We have a big slate this week. No more byes!
The ACC doesn’t seem to be getting the respect it deserves this college football season. The Miami Hurricanes were jumped in the latest CFP rankings by Alabama. Did Miami lose a game? No, they had a bye last week. Did Alabama beat a good SEC team? No, they beat Mercer, an FCS team. (Deep sigh). I’m not even going to bring up the consistent SMU disrespect. Okay, time to lighten the mood.
Let’s do some rooting.
NC State @ Georgia Tech – 11/21 at 7:30 PM EST, TV – ESPN
The Yellow Jackets better not have a letdown after their upset win over Miami. They are a better team than NC State. I just hope they don’t overlook the Wolfpack for their season finale game vs Georgia. GT better be ready for a fired up Bulldogs squad looking to win by 100 points. Let’s go Georgia Tech.
Matchup of the Week
Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images
#13 SMU @ Virginia – 11/23 at 12:00 PM EST, TV – ESPN2
After pulling off the upset at Pitt a couple weeks go, Virginia got smoked at Notre Dame. Tony Elliott’s squad has another chance for a massive win this Saturday against the Mustangs. That said, I think Rhett Lashlee will have his team ready to go, especially with how low they’ve been placed in the CFP rankings so far. As much as I’d like to see a Miami SMU matchup in the ACC Championship game, I have to do what’s best for my Canes. Let’s go Virginia.
UNC @ Boston College – 11/23 at 12:00 PM EST, TV – CW
BC put up a decent fight against SMU last Saturday. They kept it close, but just couldn’t score enough points to pull off the upset. UNC is playing light years better than they were in September. They have some nice momentum building for 2025. I find myself rooting for Bill O’Brien’s squad for some reason. Let’s go Boston College.
UConn @ Syracuse – 11/23 at 12:00 PM EST, TV – ACC Network
The Huskies are 7-3, winners of three in a row. The Orange are also 7-3, albeit against a tougher schedule. The most interesting aspect of this game is the fact that they’re former Big East rivals. That’s all I got. Let’s go Syracuse.
Charleston Southern @ FSU – 11/23 at 1:30 PM EST, TV – ACC Extra
How many Florida State fans are going to show up to Doak Campbell Stadium to watch this game? I can’t imagine it’ll be more than a few thousand. If I were a Seminoles fan, I’d want to go since it might be the last chance to see an FSU football win for many months. Hey-o! Let’s go Charleston Southern.
The Citadel @ #17 Clemson – 11/23 at 3:30 PM EST, TV – CW
Clemson and FSU really are trying to be SEC teams with how they schedule a cupcake late in the season. Unfortunately for the Tigers, a dominant win over The Citadel is not going to move the needle for them as far as the CFP rankings. After all, only a team like Alabama should be rewarded by beating an FCS team. Disgraceful. Let’s go Citadel.
Stanford @ Cal – 11/23 at 3:30 PM EST, TV – ACC Network
The Big Game is now a part of the ACC. Makes perfect sense. The Cardinal are riding high after their last-second home win over Louisville. The Golden Bears are overrated and can’t win a close game. Still, they are double-digit favorites for some reason. I think Stanford covers and hopefully wins. Let’s go Stanford.
Virginia Tech @ Duke – 11/23 at 8:00 PM EST, TV – ACC Network
It’s an underachiever vs overachiever matchup. The Hokies are not having the season they thought they would. The Blue Devils are having as good of a season as they could ask for in Manny Diaz’s first year. Duke gets another primetime ACC Network matchup on their schedule. Good for them. Let’s go Duke.
See you next week!