College Football Bets for Sept. 30: ACC Week 5 Top Picks, Predictions and Odds

Boston College Uses Strong Recent Play to Roll Past Virginia

At first glance, the Virginia Cavaliers vs Boston College Eagles matchup just looks like a game between one 0-4 team and a 1-3 team. But there’s a lot more to take away when looking deeper into this spot.

Boston College nearly pulled off one of the upsets of the year just two weeks ago, falling to Florida State by two points in a result that would have likely set the college football world on fire. But overall, the Eagles have played well offensively in recent weeks, scoring 24 or more points in every game. Their defense has struggled a bit more, but in a matchup with a Virginia team that has struggled on both sides of the ball for much of the start of this season, there’s a lot to like about Boston College.

Eagles quarterback Thomas Castellanos has played well, specifically in the past two weeks, throwing for 305 and 265 yards along with four touchdowns and just one interception. Facing a Virginia defense that’s allowed 240.5 passing yards per game is also another positive, but when considering Castellanos has rushed for 280 yards and three scores as well, he could be prime for a massive day statistically.

When looking at college football odds for this game, seeing Boston College as just a field goal favorite at home stands out in a big way.

College Football Pick: Boston College -3 (-115)

Notre Dame Bounces Back From Ohio State Loss

The heartbreaking loss from last week suffered by Notre Dame at the hands of Ohio State on a last-second touchdown could be tough to rally back from. But the Irish season is far from over. They have two of the best weapons in the ACC in quarterback Sam Hartman and running back Audric Estime, and now get a chance to go on the road and take out the anger from last week’s loss on an undefeated Duke Blue Devils team.

While Duke’s defense has been great this year, allowing more than seven points just once (14 to Northwestern) this is a different caliber of matchup and a different level of offense. Hartman has thrown 14 touchdowns this year while Estime has 591 rushing yards and five scores, setting up a brutal one-two punch for the Blue Devils against the best offense they’ve faced this season.

Notre Dame on the road laying less than a touchdown looks almost too good to be true, even when Duke is certainly a good team this season. But I think it’s going to be tough sledding trying to slow down Estime and Hartman in this matchup, setting it up to potentially be one of the best college football picks of the weekend.

College Football Pick: Notre Dame -6

Clemson Teaser Looks to Provide Plenty of Value

Clemson was dealt a brutal blow last week, losing at home to Florida State 31-24 in overtime in a game they realistically had chances to win and revive their entire year. Now, they travel to take on a 4-0 Syracuse team who, admittedly, hasn’t faced a team with as much upside as Clemson has. I just can’t see the Tigers losing two straight, and although Syracuse has been solid, this is going to be the first time all year they’ve faced a test against an opponent this talented.

Clemson RB Will Shipley has scored just one touchdown on the ground this season, but I think that changes, even against a Syracuse team allowing only 89 yards per game. Statistically, both defenses have been strong this season, but Tigers quarterback Cade Klubnik seems to have come into his own after struggling in Week 1 against Duke.

If Klubnik can play how he did over the past three games, totaling eight touchdowns and just one interception while completing north of 65.8% of his passes in two of the three, Clemson will get the win by a touchdown or more.

But to play it safe here, I’m actually going to tease the Tigers down to a pick and then bump the projected total from 52.5 down to 46 and take the over.

College Football Pick: 6.5-point teaser with Clemson PK and over 46½