As the calendar turns to November, so does the sense of urgency for several ACC squads. Week 10 offers an outstanding slate of games, and many teams will be going for that elusive sixth win, meaning bowl-eligibility. Here’s what to expect from each ACC matchup this weekend:
NC State (+7.5) at Wake Forest, Saturday, 12:00pm
The Demon Deacons are 0-7 under Dave Clawson coming off of bye weeks. They’ll look to change that as they welcome a struggling NC State team on Saturday. The Wolfpack are switching quarterbacks as they’ll turn to freshman Devin Leary. While their offense has been poor all season, the same can’t be said for Wake Forest, who:
- Rank fifth in the country in total yards
- Rank seventh in the country in passing offense
- WR Sage Surratt ranks fifth nationally in receiving yards
Boston College (+3) at Syracuse, Saturday, 12:00pm
The Orange are the only ACC team without a conference win and are contending with Georgia Tech as the league’s worst team. They’ll look to get on the board this weekend when they host AJ Dillon and the Eagles’ high-powered rushing attack, which ranks 10th nationally. Dillon’s 1,044 rushing yards through eight games ranks fifth among FBS running backs. The Cuse could really use this one at home, as this is how they close out their season:
- at Duke (11/16)
- at Louisville (11/23)
- vs Wake Forest (11/30)
A 3-9 season, after going 10-3 in 2018, is very possible for Dino Babers and the Syracuse Orange.
Virginia Tech (+17.5) at Notre Dame, Saturday, 2:30pm
Brian Kelly and the Irish are coming off a very sour, and very wet, blowout loss to Jim Harbaugh and Michigan. Quarterback Ian Book had a miserable night in Ann Arbor, throwing for just 73 yards and a touchdown on 8/25 passing. The entire Notre Dame offense generated just 180 total yards, as rain and wind played a big role in the struggles. The Hokies are coming off of a bye week after an emotional six overtime win over the Tar Heels in Week 8. Quarterback Hendon Hooker is expected to play after leaving the first half of the UNC game, where Justin Fuente used second and third stringers Quincy Patterson and Ryan Willis.
Miami (+3) at Florida State, Saturday, 3:30pm
Throw the records out the window whenever these two rivals square off. Miami is a mystery in their own right as it is, but especially when they face the Seminoles. Here’s how close this matchup has been over the past five seasons:
- 2014: 30-26 FSU
- 2015: 29-24 FSU
- 2016: 20-19 FSU
- 2017: 24-20 Miami
- 2018: 28-27 Miami
Both teams are coming off of wins over former Big East foes in Pittsburgh and Syracuse, with Miami’s win coming on the road. Manny Diaz is choosing to go back to Jarren Williams at quarterback, after briefly starting N’Kosi Perry for a few games. Florida State’s Cam Akers is 10th nationally and second in the ACC in rushing, and is capable of eclipsing 200 yards anytime he steps foot on the field. Miami will look to make it three in a row over the Seminoles, and lead the all-time series 33-30.
Wofford at Clemson, Saturday, 4:00pm
The Tigers have four games left on their schedule until they enter the ACC Championship Game 12-0. This is one that should be over after the initial kickoff. After a close call to the Tar Heels a few weeks ago, Clemson has since won:
- 45-14 vs Florida State
- 45-10 at Louisville
- 59-7 vs Boston College
Trevor Lawrence hasn’t been nearly as sharp as a season ago, but he doesn’t need to be when he’s got one of the best defenses in the country and a running back/receiving corps that’ll be playing on Sundays. There isn’t a spread or line available for this game but I’d imagine it’d be somewhere around (-50.5) Clemson.
Pittsburgh (-7.5) at Georgia Tech, Saturday, 4:00pm
The Yellow Jackets have been improving each week under newly appointed head coach Geoff Collins. After an improbable road win over Miami, and a week off to rest, Georgia Tech should be feeling confident heading into this matchup. Not to mention, the Panthers are coming off a loss to the very team GT just beat. In that game, running back Jordan Mason put up 141 yards and one touchdown on 20 carries in the victory. However, Pittsburgh boasts the sixth-best run defense in the nation. The Panthers are looking for their sixth win for the 11th time in 12 years.
Virginia (+2) at North Carolina, Saturday, 7:30pm
Just a few weeks ago, the Cavaliers were sitting at 4-0 and ranked as high as 18th in the country. Since then, they’ve come back down to earth with disappointing road losses to Miami and Louisville. They’ll look to find a solution to their road woes as they visit North Carolina in primetime on Saturday night.
The Tar Heels are coming off a miraculous victory over Duke thanks to a questionable call from David Cutcliffe at the goal-line. Quarterback Sam Howell leads the ACC in passing with over 2,100 yards through just eight games. Bryce Perkins was nicked up against the Cards last week, as the Cavalier’s issues at O-Line continue. The winner of this grabs firm control of the ACC Coastal.