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ACC Football Week 8 Picks, Score Predictions

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By @BZarp

ACC Football Week 8 Picks, Score Predictions

ACC Football Week 3
Joshua S. Kelly - USATODAY Sports

It’s roughly the midway point of the college football season, and while many teams are taking bye weeks, the ACC is in full swing with 13 teams in action and several big-time matchups. The ACC kicks off with a Thursday night game and goes all the way to the primetime game on Saturday night, and here is a prediction for how all seven ACC games in Week 8 will end up.

Virginia Tech at Pittsburgh, Thursday 7:30, ESPN

NCAA Football: Akron at Pittsburgh
Charles LeClaire - USATODAY Sports

Virginia Tech at Pittsburgh, Thursday 7:30, ESPN

NCAA Football: Akron at Pittsburgh
Charles LeClaire - USATODAY Sports

This is a game both teams need to win if they're going to compete in the Coastal Division. Pittsburgh is great at running the ball, but James Conner has been kept in check the past couple of weeks in disappointing Panther losses. If the Hokies can make Pitt one-dimensional on offense, they'll be in good position to steal an important road win.

Prediction: Virginia Tech 28-17

Syracuse at Wake Forest, Noon, ESPN3

Syracuse Beats BC
Mark Konezny - USATODAY Sports

Syracuse at Wake Forest, Noon, ESPN3

Syracuse Beats BC
Mark Konezny - USATODAY Sports

These are two of the worst teams in the ACC looking for their first win. Both will start a freshman at quarterback and both have been decent defensively this season, so expect this to be a low-scoring affair. The difference is the running game, where the Orange have two backs that average six yards per rush, while Wake averages 31 yards per game; that'll be the difference in this one.

Prediction: Syracuse 23-10

Virginia at Duke, 12:30, ESPN3

NCAA Football: Duke at Miami
Steve Mitchell - USATODAY Sports

Virginia at Duke, 12:30, ESPN3

NCAA Football: Duke at Miami
Steve Mitchell - USATODAY Sports

These could be the two best teams in the Coastal Division, making this a pivotal matchup in getting to the ACC Title Game. Duke has been tough to stop on offense this season behind the trio of Anthony Boone, Shaun Wilson and Jamison Crowder. But Virginia has been able to slow down some talented teams with defense. When they need a stop on defense, the Cavs can get one, and that'll win them the game.

Prediction: Virginia 31-28

Clemson at Boston College, 3:30, ESPNU

Clemson DE Corey Crawford applies pressure to Boston College QB Chase Rettig.
Joshua S. Kelly - USATODAY Sports

Clemson at Boston College, 3:30, ESPNU

Clemson DE Corey Crawford applies pressure to Boston College QB Chase Rettig.
Joshua S. Kelly - USATODAY Sports

Boston College has been one of the surprises in the ACC this year, and they have a chance for another marquee win this week. The Eagles have run the ball at will this season behind quarterback Tyler Murphy, but they'll face a stern test facing the Clemson defense. The BC defense has been good too, and they'll make things tough for the Tigers, as Cole Stoudt resumes control of the offense.

Prediction: Clemson 24-23

N.C. State at Louisville, 3:30, ESPN3

NCAA Football: Wake Forest at Louisville
Jamie Rhodes - USATODAY Sports

N.C. State at Louisville, 3:30, ESPN3

NCAA Football: Wake Forest at Louisville
Jamie Rhodes - USATODAY Sports

N.C. State beat four bad teams to begin the year, and they've now lost three in a row against good teams. The Wolfpack face another good team this week, which means the losing is likely to continue. The Cardinals lost a heart-breaker last week, but their defense will be too much for N.C. State to handle, even if Bobby Petrino can't get the offense going.

Prediction: Louisville 31-3

Georgia Tech at North Carolina, 7:00, ESPNU

Georgia Tech Georgia Southern
Mitch Stringer - USATODAY Sports

Georgia Tech at North Carolina, 7:00, ESPNU

Georgia Tech Georgia Southern
Mitch Stringer - USATODAY Sports

At 2-4, North Carolina may be the ACC's biggest disappointment this year. The Tar Heels are giving up 43 points per game, and that doesn't bode well heading into a matchup against Georgia Tech's triple-option offense. North Carolina can score points too, but if their defense isn't prepared, the Yellow Jackets will run all over them.

Prediction: Georgia Tech 45-35

Notre Dame at Florida State, 8:00, ABC

Jameis Winston Florida State
Rob Kinnan - USATODAY Sports

Notre Dame at Florida State, 8:00, ABC

Jameis Winston Florida State
Rob Kinnan - USATODAY Sports

This is a matchup of unbeaten teams and a game neither side can afford to lose if they expect to reach the playoffs. Florida State is not the team they were last year, but there's plenty of reason to believe they'll bring their best on a big stage, especially at home. Irish quarterback Everett Golson has been turnover-prone lately, and that will come back to haunt Notre Dame in a big game like this.

Prediction: Florida State 38-14

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