A big matchup in the ACC Atlantic is set for Saturday
There were plenty of teams this past Saturday that were given a well deserved rest week. Now we get to turn our attention to the second half of the season and see who exactly will be challengers in a crowded ACC.
#1 Clemson (7-0, 5-0)
The Clemson Tigers were able to hold off a late rally against Florida State to keep their undefeated season alive. This extended the streak to seven straight years defeating Florida State. Climbing to No. 4 in the national polls, the Tigers are in the driver’s seat to represent the ACC in the College Football Playoff.
#2 Wake Forest (5-1, 1-1)
Wake Forest was one of many teams with the week off. Even with not playing anyone, Wake Forest was able to climb one spot to move into No. 13 nationally due to Penn State losing against Michigan.
#3 Syracuse (6-0, 3-0)
In the lone matchup between ranked teams in the ACC, it was the Syracuse Orange who came up with the convincing 24-9 victory. This will set up the biggest matchup in the ACC this week as now Syracuse will travel to Clemson in a battle of unbeaten teams, with control of the Atlantic division on the line.
#4 North Carolina (6-1, 3-0)
In one of the more exciting games of the weekend, The North Carolina Tar Heels were able to beat rival Duke in the final seconds of the game. Drake Maye threw the game-winning touchdown pass to a toe-tapping Antoine Green with only 16 seconds left in the game. The win keeps the Tar Heels in the driver’s seat to represent the Coastal.
#5 North Carolina State (5-2, 1-2)
The injury to Devin Leary looks like it is going to end up derailing the Wolfpack. Jack Chambers was unable to put any points on the board in the loss to Syracuse and with games against Wake Forest and UNC still to go, North Carolina State may be in some trouble.
#6 Florida State(4-3, 2-3)
Florida State ended up making a game of it, but the Seminoles were unable to complete the upset comeback over Clemson. That extends the losing streak to 3 games, albeit against three ranked opponents.
#7 Georgia Tech (3-3, 2-1)
Georgia Tech was another one of the many ACC teams with the week off. That extra will be helpful since the Yellow Jackets will play on Thursday to see if they can go 3-0 under their new head coach.
#8 Pitt (4-2, 1-1)
the Pittsburgh Panthers also had the week off. Head coach Pat Narduzzi stated that it was a good week for self-reflection and all eyes will be on how Pitt’s passing attack comes out with the extra week to prepare.
#9 Duke (4-3, 1-2)
The Duke Blue Devils were unable to pull off the upset on North Carolina but the effort they put in keeps them here at number nine instead of dropping them.
#10 Miami (3-3, 1-1)
The Miami Hurricanes were finally able to end the losing streak behind Tyler Van Dyke’s two touchdowns. They almost let the Hokies back into it after building up a 20-0 lead heading into the fourth quarter, but the Hurricanes will take whatever win they can get.
#11 Boston College (2-3, 1-2)
Boston College had the week off after getting pounced on by the Clemson Tigers. Things unfortunately won’t be much easier with Wake Forest up next for the Eagles on Saturday.
#12 Louisville (3-3, 1-3)
The Cardinals move up one with the week off. The Cardinals also got a bit more good news as starting quarterback Malik Cunningham will be back for their matchup against Pitt.
#13 Virginia Tech (2-5, 1-3)
Virginia Tech dropped their fourth game in a row with the loss to Miami. Herndon Hooker isn’t walking back through the door anytime soon so the Hokies will take the extra week to try to figure out what they can do to try to salvage the season.
#14 Virgina (2-4, 0-3)
Virginia had the week off but is still unfortunately the only team without a win in ACC play. It might be time to start watching highlight tapes from the incoming class at this point.