Predicting ACC football scores in Week 4: Clemson looks to win three in a row
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We’ve reached Week 4 of the college football slate and most of the ACC schools will be playing this weekend. Both North Carolina and Syracuse will get a break and resume action next weekend, and while there aren’t any ranked matchups in the ACC this weekend, there are still some storylines to follow.
Clemson won a big game against North Carolina in Week 3 and Dabo Swinney is looking to make it three wins in a row. The Tigers have been a shell of what they were, but Swinney can get some buy back with the fans if Clemson can pull out wins.
Here is how each ACC game could shake out this weekend.
More: Stock up, stock down from college football Week 3: The Gators’ offense is back
Clemson vs. Cal
It didn’t appear that either Clemson or North Carolina wanted to win last weekend, but after a weather delay that took hours, the Tigers’ defense came out roaring and helped lead Clemson to a 28-20 win over the Tar Heels. It was a win Dabo Swinney needed and he got contributions from his playmakers.
Freshman quarterback Tait Reynolds passed for 215 yards and a score, while running back Gideon Davidson ran for 105 yards and a score. The Tigers have a better defense than they showed in Week 1 against LSU, but they are going to be challenged this weekend.
Cal quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele continues to put up big numbers and he has thrown for 866 yards and seven touchdowns this season. The key for Sagapolutele is to cut down on the turnovers. Cal has some playmakers at wide receiver and with the Bears being the home team, they have to have an edge in this one.
Final score: Cal 27, Clemson 24
Wake Forest vs. No. 16 Louisville
Louisville took a tough loss in Week 1 against Ole Miss, and had chances to beat the Rebels, but Jeff Brohm’s team landed a signature win over SMU this past weekend. Quarterback Lincoln Kienholz continues to look like the right signal-caller for Brohm, and he helped lead the Cardinals to a 41-31 win over the Mustangs.
What makes this game a little intriguing is Wake Forest quarterback Gio Lopez. The North Carolina transfer has thrown for 887 yards, seven touchdowns, and one interception this season, and just passed for 312 yards against Miami last weekend.
Louisville should win this game, but if Brohm’s team is caught looking past the Demon Deacons, Lopez and Co. could make them pay.
Final score: Louisville 41, Wake Forest 27
Georgia Tech vs. Stanford
Absolutely nothing has gone right for Georgia Tech after it spent money bringing over quarterback Alberto Mendoza from Indiana and running back Justice Haynes from Michigan. The Yellow Jackets are 1-2 and lost their opening two games to both Colorado and Tennessee.
At some point, the offense has to click, and it has a chance to do so this weekend. Stanford allowed 45 and 37 points to both Miami and Duke, respectively, in the last two weeks. The Cardinal offense has had some life with Michigan transfer Davis Warren behind center, but he’s not a player who is going to win a shootout.
If Georgia Tech can establish the run with Haynes and Mendoza makes some passes, the Yellow Jackets should get to .500 on the year.
Final score: Georgia Tech 24, Stanford 14
The rest of the games will be quick-hitter style
- Pitt 48, Bucknell 3
- Virginia Tech 34, Boston College 17
- Florida State 48, Central Arkansas 10
- Duke 51, William & Mary 7
- Virginia 38, Delaware 24
- No. 6 Miami 49, Central Michigan 6
- NC State 31, App State 17
- No. 22 SMU 56, Missouri State 7
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