The ACC and SEC turned in the best performances of week 1 in college football.
For the ACC, most of the damage came against far lesser opponents, so this week should create a few more challenges. Here’s our betting guide for week 2 in the ACC.
Last week: 10-3 ATS
Tulane at Georgia Tech (-28)
We know we shouldn’t spend much time on Georgia Tech’s demolition of Alcorn State by 63 points last week, but the
Yellow Jackets did lead at halftime 48-0.
Alcorn State isn’t any good, but we’ve had our eye on the Yellow Jackets since the preseason. Georgia Tech’s offense was moving at rate as good as any team toward the end of the last season, and most of those starters returned this year.
Georgia Tech is capable of rolling any opponent on a weekly basis and Tulane put up little resistance against Duke last week while getting beat by 30 points at home. Oddsmakers are likely a little leery about the Yellow Jackets since next week’s game against Notre Dame could lead to a letdown this week.
We don’t see it that way. Georgia Tech has enough experience that while it may not be as motivated against the Green Wave as it will be next week for the Irish, the Yellow Jackets will still take care of business in a blowout.
This one won’t be close, so take the Yellow Jackets. — Georgia Tech
Notre Dame at Virginia (+13)
Speaking of Notre Dame, it must travel to Virginia on Saturday. The Fighting Irish looked unstoppable last week against Texas, so why do we think the Cavaliers are the best pick in this contest?
Texas is bad, especially on offense. Virginia isn’t great on offense either, but that defense isn’t as bad as it looked against UCLA. Virginia will find out far more about itself from week 1’s loss against the Bruins than the Fighting Irish did in its blowout win against Texas.
The betting public has already overreacted to the Fighting Irish. The line opened at 11.5 points and is now at 13. We expect the spread will only increase.
While we don’t believe the Yellow Jackets will falter this week, we believe the Irish may suffer from a lack of focus, based on having another to prepare for another FBS team from a power five conference. We’re not drinking the kool-aid yet for the Irish.
They will beat Virginia, but it won’t be by more than 10 points. — Virginia
Other ACC games with a betting line
Odds provided by Oddsshark
Miami (-17.5) at Florida Atlantic
South Florida at Florida State (-28)
Houston at Louisville (-13)
Wake Forest at Syracuse (-5)
Appalachian State at Clemson (-17.5)
Pittsburgh (-13) at Akron
