Florida State has staked an early claim as the team to beat in the ACC, and that leaves Clemson and the rest playing catch-up as the college football betting slate heads into Week 5.

Picks Summary

• Clemson-Syracuse Under 52½ (-110) at Caesars Sportsbook 
• Boston College -3 (-110) at Bet365
• Notre Dame -4½ (-112) at BetRivers

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Clemson Tigers vs. Syracuse Orange

Saturday, September 30, 2023 – 12:00 PM EDT at JMA Wireless Dome

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You have to go back a quarter century to 1998 to find the last time Clemson started a season 0-3 in ACC play, and the Tigers look to keep it that way when they head north to Syracuse to face the Orange in one of the early kickoffs on the Week 5 fixture.

Tigers Have Won Last 5 Meetings

Dabo Swinney’s squad is showing up -6½ or -7 at the top sportsbooks for the 12th meeting on the gridiron between the two schools. Scoreboard bettors are looking at 52-52½ for their decisions.

Clemson has dominated Syracuse with a 9-1 record as ACC opponents, their only other meeting taking place in the 1996 Gator Bowl where the Orange routed the Tigers, 41-0. The last five matchups went to Clemson, though Syracuse covered four of those.

It was still called the Carrier Dome in 2021 when the teams last played at Syracuse, and it was a fantastic contest for those who love defense as Clemson held on for a 17-14 dubya. That one easily stayed ‘under’ the total, one of six low-side winners in the last seven encounters.

Expect a Defensive Struggle and ‘Under’ Winner

Clemson fell to Florida State 31-24 in overtime this past Saturday, twice seeing the favored Seminoles overcome 10-point deficits in the thriller. Syracuse, meanwhile, couldn’t get its offense in gear early before coming back to push a 13-point line in a 29-16 win over Army.

These are two of the best defenses in the ACC, especially against the run where the Tigers rank 12th nationally and the Orange rank 22nd. Clemson definitely brings a different gear on offense than what Syracuse saw last week against Army, but the ‘under’ is still the smart play.

NCAAF Pick: Under 52½ (-110) at Caesars Sportsbook (check our Caesars Sportsbook Review)

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Virginia Cavaliers vs. Boston College Eagles

Saturday, September 30, 2023 – 02:00 PM EDT at Alumni Stadium

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While Clemson is a disappointing 2-2 early in the chase, the Tigers still have time to recover and become a force to be reckoned with. The same can’t be said for Virginia and Boston College as they prepare to meet in Chestnut Hill. Just where is the betting value in this clash of squads that won’t be going bowling?

First Meeting in 3 Years

 If the numbers showing up on college football odds boards are correct, the contest should at least be close between a pair of cellar dwellers in the ACC. Boston College backers will need to give up a field goal and the total offers some options in the 55-57 range.

Thanks to the old division alignment in the ACC, this is one of the least-played rivalries in the conference. This is just the sixth collision since Boston College joined the ACC in 2005, and the Cavaliers won the most recent clash in Charlottesville in 2020 by a 43-32 count as TD favorites.

Eagles to Eke Out Win & Cover

There just isn’t anything to like about the Cavaliers, who could be without 1st-string QB Tony Muskett (shoulder) once again. Even if Muskett can take the field for the first time since Week 1, Boston College should be able to generate enough at home to cash a 3-point line.

NCAAF Pick: Boston College -3 (-110) at Bet365 (check our Bet365 Review)

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Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Duke Blue Devils

Saturday, September 30, 2023 – 07:30 PM EDT at Wallace Wade Stadium

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Watching their 4-0 start to the campaign end last week with a heartbreaking loss to Ohio State in the shadows of Touchdown Jesus, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish now set their sights on ending Duke’s 4-0 start when they visit the Blue Devils in Week 5.

Last 2 Meetings Cash ‘Under’ Tickets

Notre Dame opened -6½ at some shops, but that spread has been adjusted down to 4½-5½ in early trading. The total can be found as low as 50 and as high as 51½.

Though technically not a conference affair, it remains a huge contest for both the Fighting Irish and Blue Devils. Notre Dame won the last two meetings in 2019 and 2020, with the teams splitting covers in those tilts while both stayed ‘under’ the totals.

Irish Bounce Back to End Devils’ Unbeaten Start

Coming off a loss like the one Notre Dame just suffered on the final play of the game can often have a lingering effect. That won’t happen this time, however, as the Fighting Irish earn the nod for our final free NCAAF pick for Week 5.

NCAAF Pick: Notre Dame -4½ (-112) at BetRivers (check our BetRivers Review)

*The line and/or odds referenced in this article might have changed since the content was published. For the latest information on line movements, visit OddsTrader’s free betting odds tool.