We’re not too jacked up for this weekend in the ACC, but there are a few spreads to exploit this week.
In five games, only one of them feature a spread that’s less than a touchdown. And that game features Duke against Virginia Tech…not the most intriguing national matchup.
Here are two games we’ll keep an eye on this weekend. Last week’s betting guide for each major conference went 4-4, with a 1-1 mark in the ACC. Overall for the season, the betting guides have been 7-7 in the ACC and 35-33 overall in the power-five conferences.
Pittsburgh at Syracuse (+7)
Pittsburgh should be happy with its resurgence this season. The Panthers are 5-1 this season straight up and 4-2 against the spread. The defense has been one of the best units in college football with new head coach Pat Narduzzi, and the offense hasn’t been too bad either.
The Panthers have been a team stuck in mediocrity for years, so the expectations are beginning to rise. Before the season, oddsmakers set the over/under at six wins for the Panthers, and we joked it was a perfect number since the Panthers usually win exactly six times in the regular season.
We know everyone on the East Coast is getting excited about Pittsburgh, but we hate the Panthers as a favorite. Pittsburgh is 1-2 against the spread this season as a favorite and in this game, it’s coming into this game as a road favorite.
The Orange are 3-3 straight up and has scored several points this season. The biggest drawback to Syracuse has been its defense, and last week, the defense gave up a 10-point fourth quarter lead during a loss to Virginia.
But Syracuse was the better team for the majority of that game and freshman quarterback Eric Dungey has been lights out recently, going for nine touchdowns to one interception in his last three games.
We’re getting a touchdown and it’s at home. We’re going with the Orange. — Go against the chalk with Syracuse
Boston College at Louisville (-7.5)
We feel a bit sorry for Boston College this season. It’s not entirely its fault it can’t score since its starting quarterback is out for the season.
Right now, though, the Eagles can’t score and we’re seeing some improvement in the Cardinals.
We were disappointed in Louisville not covering last week against Florida State, but Louisville was the better team for a half at Tallahassee, Florida.
We understand the Eagles have a solid defense, but if you can’t score, there’s just no way to cover touchdown spreads. The Eagles are 3-3-1 against the spread this season, but most of those wins came during the early part of the season. In the last four games, Boston College is 1-3 against the spread.
That streak will continue since Boston College can’t score. The Cardinals are improving, so we’re giving the edge to the team with the ability to score. — Go chalk with Louisville
Other ACC games
Odds provided by Oddsshark
North Carolina State (-9.5) at Wake Forest
Duke at Virginia Tech (-3)
Virginia at North Carolina (-18)
Florida State (-6.5) at Georgia Tech
