Five non-Miami ACC matchups, plus a Notre Dame sighting.
The ACC is much less wide open than it was a week ago, with both Pitt and Clemson going down. The Miami Hurricanes and SMU Mustangs control their own destines. The Panthers and Tigers are lurking behind, though they play each other in a couple weeks in what might be an elimination game of sorts. There is a lot of season left!
Let’s do some rooting.
Cal @ Wake Forest – 11/8 at 8:00 PM EST, TV – ACC Network
Both teams are coming off of a bye week. Both teams could really use a conference win, albeit for different reasons. Wake Forest is trying to win their third game in a row and get above .500 in ACC play and overall. Cal is the only ACC team without a conference win. Miami plays the Demon Deacons in a couple weeks at Hard Rock. That’s all I need. Let’s go Wake Forest.
Syracuse @ Boston College – 11/9 at 12:00 PM EST, TV – CW
The Orange must feel pumped to have pulled out that overtime win against the Hokies last Saturday. BC is coming off a bye and needs a win to improve their chances to get bowl eligible. I do seem to root for Boston College this season for some reason, not sure why. Miami ends their season at Syracuse.. Same logic as the Wake game. Let’s go Syracuse.
Matchup of the Week
Photo by Michael Shroyer/Getty Images
#19 Clemson @ Virginia Tech – 11/9 at 3:30 PM EST, TV – ESPN
This isn’t the best “game of the week”, but I would be surprised if it wasn’t close in the fourth quarter. Besides running back Phil Mafah, Clemson looked and played slow against Louisville. The Tigers can’t afford to do that two games in a row, this time on the road. Having said all that, I think this game comes down to Hokies QB Kyron Drones. If he plays, they win. If he doesn’t, they lose. Let’s go Virginia Tech.
Duke @ NC State – 11/9 at 3:30 PM EST, TV – ACC Network
I’ll be interested to see how the Blue Devils respond after two tough losses in a row to SMU and Miami. I think they’ll come to play and take care of the Wolfpack. NC State is playing better, but their two conference wins came against Stanford and Cal. Not great. I like some of the players on Duke and I have nothing against coach Manny Diaz. Let’s go Duke.
FSU @ #10 Notre Dame – 11/9 at 7:30 PM EST, TV – NBC
I plan on switching back-and-forth between this game and Alabama vs LSU on Saturday night in my hotel room in Atlanta for the Miami vs Georgia Tech game. I’m interested to see how bad the Seminoles look on the road against a seemingly really good team that isn’t Miami. Asking me to pick between these two teams is about as bad as it gets for a Canes fan. That said, let the year from hell continue! Let’s go Notre Dame.
Virginia @ #23 Pittsburgh – 11/9 at 8:00 PM EST, TV – ACC Network
Pitt is another ACC team with a chance to bounce back after a big loss. Virginia is coming off a bye, but have lost three conference games in a row. Tony Elliott better scheme it up and get an early lead or at least keep it close going into halftime. If Pitt forces an early turnover or two, this game could get ugly quick. Let’s go Virginia.
See you next week!