We won’t go as far as saying there is any must see TV this weekend in a conference that, as a whole, lacks a real football identity, but there are some intriguing match ups that should be better than watching that round ball horse crap they call basketball.

I mean, the ACC is at least playing BCS Conference games to get primed and ready for rivalry week unlike a certain other conference who has decided to take the week off to hold 7 on 7′s against a couple high school teams.

Lets take a look at what we have…

UNC @ #8 Virginia Tech (-10.5)

Virginia Tech needs to send a thank you card to the ACC league office after this season. Not sure any team in the top 10 has had an easier schedule to manage in route to their conference title game. This week strolls in a beat up UNC team that has seemingly given up on the season. Virginia Tech tries to continue their win streak as it hosts the Heels in a Thursday night primer in Lane Stadium. The ACC is crossing it’s fingers that the Hokies dont trip down the stretch! They could use a Top 10 match up in Charlotte in a few weeks. Logan Thomas needs to continue his good play against a very good UNC front 7  and the Hokies need to feed David Wilson early and often. The Tarheels did have 2 weeks to prepare for the Hokies but i am not sure an injured Renner can be too effective against a stellar VT secondary.

Virginia Tech Covers

Georgia Tech (-10) @ Duke

I will give it to David Cutcliffe at Duke, if there was an award for a team that plays hard every week but still sucks, they would get it slightly over Vanderbilt. Go ahead and jump on this game as a lock of the week. Georgia Tech is going to be one pissed off football team after that arse whippin’ that the Hokies handed them in Bobby Dodd last week. Cutcliffe says the defense takes days in spring to work on defending Paul Johnson’s triple option offense, but that makes me care why? Tevin Washington will have a field day against this defense and will make the Dookies home crowd once again exit stage left early!

Georgia Tech Covers

#7 Clemson (-8) @ NC State

The Cardiac Cats, as they are calling them, once again made a fourth quarter rally to clinch the division for the second time in three weeks but the Tigers aren’t satisfied. For the second game in a row the offense sputtered and wasn’t the dominant force it was early in the season. They still managed 520 yards of offense but the turnovers are definitely a concern in Tiger Town. Maybe a horrid NC State defense is just what the doctor ordered before they head to Columbia for what could be a huge game against South Carolina. Tajh Boyd had 2 interceptions for the second game ina row but it very easily could have been 6 if not for the drops by wake defenders. The one time Heisman hopeful needs to pull it together this week and possibly without Freshman phenom Sammy Watkins who could be sidelined with a shoulder ailment. That being said, with or without Sammy, NC State’s Sean Glennon and crew won’t be able to score with this Clemson team. Forget the score last week, it was actually Clemson’s defense that stepped up  holding a good Wake offense to 317 yards. Clemson looks to get back rolling and they should. Look to see a lot of playing time from the young guys in this one.

Clemson Covers

Maryland @ Wake Forest (-11)

What is going on with Maryland! Their play is just about as ugly and inconsistent as their uniforms. They come out week 1 and their offense looks unstoppable, then they go into hiding until the Clemson game, and now back into hiding. What’s going on in College Park. Do I hear whispers that they miss the Fridge? Sure as hell should! Wake Forest is coming off a disasterous loss in Death Valley but I don;t think that will be enough to keep them from curb stomping a bad Maryland team. Look for QB Taylor Price and WR Chris Givens to get back on track against a Maryland defense that is looking for a pulse. Wake can still finish this season off on a high note and exceed everyone’s preseason expectations for the Deacs. Maryland on the other hand is looking forward to round ball season.

Wake Wins, doesn’t cover

Miami (-1.5) @ South Florida

A game of two middle of the road Florida Teams fighting to see who is the least irrelevant in the scope of college football. Both teams look to become bowl eligible. Miami is coming off a loss to Florida State in which the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind provided celebrity officials and South Florida stopped a 4 game skid against Syracuse. It is hard to know what to expect from either of these teams. Both have looked like contenders and pretenders at times this season. The Bulls have made my preseason prediction of them representing the Big East in the Orange Bowl a bad one, and Miami is…well…Miami. The Hurricane hope to win out for yet another disappointing season while South Florida hopes to catch magic in a bottle and finish the year on an upward trend. The key to this game will be Jacory Harris and BJ Daniels. Which QB executes better and which protects the ball. Both have been known to make bone headed decisions and both are turnover prone. So far this season, Harris has been the more consistent and Miami has been the more solid of the two on a regular basis. So I am taking the Hurricanes in this match up of Florida irrelevants.

Miami Covers

BC @ #24Notre Dame (-24.5)

Once upon a time boys and girls, there was arivalry between the Irish and Eagles that was on the national radar. Now it is just another scrimmage for the Irish. The Irish appear to be priming themelves for their entry into the ACC with their third straight game against the conference. Playing these middle fo the road ACC teams has to have them feeling good about the possibility of becoming a member in the future right? Look for Cierre Wood and Jomas Gray to have a big day for the Irish as they both have their eyes set on the 1000 yard rushing mark. I don;t see Rees and Floyd having to do too much in this one. Boston College is beyond bad and this rivalry is just a speed bump as Notre Dame races to the finish line and tried to make it’s case for a BCS bowl game.

Notre Dame Covers

Virginia @ #23 Florida State

Who in the world would think in week 12 we would be able to say “Virginia controls their own destiny in the ACC Atlantic!” Virginia goes into Doak and wins and then upsets rival Virginia Tech next weeka nd their are some pissed off Hokie fans with ACCCG tickets in their hands. But as I shake my magic 8 ball it says “Not Likely” Virginia’s little dream comes to an end this week when a, now healthy, Florida State teams knocks them back down to reality. EJ Manuel and crew teamed up with their athletic, hard hitting defense will make it a long day for the Cavaliers. Virginia is moving in the right direction but they are not quite there yet. Nigel Bradham returns after what may be the worst ejection in college football history, to make Michael Rocco and Perry Jones life hell. Now that the pressure is off Florida State, they have played the football everyone expected them to preseason.

Florida State Covers