Shanker: It's not as if this team has not dealt with media circuses before, and this week was no different with the news that police are investigating running back Karlos Williams for domestic assault. Whether Williams plays, the constant for FSU the past two years is Jameis Winston, and he will be on the field Thursday. While the Cardinals' defense ranks as No. 1 nationally, no defense has been able to stop Winston yet. History suggests the Cards will need to score in the 30s, and their offense has struggled to score at times this season. Florida State 30, Louisville 24

Fortuna: This is not a very favorable matchup for FSU, and it cannot come at a worse time: Thursday, the night before Halloween, the site of a major upset 12 years ago. Louisville's defense is relentless, especially against the run, and the Seminoles' already struggling ground game probably won't be turning a corner in this one, as Mario Pender (ankle) is out again and Williams has been engulfed in controversy all week. Who knows if Williams is as adept at blocking out off-the-field issues as Winston is, but it might not matter. The Cardinals finally have their weapons -- namely, DeVante Parker — back at full strength, and the offense might just look like what we all expected it to when Bobby Petrino took over. Can the underwhelming FSU defense step up? Getting pressure on Will Gardner will be key. Playing from behind is no way to live, though, and the Noles can overcome only so many slow starts (Clemson, NC State, Notre Dame) before paying a price. Louisville 23, FSU 17

Shanker: The Eagles run the ball very well and don't ask quarterback Tyler Murphy to do too much through the air. So that sounds like the same formula Miami used to beat Virginia Tech last week. Duke Johnson ran all over the Hokies, and Murphy and BC's stable of backs are capable of running for close to 300 yards combined. Defensively, the BC defense is stout, and it is hard to imagine the Virginia Tech offense finding much success. Boston College 17, Virginia Tech 14

Adelson: The Hokies played their worst game of the season last week against Miami and now have to face the best running quarterback in the country in Murphy, who is on his way to a 1,000-yard season. The matchup advantages seem to skew toward BC, but expect Virginia Tech to really place an emphasis on its run game. The Eagles have had trouble closing out games this season, so the Hokies will have a chance to survive in a slog. Virginia Tech 21, Boston College 20.

Hale: The simplest answer here is the Wolfpack have to win an ACC game eventually, right? Sure, we've been fooled into thinking the streak would come to an end before, but this seems like a must-win for the program. Dave Doeren has had a week off to prepare. Jacoby Brissett has had the bye week to get healthy. The defense gets back a handful of suspended players. Syracuse is coming off a tough, physical loss to Clemson and is playing with a true freshman at QB. Meanwhile, the fans in Raleigh are getting restless, and the goodwill engendered by NC State’s close loss to Florida State has all but evaporated. It’s time for a Wolfpack victory in conference play, and, really, it feels like now or never. NC State 21, Syracuse 14

Fortuna: A.J. Long finally looked like a freshman last week for Syracuse, getting sacked four times, but he was facing a nasty Clemson defense. He'll be better off for that test in the long run, including this week against an NC State team that averages less than two sacks per game. The Wolfpack have struggled against the run in ACC play, surrendering 217 rushing yards per outing, which give the Orange some opportunities to open up the offense and let Long breathe a bit. Brissett, meanwhile, has not looked like the same player in his three outings since the FSU game. A Syracuse defense that gave its offense a chance despite four turnovers should be strong enough to keep Brissett and the Pack offense from regaining its touch. Syracuse 24, NC State 13

Hale: Georgia Tech runs the football. Virginia is 10th in the nation in rushing defense (based on yards-per-carry). And if that strength-on-strength battle ends in something resembling a draw, the Hoos have a clear advantage nearly everywhere else. The Hoos can get after the quarterback, which should negate Georgia Tech’s big-play threat. Georgia Tech has struggled to affect the passing game, which should help Virginia’s inconsistent passing attack. The Yellow Jackets are allowing 5.4 yards per carry, meaning the Cavaliers should be able to run early and often. But perhaps most important, it’s an issue of motivation. Virginia needs this game desperately -- both for its bowl chances and for coach Mike London to keep his job. Virginia 30, Georgia Tech 27

Adelson: Though Virginia has been excellent against the run this season, the defense has been gashed for some big plays. It happened last week against North Carolina, and now the Hoos have to play a Georgia Tech offense that not only pounds the ball but has a nose for big gains. Georgia Tech has 48 offensive plays that have gone for 25 or more yards this season -- including 15 in the past two games. If Virginia cannot stop the big play or score off takeaways, the Jackets will win. Georgia Tech 30, Virginia 27.

Unanimous picks

Duke at Pitt: Both defenses are light years ahead of where they were since last season's meeting in Durham (a 58-55 Panthers win), but Pitt's offense needs to regroup in a hurry after its turnover-plagued performance against Georgia Tech. Facing a Blue Devils' offense that is coming off a bye is no easy task the week after defending the Yellow Jackets' attack, either. Duke 31, Pitt 27

North Carolina at Miami: There is something to be said for UNC's recent resurgence. Its defense has made several big plays lately, too. But Brad Kaaya has only grown as a passer, and Duke Johnson might be running as well as he ever has. The Hurricanes have just too much offensively for the Tar Heels to handle. Miami 40, UNC 35

Current Standings

Shanker: 51-12

Adelson: 50-13

Fortuna: 49-14

Hale: 48-15