Week 1 ACC Final Score Predictions

Beyond the Miami at Florida game , which has its own prediction and breakdown coming at noon, Aug. 31, here at AllHurricanes , it’s fun to provide score predictions for the rest of the ACC.

There are some important games to be played. The one between Clemson and Georgia inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta could give credence to Dabo Swinney and his Tigers that they are still among the nation's elite. It will be difficult against Kirby Smart and his Bulldogs, however. Clemson is #14 in the AP Poll while Georgia is #1.

North Carolina goes on the road to play Minnesota in an interesting matchup, and believe it or not, Florida State is in a must-win situation at home versus Boston College. Before the actual scores, it is time to mention two factors impacting college football scoring this season.

Going by last Saturday's Georgia Tech's 24-21 win over Florida State in which each team had seven possessions, the helmet communication slows a game down. Florida State ends that game with 291 yards of offense and Georgia Tech with 336. Coaches are adjusting; players are as well.

Per NCAA rules, coaches cut off from communicating with their quarterbacks at the 15-second mark of the play clock, and the same rules for a selected defensive player for the staff on the opposing sideline.

Perhaps there will be less no-huddle in college football this season. Then again, that’s only one game. A person could also believe the trend relinquishes after coaches and players are more comfortable with the new communication. It's hard to say how long that might take if it is even going to happen. Another reminder is needed.

During the start of any season, the positions that often play the poorest are offensive line and quarterback. They are as much about chemistry with teammates as talent. Therefore, in any given college football game finishing as an offensive disappointment, there’s a good chance one or both of those positions struggled. It’s the nature of college football.

The combination of the above statements is also why many of the following predicted final scores are a bit lower than people might expect. Let’s see how it all shakes out.

For more about the ACC's best teams, here are the ACC Week 1 Power 6 Rankings. Click HERE TO VIEW THEM .

ACC Predictions

Thursday, Aug. 29

NC ST 38 Western Carolina 9

Wake Forest 31 NC A&T 14

North Carolina 20 Minnesota 17

Friday, Aug. 30

Duke 38 Elon 10

TCU 17 Stanford 16

Saturday, Aug. 31

Georgia 27 Clemson 17

Virginia Tech 41 Vanderbilt 13

Louisville 31 Austin Peay 10

Pittsburgh 31 Kent 6

Syracuse 27 Ohio 10

California 34 UC-Davis 13

Virginia 27 Richmond 20

Georgia Tech 34 Georgia State 10

SMU 38 Houston Christian 10

Monday, Sep. 2

FSU 26 Boston College 24