Miami-Georgia Tech, N.C. State-Clemson Highlight Vegas ACC Predictions Week 6
Saturday Blitz Vegas ACC Predictions Week 6
Virginia Tech Hokies at North Carolina Tar Heels
Line: Virginia Tech by 2.5
Here’s a battle between two teams that have been a big letdown to their fans at times this year but are trying to get back on track. After beating Ohio State and then disappointing everybody with two straight losses, Virginia Tech got back on track last week with a 35-17 win against Western Michigan, but the problems facing the team are still the same. Michael Brewer can’t stop turning the ball over in games. His turnovers have kept them from being undefeated, but he’s also made great plays as well, which helped them beat Ohio State. In order to beat a disappoint UNC team this weekend that has an absolute terrible defense, Brewer needs to light up the scoreboard and not throw interceptions. If they do that, this is a comfortable win. If not, UNC has a good enough offense to get the win.
For the Tar Heels, the issue remains in the secondary, but the offense is at least putting up points. Still, it’s disappointing to be 2-2 after losing to East Carolina and Clemson when they started the year in the Top 25. To get back on track, Larry Fedora’s squad needs to try to force Brewer into being Brewer and making lots of mistakes in crucial moments of the game. The guy already has 10 interceptions on the year, so it shouldn’t be too difficult, even for this defense. But it has to get enough turnovers to make this a game, and then the offense has to come through with Marquise Williams to make sure it scores enough points to pull off the upset. In a high-scoring game with turnovers by Brewer, the Tar Heels would be able to pull this out at home.
Prediction
North Carolina is going to force Brewer into making early mistakes, but Virginia Tech will have a season-defining turnaround in the game to end up pulling away with the victory. The defense will get enough stops to keep it close early, and Brewer will finally find himself and get into a rhythm in the second half for the Hokies to pull out an easy enough win on the road.
Virginia Tech: 34 North Carolina: 21