ACC Pick of the Week: South Carolina @ Clemson

Clemson is a huge favorite in this one, but South Carolina will keep this one closer than expected. The Gamecocks are a great pick at +24, and there’s a few reasons why. First, the Gamecocks offense has been completely different with Jake Bentley at quarterback. There is talent at the skill positions–most namely Deebo Samuel and Bryan Edwards–and Bentley’s arm strength allows South Carolina to throw the ball down the field. In turn, that has opened up some major holes for the run game.

Rico Dowdle has emerged as a threat in the backfield, and he is coming off a career-high, 226-yard performance against Western Carolina. The big plays have hurt Clemson’s defense over the last two seasons, and South Carolina will have opportunities to exploit that weakness on Saturday. Samuel and Edwards have the athleticism to get yards after the catch, and tight end Hayden Hurst could be a mismatch in coverage.

Clemson is explosive offensively with a lot of talent at wide receiver, but turnovers have been a big issue. The Tigers are going to have to protect the ball to win this game, and that’s another reason why I like South Carolina with the points. The Gamecocks enter Saturday’s game with 24 takeaways, which is tied for sixth nationally.

Also, South Carolina is 6-1 ATS in its last seven games against the Tigers.

The Pick: South Carolina (+24)

Bonus Pick: Georgia Tech @ Georgia

The Bulldogs defense has been spotty all year, and Georgia Tech’s ability to run the ball will be a major factor. Georgia has given up 186.7 yards per game on the ground in its three non-conference games, and that’s something Tech will try to take advantage of.

The Pick: Georgia Tech (+4)

Trending up: The bowl season outlook for the ACC

The ACC currently has nine teams with six wins or more, and N.C. State and Boston College can both reach that mark with victories this weekend. The SEC (10) is the only conference with more right now.

Trending down: Bronco Mendenhall’s opening act

Back-to-back wins over Central Michigan and Duke got Virginia to 2-3 early, and things looked promising in Bronco Mendenhall’s first season as head coach. Virginia has since lost six in a row, falling to 2-9 on the year. Things don’t get easier this week against in-state rival Virginia Tech, either. Mendenhall will get a pass this year, but ending the season with seven straight losses would not be a good way to build momentum in his program.