ACC Football: Predictions for every week five game

Who will be the winners in the ACC in week five?

Author:
Jackson Caudell
Publish date:
Sep 25, 2023 12:34 PM EDT

In this story:

Week four is now in the books and it is full steam ahead to the final weekend in September.

Last week, Florida State got the biggest win in the conference against Clemson and the Seminoles left no doubt about who the top team in the conference is currently. FSU is now off before they hit the stretch run of their season while Clemson has to make a tricky trip to Syracuse.

The action in the conference is going to get started on Friday night when Louisville travels to NC State to take on the Wolfpack. Both teams won last week, but Louisville was far more impressive against Boston College than NC State was against Virginia.

The big game this week will match No. 17 Duke against No. 11 Notre Dame, where College Gameday will be in town for the first time ever. This is going to be one of the biggest games in school history and a chance for Mike Elko and his program to announce themselves as more than a contender in the ACC.

It has been a perfect two weeks for me on the picks and I am up to 38-6 for the season after going 8-0 last week.

Note: I will have a full breakdown and preview of Georgia Tech vs Bowling Green

So who wins this week?

Friday, Sept. 29th

Louisville (-3) at NC State (7:00 p.m. ESPN)

This is going to be one of the most interesting games in the conference this weekend. Louisville is coming off of a 56-28 beatdown they put on Boston College and Jack Plummer threw for nearly 400 yards and five touchdowns. NC State is 3-1, but they have to have a truly impressive performance, especially on offense. The defense is still playing at a high level, but Brennan Armstrong has been unable to get things going behind a shaky offensive line.

I think I trust the Louisville offense the most out of any unit in this game. Cardinals coach Jeff Brohm is one of the best playcallers in the country and I think Plummer and Jamari Thrash will connect on a few touchdowns to keep Louisville undefeated.

Final Score: Louisville 34, NC State 24

Saturday, Sept. 30th

Clemson (-7) at Syracuse (12:00 p.m. ABC)

This is a tricky game to try and predict. On paper, Clemson is the better team, but they are coming off of a tough loss at home to Florida State and are already out of the college football playoff picture at 2-2. The Orange on the other hand are 4-0, but have not faced a tough schedule and will be without their top receiving option in Oronde Gadsdon.

Clemson still has issues, but they are a much better team than Syracuse in my opinion. The defense will give them fits and Cade Klubnik will make enough big plays to get the Tigers a convincing victory.

Final Score: Clemson 35, Syracuse 17

Virginia at Boston College (-3) (2:00 p.m. CW Network)

Speaking of hard matchups to predict, Boston College vs Virginia is a must win for both teams who are trying to not finish in last place this season. UVA almost pulled off the upset against NC State last Friday and still seem to be playing hard under Tony Elliott. BC on the other hand got destroyed by Louisville and that was a disappointing follow-up to the near upset of Florida State the week before.

This could go either way, but I will take Virginia in a close one.

Final Score: UVA 27, Boston College 24

No. 11 Notre Dame (-5.5) at No. 17 Duke (7:30 p.m. ABC)

Duke quarterback Riley Leonard — Can Duke upset Notre Dame?
Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

This is the big one.

Notre Dame is coming off of a heartbreaking loss to No. 4 Ohio State at the end and the Fighting Irish have to get off the mat quickly because Duke is going to be ready for them.

The Blue Devils have been flying under the radar since they beat Clemson, but they have been dominant. This is going to be a test to see if there is another level this team can hit or if they are just a nice story in the ACC. Quarterback Riley Leonard is playing well and the defense has been lights out all year.

This is likely to be a low-scoring game and I think Notre Dame has the better defense and running game, but the passing attack has to be better than it was last week against the Buckeyes.

Final Score: Notre Dame 24, Duke 14

Pittsburgh (-2.5) at Virginia Tech (8:00 p.m. ACC Network)

Both teams need this in the worst way. Both have lost three in a row and neither team can get the offense going. Brent Pry and the Hokies are coming off of a loss at Marshall, while Pitt lost by double-digits to North Carolina.

It is rare to see both of these programs down so far. Pat Narduzzi has the better track record as a head coach and I think he will find a way to win what will likely be an ugly game in Lane Stadium.

Final Score: Pitt 20, Virginia Tech 10

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