ACC Week 11 picks: Notre Dame vs. Boston College & 3 more

Notre Dame puts its perfect record on the line this weekend when it heads to Chestnut Hill to take on Boston College. We have betting odds and a pick for that marquee matchup as well as three more must-see ACC games.

#2 Notre Dame vs. Boston College

We thought we would get treated to the game of the year in the ACC last Saturday when Clemson headed to Notre Dame, and we were not disappointed. With Clemson leading late, Notre Dame’s offense drove the field in the final moments to tie the game, force overtime, and ultimately prevail, 47-40. It was a fantastic game, a great victory, and potentially set both teams up to still make the final four at the end of the year. 

As Notre Dame fans rushed the field to celebrate, many believed that Boston College would be the best bet this week due to an inevitable rash of COVID-19 cases on the Irish roster. However, that has not been the case. Now at 7-0 SU (3-4 ATS), Notre Dame heads to Boston College as 13.5 point favorites to face the Eagles who are 5-3 SU (and 5-3 ATS).

Head coach Brian Kelly made clear going into last week that it was just another game on the schedule, and will now rely on that message to be effective as the Irish face an inferior team with just as much to lose as they did a week ago.

Boston College starting quarterback Phil Jurkovec has been a solid player for the Eagles in 2020, but he actually began his career at Notre Dame before transferring after failing to win the starting job against current Notre Dame starter, Ian Book.

Book was accurately defined by Mike Tirico on last week’s telecast as a winner, and this Irish roster will continue their winning ways behind Book’s effective play and their powerhouse offensive line. The Irish outgained Boston College 501-191 last year en route to a 40-7 victory, and this team looks every bit as good as that one. Notre Dame is 4-1 ATS in their last five games as a road favorite.

Pick: Notre Dame -13.5

Wake Forest vs. North Carolina

North Carolina continues to flummox bettors, covering spreads with their unstoppable offensive output but also losing a couple games as big favorites. Now they are again positioned as big favorites, set to face Wake Forest.

Wake Forest has experienced a tremendous amount of turmoil in the secondary, with Luke Masterson, Nasir Greer, Coby Davis, and Zion Keith all missing time due to injuries. North Carolina can rack up yards on the ground, but with Sam Howell at QB this is not a team you want to lack depth and quality in the defensive backfield against. The home team is 6-0 ATS in this matchups’ last six contests.

Pick: North Carolina -13.5

Florida State vs. North Carolina State

2-5 FSU travels to Raleigh for a night game against the 4-3 Wolfpack. This line was NCST -7 at open, before skyrocketing up to NCST -10 over a two-hour stretch on Wednesday in response to news that several big name FSU players will no longer remain with the program or are out for the year. Quarterback James Blackman, defensive tackle Marvin Wilson, wide receiver Tamorrion Terry, and offensive lineman Devontay Love-Taylor are all done.

While Terry and Wilson are certainly great players, each has battled injuries throughout the year and their losses won’t be as impactful as their name recognition and draft potential might suggest. NCST quarterback Bailey Hockman is a transfer from FSU and got hit hard frequently in last year’s 31-13 loss to FSU. This line is too large for a team that isn’t good enough to be laying double-digits.

Pick: FSU +10

Louisville vs. Virginia

Virginia got their big win of the season two weeks ago by defeating North Carolina, and then this matchup that was set to take place last week got delayed due to COVID-19 protocols.

Louisville showed defensive weaknesses to start the year, but has played better lately, and is both scoring more points per play on offense and giving up less per play on defense than Virginia over the last three games. Both teams are expected to come into this game healthy, and in the unpredictable middle tiers of the ACC, I like the Cardinals catching points.

Pick: Louisville +3.5

This week's NCAAF schedule features compelling matchups from coast to coast. Check them all out at BetAmerica!