Six matchups and six bye week teams!
The ACC is back to being fairly wide open after losses by the Miami Hurricanes and Pittsburgh Panthers last Saturday. The Canes are on a bye this weekend. Hopefully they can move closer to a spot in the ACC Championship game without having to step on the field!
Let’s do some rooting.
Matchup of the Week
Photo by Michael Longo/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
#20 Clemson @ Pittsburgh – 11/16 at 12:00 PM EST, TV – ESPN
This could be a “loser leaves town” matchup. Neither team can afford another conference loss. Clemson is hanging on for dear life for a possible at-large CFP spot. I plan on watching this entire game as it should be a good one. With Clemson only having one conference loss, the choice here is easy. Let’s go Pitt.
Syracuse @ Cal – 11/16 at 3:00 PM EST, TV – CW
I could see this being a high-scoring matchup between two teams who have the potential to light up a scoreboard. The trip from Syracuse to Berkley can’t be much shorter than the same trip Miami made. I think Cal gets out to an early lead, but it becomes a close game in the fourth quarter. Let’s go Syracuse.
Virginia @ #8 Notre Dame – 11/16 at 3:30 PM EST, TV – NBC
One upset down, Virginia. Now, let’s keep it going against a Notre Dame team that just absolutely pummeled Florida State. I think the Fighting Irish can be had one more time this season. The Cavaliers are not going to be scared, being in they just went on the road to a tough environment at Pitt, and won. I have faith! Let’s go Virginia.
Boston College @ #14 SMU – 11/16 at 3:30 PM EST, TV – ESPN
If there were ever a time for an awesome upset win for BC and their new head coach Bill O’Brien, this is it. Yeah, they beat FSU in Tallahassee early this season, but the Seminoles are one of the worst teams in the country. That win’s luster has been lost. Go get a huge road victory over the ACC’s first place team. Let’s go Boston College.
#19 Louisville @ Stanford – 11/16 at 3:30 PM EST, TV – ACC Network
The Cardinals should beat up on Stanford even with the long trip from Kentucky to Palo Alto, CA. Also, Miami’s lone win over a ranked team this season was against Louisville last month. The Cardinals need to keep winning to make the Canes look as good as possible to the CFP committee. Let’s go Louisville.
Wake Forest @ UNC – 11/16 at 8:00 PM EST, TV – ACC Network
I don’t have any strong feelings towards this matchup. The Demon Deacons travel to Hard Rock Stadium the following Saturday to take on the Canes on Senior Day. Miami needs all the help they can get from their opponents. Let’s go Wake Forest.
See you next week!