Who had Syracuse knocking off Clemson?

I didn’t. In fact, I said Clemson would easily cover because Syracuse didn’t have the horses. But they certainly did in this game.

Seismic, trajectory-altering win for Dino Babers and his Orange squad. He certainly has Cuse on the way up. He also did NC State a favor, firmly putting the Pack in the driver’s seat in the Atlantic. State overcame a sluggish start against Pitt and avoided falling victim to the dreaded trap game. Now they get an extra week to prepare for Notre Dame and what should be a massive showdown against Clemson.

Nov. 4 will also feature a massive showdown in the Coastal between Miami and Virginia Tech. Miami squeaked by a pesky Georgia Tech team, but finds itself in the driver’s seat as well.

Here’s what in store this week. All games are Saturday.

Louisville (4-3, 1-3 ACC) @ Florida State (2-3, 2-2 ACC)

Doak Campbell Stadium — Tallahassee, FL — 12:00pm (ESPN)

Spread: FSU -7

It’s been a rough year for these two teams. Florida State seems to have a little more positive momentum than Louisville right now. You know you have defensive issues when BC rolls up 45 points on you. Lamar Jackson can only do so much without a supporting cast. While last year’s beatdown of FSU is still fresh in everyone’s mind, I’ll take the Seminoles this time around.

Pittsburgh (2-5, 0-3 ACC) @ Duke (4-3, 1-3 ACC)

Wallace Wade Stadium — Durham, NC — 12:20pm (ACC Network)

Spread: Duke -8

This one is kind of a snoozefest that I don’t have much to say about. But it’s a critical game for Duke’s bowl hopes. Daniel Jones should be able to carve up an anemic Pitt secondary, but I could see the Panthers hanging around for awhile. Duke in a squeaker to keep its postseason ambitions intact.

Boston College (3-4, 1-3 ACC) @ Virginia (5-1, 2-0 ACC)

Scott Stadium — Charlottesville, VA — 12:30pm (ACC Network)

Spread: Virginia -7

I’m too lazy to look up the last time UVA started a season 6-1, but I imagine it’s been a long time. Really impressive start for Bronco Mendenhall’s squad that everyone shit on at the beginning of the season — myself included. BC is riding high after running over Louisville’s defense. Steve Addazio, I’m sure, is planning on handing the ball off to AJ Dillon 45 times. Problem is, UVA’s D is a lot better.

I expect a low-scoring slugfest that Virginia wins because of Addazio’s horrendous game management.

Syracuse (4-3, 2-1 ACC) @ #8 Miami (5-0, 3-0 ACC)

Hard Rock Stadium — Miami Gardens, FL — 3:30pm (ESPN)

Spread: -16.5

Syracuse gets another opportunity to knock off a Top 10 opponent this weekend. But I don’t expect it to happen two weeks in a row. I still don’t fully buy the Miami hype, but I think they’ve got too much firepower to slip up at home. I think this one will be entertaining because of the offense, but The U wins by double-digits.

PS: How in the **** did Syracuse lose to Middle Tennessee State?

North Carolina (1-6, 0-4 ACC) @ #14 Virginia Tech (5-1, 1-1 ACC)

Lane Stadium — Blacksburg, VA — 3:30pm (ESPN2)

Spread: VT -21

I keep looking for a silver lining somewhere for UNC, but I won’t find it on the gridiron this year. If you’re a Heels fan, just be happy that the NCAA is useless. VT shouldn’t have any problem dispatching Carolina at home.

Wake Forest (4-2, 1-2 ACC) @ Georgia Tech (3-2, 2-1 ACC)

Bobby Dodd Stadium — Atlanta, GA — 7:30pm (ESPNU)

Spread: Georgia Tech -6.5

This is my game of the week in a week full of not-so-great games. This should be a competitive, close game and I’m taking Wake in the upset. Georgia Tech came oh so close to knocking off Miami last week and should have a bit of an emotional hangover. Wake is well-coached on both sides of the ball and should be 5-1 right now.

Byes

NC State

Clemson

Photo credit Syracuse Athletics.