Week 9: Picks for the ACC, and the rest of the SEC

Welcome back to our Week 9 previews and picks. The beauty of gambling is that you can always, ALWAYS, find interesting action even if the games aren't all over the marquee. They won't be this week, as everyone at ESPN, on the radio and online are waiting for next week's Alabama-LSU matchup in Tuscaloosa. But, if you're willing to do your homework, there are a ton of good matchups to lay a little scratch down on this weekend. Without further delay, let's get to it...

ACC-
Miami (FL) -13.5 vs. Virginia
Florida State -19 vs. NC State
Duke +15 vs. Virginia Tech
Maryland -7.5 vs. Boston College
North Carolina -7 vs. Wake Forest
Georgia Tech +4 vs. Clemson

Marcus Says...

Georgia Tech +4 vs. Clemson
Clemson is continuing to party like it’s 1981 as they roll in Atlanta to face the Yellow Jackets in primetime. The Tigers have risen to #5 in the BCS poll and QB Tajh Boyd is looking to build upon what is an under the radar Heisman resume. While the Tiger offense is scoring 40.6 points per game, the defense is giving up an average of 25. Georgia Tech’s explosive offense led by QB Tevin Washington and RB Orwin Smith have to be looking at that. Tech has stumbled the last two weeks on the road, but return to Bobby Dodd Stadium looking to get back on track and spoil Clemson’s dream season. I expect a shoot out in the ATL on Saturday night and am leaning towards Tech and the points.

SEC-
Georgia -3 @ Florida
South Carolina -4 @ Tennessee
Arkansas -10 @ Vanderbilt
Ole Miss @ Auburn -10.5
Mississippi St. -10 @ Kentucky


Kyle Says...
Georgia -3 @ Florida
This battle in the SEC East is like Brad Pitt’s shitty looking brother: It’ll have to do till the real thing arrives in the SEC West showdown between LSU and Alabama next week. Georgia brings a strong defensive resume, minus a slip-up last week against Vandy, into the Swamp against a struggling Florida offense. The Gators haven’t scored more than 11 points in the three weeks since they were pantsed by Alabama, and their defense, which is solid, has been forced onto the field for far too long. The week off may help the Gators get back on track a bit, but not enough to hold off the Bulldogs, who cover in a win.

South Carolina -4 @ Tennessee
Brandon Wilds is NOT Marcus Lattimore, and the Gamecocks, without their star RB, are in danger of losing their precarious foothold in the SEC East race. Connor Shaw is still settling in at QB and can’t seem to consistently hook up with anyone not named Alshon Jeffery. That said, freshman QB Justin Worley is taking the reins of a severely one-dimensional offense for the Vols, who cannot run the ball. The Cocks have been far more consistent on the defensive side of the ball this season, especially against the pass, and Worley will have a hard time getting anything going without a rushing attack. South Carolina covers, but it aint going to be pretty.