and that’s why we picked the Hurricanes. It wasn’t because we believe in Miami; it’s because Duke is a bad double-digit favorite.
With that being said, the Blue Devils are a good underdog, especially in a rivalry setting. North Carolina is good and it should win this game. But we believe last week will bring the Blue Devils together and with this being a rivalry, we’re not just handing the win to the Tar Heels.
This game stays close throughout. — Go against the chalk with Duke
North Carolina State (-1) at Boston College
We’re not sold on either of these teams, but we have to face the facts. Boston College can’t score.
That offense is pathetic. In ACC games this season, the Eagles have totaled more than 10 points only twice in six games. The defenses are competent in the ACC, but we’re not talking about early 2000s Baltimore Ravens.
Boston College looked terrible last week in a game it should have competed against Virginia Tech. Instead, the Eagles lost by more than two touchdowns, forcing them to still be searching for their first conference victory.
That’s not coming this week. We’ve been hard on the Wolfpack this season because of its awful non-conference slate and they’ve pretty much shown us that the 4-0 start to the season was a mirage.
Running back Matthew Dayes is out for the remainder of the season with an injury, but the Wolfpack will show some urgency in this game to get to bowl eligibility, especially with likely only one other winnable game left on the schedule.
The Eagles just can’t keep up with any offenses and the Wolfpack should be able to move the ball against Boston College. — Go chalk with North Carolina State
Other ACC games
Notre Dame (-9) at Pittsburgh
Syracuse at Louisville (-14)
Virginia at Miami (-7.5)
Florida State at Clemson (-11)
