Week 2 Game Picks
Well... Neither Woodrow's Winners nor I are off to a very good start after week 1, but the good news is that there's plenty of time for improvement.
Last Week:
The ACC Guru: 5-7
Woodrow's Winners: 4-8
Week 2
Louisville (+6.5) at UCF- Friday 7:30 PM ESPN2
The ACC Guru: Louisville was dominated by Syracuse, but I think that had more to do with Syracuse’s defense than Louisville’s lack of offense. This game has the potential for big fireworks. John Rhys Plumlee looks like he didn’t have any problem switching back to playing QB. I want to take the over in this one, but since we’re just picking game lines, I’ll take UCF to barely cover. Knights by a TD with the extra point.
Woodrow's Winners: Can we just agree to take the over here, no matter what it’s set at and count that as our official pick? I’ll take UCF at home as I’m not trusting Louisville until further notice (probably never this season, like almost every other team in this conference)
Southern Miss at Miami (-26.5) Saturday 12 PM ACCN
The ACC Guru: Miami rolled last week, but they were playing Bethune-Cookman. Southern Miss should provide a little more of a challenge, but they are coming off a home loss to Liberty. Miami wins this one big, again.
Woodrow's Winners: Miami rolls again. I love them against bad teams all year and might be undervalued in the metrics. Take them every week until it evens out.
Wake Forest (-13) at Vanderbilt Saturday 12PM SECN
The ACC Guru: Sam Hartman is back! The line jumped 5 points after that announcement, but I still don’t think that was enough. Vanderbilt struggled with Elon and beat Hawaii who might be the worst team in the FBS. Wake Forest will cover- Lock of the week.
Woodrow's Winners: It was VMI, Mr. Guru….but Hartman is back! Vandy went across the world and beat Hawaii—who is v bad. This is one of those games where I think the line should be higher in Wake’s favor so then immediately I decide to bet Wake because it’s too easy…so I’m fading myself and going Vandy.
Duke (+9.5) at Northwestern Saturday 12PM FS1
The ACC Guru: I was confused when this line came out, too. Duke looked great last week, and Northwestern beat a bad Nebraska team. Northwestern should be favored because they’re at home, but I thought this should be a 3 or 4 point line. I’m taking Duke to keep it within a one possession game.
Woodrow's Winners: I actually don’t think I’ve ever won a game I bet in which Northwestern was playing. They always beat me no matter which way I go. Give me them at home and congrats to Duke in advance for the ML upset.
North Carolina (-7.5) at Georgia State Saturday 12PM ESPNU
The ACC Guru: I can promise you that there will plenty of points scored in his game and it has nothing to do with Georgia State. Carolina’s defense is SOOO bad. Georgia State will be able to score with UNC, but I think Drake Maye and company will be able to out-pace them enough to cover, especially if Josh Downs is back.
Woodrow's Winners: Going to Boone and putting up a 60 burger is mighty impressive. They might go to Atlanta and put up 70. Carolina cruises.
Charleston Southern at NC State (-42.5) Saturday 12:30 PM ESPN3
The ACC Guru: The Wolfpack were in a really tough spot last week, but they were able to survive. I think they’ll re-group this week and completely blow out the Bucs. NC State BIG.
Woodrow's Winners: We both knew NC State was going to struggle last week and they return home to a friendly environment. I’ll take NC State here to right the ship and put in a dominating performance.
Furman at Clemson (-44.5) Saturday 3:30 PM ACCN
The ACC Guru: That’s a lot of points to score for an offense that didn’t look great for 3 quarters against Georgia Tech; however, they might only have to score 45 points to cover the spread. I’m not betting against Clemson again this week.
Woodrow's Winners: Clemson still isn’t without their struggles on offense, but that defense is still incredible and should hold Furman to a low total, but 44.5 is a LOT. Give me Furman with a backdoor cover against Clemson’s second team D.
Tennessee at Pitt (+6.5) Saturday 3:30 PM ABC
The ACC Guru: The number 17 team in the country is a touchdown underdog to the 24th ranked team in the country. Obviously, Vegas is smarter than the AP voters, but this one doesn’t make sense. Pitt looked really good against a West Virginia team that I think is better than we thought. Tennessee looks great so far, but they plated Ball State. Give me the Panthers to keep it close.
Woodrow's Winners: I don’t think Pitt was THAT impressive against WVU the other night and Tennessee played a cupcake. I think the Vols are the real deal this year, and while they won’t eventually beat Georgia, will give them something to think about. Give me Hooker and co up in Pittsburgh.
Virginia (+4.5) at Illinois Saturday 4 PM ESPNU
The ACC Guru: Virginia never gave up the big play against Richmond, but the Spiders were able to chunk 7 or 8 yards a carry right up the middle for the entirety of the game, and now the Hoos are going on the road to Illinois who has an absolute stud at running back in Chase Brown. I’ll be pleasantly surprised if I’m wrong, but I think the Illini take this one by at least a TD.
Woodrow's Winners: Illinois has looked decent in their two games, despite falling on the road to Indiana. Being at home will help the Illini here, but gut feeling says UVA picks up a road win. Give me the Cavs and the ML.
Syracuse (-23) at UConn Saturday 7 PM CBSSN
The ACC Guru: UConn hasn’t won a game against an FBS team since October of 2019, and it’s not happening this week either. I don’t care that the game is on the road, the Orange should run away with this one.
Woodrow's Winners: Syracuse got a big win over Louisville last week and will continue their hot start on the road at UConn. Line couldn’t be high enough to talk me out of it.
Western Carolina at Georgia Tech (-22.5) Saturday 7 PM ESPN+
The ACC Guru: Georgia Tech ran out of gas after 3 quarters against Clemson. If they only have 3 quarters in them this week, it should still be enough to easily take care of the Catamounts. Yellow Jackets roll.
Woodrow's Winners: GT showed some flashes last week. I always worry about teams with less depth after taking a little bit of a beating from a big dog. I’ll take GT against the FCS here regardless.
Boston College at Virginia Tech (-2.5) Saturday 8 PM ACCN
The ACC Guru: The 2 most disappointing ACC teams from Week 1 now get to play each other and one of them will get to be undefeated in conference. I’ve followed Hokie football for a long time and usually when everyone is counting them out, they have a big performance. Under the lights in Lane Stadium, after a bad loss, I’m taking the Hokies to easily cover.
Woodrow's Winners: Virginia Tech had no business loosing that game and the defense dominated ODU for about 59 minutes. Grant Wells should get back on track this week at home. Hokies rebound and win in their home debut.