« Big East Coast BiACC - Big East Preview, Week 8 | Main | Big Number Country - Big Ten Preview, Week 8 »

Big East Coast BiACC - ACC Preview, Week 8

October 22, 2010  |  By Benjamin Miraski

So this is what it has come to. A conference has slipped so far among the top six that we don’t even desire to pick games in it any longer.

Such is the case with the ACC, which we have ignored for the past three weeks. And though it has elicited nary a peep from the populace at large, we couldn’t ignore them forever.

And in honor of bringing them back, we have a new member of the staff picking the games, one made of chips and wires.

Yes, the MRI will be selecting your winners in the ACC this week.

The system was never designed to pick against the spread, and so it will only be picking the team more likely to win. But based on those picks, you can make some informed decisions on who to pick on your trip to the local bookie.

So without further ado, let’s see who the MRI loves in the ACC this weekend:

Duke at Virginia Tech (-26.5) - There is little doubt on this one. The MRI loves Virginia Tech. With a percentage chance of winning over 93 percent, I would almost guarantee that Virginia Tech would cover, so go with this combined computer human pick.

Maryland at Boston College (-4) - I really hope no one is watching this game. Maryland, the underdog according to the line, has the better MRI of the two teams, and even at 4-2, is below the mark of the average squad according to the computer. Chalk it up to their pathetic offense and a defense that couldn’t stop your grandmother. The slow turtle you are supposed to fear should be more than simple to outrun. But the MRI likes Maryland in this game (54 percent chance), which means take them to beat the spread.

Georgia Tech at Clemson (-5.5) - Given the running offenses from both teams, the fans will barely get their moneys worth in this game. Over/under on the game time including halftime should be two hours and 45 minutes. The MRI barely likes Clemson and only if you include the home-field advantage. Without that, it barely likes Georgia Tech. So with only a 54 percent chance of Clemson taking this one, the MRI is going to tout Georgia Tech.

Eastern Michigan at Virginia (+24) - Has Eastern Michigan even covered one game this season? Probably, but against the big boys, this is almost a lock. The Cavaliers have a comparable winning chance of their friends across the state, coming in at about 95 percent. So with that, you can be almost assured of a Virginia win and cover.

North Carolina at Miami (-6.5) - Despite their troubles with keeping enough players active to field a team, North Carolina cracked the MRI top 25 this week. That is pretty much a sign that we underestimated the depth of this team and their ability to compete even without their first team. Remember that they are just a couple of plays away from being undefeated this year, which would have all those rumors about Butch Davis’ job silenced in a heartbeat. As you can expect, the MRI like North Carolina in this one with a 54 percent chance of a win on the road. Getting almost a touchdown in addition to that, take the Tar Heels and go to bed a happy bettor.

Lazy Saturday: Florida State, North Carolina State, Wake Forest

Posted October 22, 2010 6:30 PM