WEEK 8 GAME SCHEDULE
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17
TIME, TV
SIRIUSXM APP/WEB
Boston College at Virginia Tech
7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
106, 193, or 371 371 or 955
Series: Virginia Tech leads series, 21-11;
Last meeting: Virginia Tech, 48-22 (2023)
ESPN: Matt Barrie (play-by-play), Dan Mullen (analyst), Harry Lyles Jr. (sideline)
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18
TIME, TV
SIRIUSXM APP/WEB
Florida State at Duke
7 p.m. ET, ESPN2
106, 193, or 371 371 or 955
Series: Florida State leads series, 22-0;
Last meeting: Florida State, 38-20 (2023)
ESPN2: Mike Monaco (play-by-play), Kirk Morrison (analyst), Dawn Davenport (sideline)
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19
TIME, TV
SIRIUSXM APP/WEB
#6 Miami at Louisville
Noon ET, ABC
158, 194, or 381 956 or 971
Series: Miami leads series, 11-4-1;
Last meeting: Louisville, 38-31 (2023)
ABC: Joe Tessitore (play-by-play), Jordan Rodgers (analyst), Stormy Buonantony (sideline)
Virginia at #10 Clemson
Noon ET,
ACCN
138, 193, or 371 371 or 955
Series: Clemson leads series, 40-8-1;
Last meeting: Clemson, 41-23 (2020)
ACCN: Chris Cotter (play-by-play), Mark Herzlich (analyst), Coley Harvey (sideline)
Wake Forest at UConn
Noon ET, CBS Sports Network
382 or 383 972 or 973
Series: Wake Forest leads series, 2-1;
Last meeting: Wake Forest, 24-10 (2007 Meineke Car Care Bowl)
CBS Sports Network: Rich Waltz (play-by-play), Ross Tucker (analyst), Tiffany Blackmon (sideline)
NC State at California
3:30 p.m. ET, ACCN
138, 193, or 371 371 or 955
Series: First Meeting;
Last meeting: N/A
ACCN: Jorge Sedano (play-by-play), Orlando Franklin (analyst), Morgan Uber (sideline)
#12 Notre Dame at Georgia Tech
3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
85 or 129 85 or 129
Series: Notre Dame leads series, 30-6-1;
Last meeting: Notre Dame, 55-0 (2021)
ESPN: Bob Wischusen (play-by-play), Louis Riddick (analyst), Kris Budden (sideline)
#21 SMU at Stanford
8 p.m. ET, ACCN
138, 193, or 371 371 or 955
Series: Stanford leads series, 1-0;
Last meeting: Stanford, 7-0 (1936 Rose Bowl)
ACCN: Wes Durham (play-by-play), Tom Luginbill (analyst), Dana Boyle (sideline)
THURSDAY NIGHT PRIMETIME CONTEST
• The Boston College and Virginia Tech matchup on Thursday, October 17, is the first ESPN College Football Thursday Primetime contest for the ACC this season. • The Thursday night kickoff on ESPN will be the first of three ESPN College Football Thursday Night Primetime games this season for the ACC, as Syracuse will travel to Pitt (Thursday, October 24) and Georgia Tech will host NC State (Thursday, November 21) on ESPN. • The contest set for this Thursday night is the fourth of the season for schools in the ACC, but the first on ESPN. Wake Forest defeated NC A&T, NC State downed Western Carolina and North Carolina beat Minnesota on Thursday, August 29, in Week 1, but none of those games were on ESPN College Football Thursday Primetime. • The Hokies are celebrating their 30th anniversary of playing Thursday night football when Boston College comes to town. Tech’s first game was on September 22, 1994, against West Virginia, with a commanding 34-6 victory in its inaugural appearance. The contest will mark the seventh time the two programs will face off on Thursday, tying the total against Georgia Tech. n Virginia Tech and Boston College have split the six previous matchups on Thursday nights, with each team winning three times.
ACC in Thursday Night Games in 2024
Date Matchup NETWORK / RESULT
8/29/24 Western Carolina at #24 NC State NCSU, 38-21
8/29/24 NC A&T at Wake Forest WF, 45-13
8/29/24 North Carolina at Minnesota UNC, 19-17
10/17/24 Boston College at Virginia Tech * ESPN
10/24/24 Syracuse at Pitt * ESPN
11/21/24 NC State at Georgia Tech *
ESPN FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS
• The ACC will return to “Friday Night Lights” this week after a hiatus in Week 7, as Duke will host Florida State at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2. • The Friday night contest this week will mark the third ACC matchup on Friday over the last five weeks and the third of five conference meetings for the ACC on Friday nights this season. • The matchup between Florida State and Duke will also be the seventh out of 12 Friday night games involving an ACC team this season.
ACC in Friday Night Games in 2024
Date Matchup NETWORK / RESULT
8/30/24 Elon at Duke DU, 26-3
8/30/24 TCU at Stanford TCU, 34-27
9/6/24 BYU at SMU BYU, 18-15
9/6/24 Duke at Northwestern DU, 26-20 (2OT)
9/20/24 Stanford at Syracuse * STAN, 26-24
9/27/24 Virginia Tech at #7 Miami * UM, 38-34
10/4/24 Syracuse at #25 UNLV SU, 44-41
10/18/24 Florida State at Duke * ESPN2
10/25/24 Louisville at Boston College * ESPN2
11/8/24 California at Wake Forest * ACCN
11/29/24 Stanford at San Jose State CBS
11/29/24 Georgia Tech at Georgia ABC
ACC IN NON-CONFERENCE PLAY
• Through Week 7 of the 2024 college football season, the ACC is 41-14 overall in non-conference play. The 41 non-conference wins are tied for the second-most among all FBS conferences. • Overall, the ACC has eight non-conference wins versus fellow Power 4 conference foes. • The ACC has recorded five non-conference wins over the other Power 4 conferences on the road.
Non-Conference Power 4 Wins On the Road
Date Matchup Result
8/29/24 North Carolina at Minnesota W, 19-17
8/31/24 #19 Miami at Florida W, 41-17
9/6/24 Duke at Northwestern W, 26-20 (2OT)
9/7/24 Pitt at Cincinnati W, 28-27
9/7/24 California at Auburn W, 21-14
• Week 8 includes two non-conference games, as Georgia Tech hosts No. 12 Notre Dame at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN and Wake Forest travels to UConn on Saturday for a noon ET kick on CBS Sports Network. • Last year in 2023, the ACC went 44-23 in nonconference play after posting a record of 42-22 in nonconference action in 2022.
THREE DAYS OF CONFERENCE PLAY IN WEEK 8
• Week 8 of the season will see six ACC games played across three consecutive days – Thursday, Friday and Saturday – with games on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 and ACCN. • Three of the ACC’s four top 25 ranked teams this week will be in action on Saturday, October 19, with No. 6 Miami at Louisville (noon ET, ABC), No. 10 Virginia hosting Virginia (noon ET, ACCN) and No. 21 SMU playing at Stanford (8 p.m. ET, ACCN).
ACC Conference Games in Week 8
Date Matchup TIME / NETWORK
10/17/24 Boston College at Virginia Tech 7:30 p.m. ET / ESPN
10/18/24 Florida State at Duke 7 p.m. ET / ESPN2
10/19/24 #6 Miami at Louisville noon ET / ABC
10/19/24 Virginia at #10 Clemson noon ET / ACCN 1
0/19/24 NC State at Cal 3:30 p.m. ET / ACCN
10/19/24 #21 SMU at Stanford 8 p.m. ET / ACCN
• The ACC was the only conference to have played conference games in each of the first three weeks (Week 0, Week 1 and Week 2) of the season to start the year.
LOOKING FOR THAT FIRST WIN IN THE SERIES
• Week 8 features three conference matchups where one of the two teams is searching for their first win in the all-time series. • Duke is looking for its first-ever win over Florida State, as the Seminoles are 22-0 versus the Blue Devils with the first meeting coming back in 1992. FSU’s 22-game winning streak over Duke is the second-longest winning streak in conference matchups in ACC history.
All-Time ACC Series Winning Streaks
Games 29 Clemson vs. Virginia 1955-98
22 Florida State vs. Duke 1992-present
17 Virginia Tech vs. Wake Forest * 1984-2000
17 North Carolina vs. Wake Forest * 1893-1923
16 Maryland vs. Virginia 1972-87
16 Clemson vs. Wake Forest 2009-present *
All or part of the streak happened with one or both teams not a member of the ACC. • NC State and California will be meeting for the very first time on Saturday, October 19, at 3:30 p.m. ET in Berekely, California, with both teams looking for that first win in the conference series. • Like NC State and Cal, SMU and Stanford are meeting for the first time as conference foes on Saturday in California. However, Stanford and SMU have met once before, as the Cardinal defeated the Mustangs 7-0 in the 1936 Rose Bowl. SMU, who trails Stanford 1-0 in the series, will be looking to pick up its first win over the Cardinal in the series.
AROUND THE ACC
Boston College: Through six games, five of which he has played in, quarterback Thomas Castellanos has four multi-touchdown games, including a career-high four versus Duquesne (September 7). Castellanos was responsible for three touchdowns at Florida State (September 2) and rushed for 73 yards to pass Tyler Murphy for the most career rushing yards by a BC quarterback with 1,186 yards (at the time). Castellanos has thrown 12 touchdown passes and rushed for one this season, after throwing for 15 touchdowns and rushing for 13 scores on the ground last year.
California: The Golden Bears’ defense continues to find ways to record takeaways from their opponents, as the defense ranks seventh nationally with 14 takeaways. Cal has recorded at least one takeaway in 41 of its last 44 games and eight in a row. With two interceptions last week at Pitt, Cal’s defense leads the nation with 13 INTs on the season, one of three teams with 13 picks, and extended its string of games with at least one interception to eight in a row, spanning all six games of 2024 and the final two contests of 2023. Defensive back Nohl Williams leads the country with six interceptions this season and has 13 for his career.
Clemson: The Tigers’ Cade Klubnik has shined this season, particularly in ACC play over the last four weeks. Klubnik ranks first in conference play in total touchdowns with 14, first in passing touchdowns with 12, second in total offensive yards with 1,218, third in passing yards at 1,008, third in passing efficiency at 157.58 and fifth in total offensive yards per game at 304.5, all while leading his team to a 4-0 start in ACC action.
Duke: Coming off an open week last week, the Blue Devils have a home contest on Friday night against Florida State, which leads the series 22-0 overall. With their 3-0 home start to 2024, the Blue Devils are 11-1 in their last 12 home games dating back to the 2022 season. Duke’s only loss during the stretch was a 21-14 setback to No. 11 Notre Dame last year on September 30, 2023. Thus far this season, Duke joins Boston College (3-0), Clemson (3-0), Georgia Tech (3-0), Miami (3-0) and Pitt (4-0) as ACC teams undefeated at home.
Florida State: The Seminoles are tied for first in the nation with four blocked kicks this season, all field goals. Florida State is one of two teams in the country to block at least one kick in three games against FBS opponents, and its three-game streak with at least one blocked kick is the longest nationally this year. FSU’s 13 blocked kicks under Mike Norvell are tied for eighth nationally and tied for third among all Power 4 programs since the start of the 2020 season.
Georgia Tech: The Yellow Jackets rushing attack was on full display last week versus North Carolina (October 12). Georgia Tech’s 371 rushing yards were a season-high and were its most since it ran for 377 versus Duke on November 28, 2020. The Jackets had two 100-yard rushers (RB Jamal Haynes – 170 and QB Haynes King – 107) for the first time since quarterback Jeff Sims and current San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan Mason had 108 and 105, respectively, versus Duke in 2020.
Louisville: ACC Rookie of the Week Isaac Brown led all rushers with 20 carries for 146 yards and two touchdowns last week in the Cardinals’ road win at Virginia. Brown has 508 yards rushing this season, the third-highest total by a true freshman in program history. He is the second true freshman in Louisville history to have three 100-yard rushing games, joining Lamar Jackson who had five 100- yard rushing games as a quarterback in 2015.
Miami: Behind an offensive line that was named to the Joe Moore Midseason Honor Roll, Miami’s offense ranks first in all of FBS in scoring offense (47.7 ppg), total offense (583.8 ypg), passing offense (400.0 ypg) and third-down conversion percentage (60.3 %). The Canes’ offense is led by Heisman candidate Cam Ward who ranks first in all of FBS in passing touchdowns (20), passing yards per game (369.8), points responsible for (142) and total offense (396.7 ypg).
North Carolina: The Tar Heels’ Omarion Hampton had another 100-yard rushing game last time out versus Georgia Tech (October 12), giving him his sixth 100-yard rushing game of the season. UNC has had a player rush for at least 100 yards in each of the first seven games of the season for the first time since 1983, the only other time that has happened in UNC football history. The Tar Heels are the only FBS program with a 100-yard rusher in each of its first seven games this year.
North Carolina State: With the offense clearly in his hands, true freshman quarterback CJ Bailey became the first true freshman since Phillip Rivers to throw for 300 or more yards in a game when he threw for 329 yards last week against Syracuse. Last week, Bailey had three completions of 40-plus yards, including two of 70 or more yards. The freshman hit KC Concepcion for 42 yards, connected with Noah Rogers for a 75-yard touchdown and had a 72-yard completion to Hollywood Smothers.
Pittsburgh: The 6-0 Panthers have been led this season by their offense and transfer quarterback Eli Holstein. However, the Pitt defense flexed its muscles in the 17-15 win over Cal last time out (October 12), as the Panthers had a season-high six sacks versus the Golden Bears. Pitt’s defense produced six sacks for the first time since November 16, 2023, against Boston College. Under head coach Pat Narduzzi, Pitt has recorded at least five sacks in a game 30 times and is 28-2 in those contests.
SMU: The Mustangs will look to continue its strong first season in the ACC with their first-ever conference game versus fellow new ACC member Stanford on Saturday night. Third-year head coach Rhett Lashlee has his team at 5-1 on the season and 2-0 in league play. With its two ACC wins thus far this season, SMU has won 11 straight conference games dating back to 2022 which is tied for the program record. The Mustangs are 23-10 under Coach Lashlee, 14-2 in their last 16 games and have won seven straight road games heading into the conference road contest this weekend.
Stanford: The Cardinal will host SMU in what is the first-ever ACC matchup this Saturday in Stanford, California. The youth movement, which saw 20 players make their collegiate debuts last season in 2023, continues under second-year head coach Troy Taylor in 2024, as eight players have recorded their first career touchdown this season. So far in 2024, 1,012 snaps have been taken by Stanford freshmen, with 15 true freshmen having made their collegiate debuts this season.
Syracuse: In the win last time out at NC State (October 12), transfer quarterback Kyle McCord threw for 300-plus yards in his sixth-straight game, a program record, and added two touchdown passes to increase his season total to 19. The 19 touchdown tosses is tied for sixth on the Syracuse single-season record list and is tied for 12th on the career leader ledger in program history.
Virginia: Wide receiver Malachi Fields finished with nine catches for 129 receiving yards against Louisville last week (October 12) to record his third 100-yard receiving game of the season and third of his career. Fields surpassed 1,500 receiving yards for his career and has caught a pass in 21 consecutive games, proving to be quarterback Anthony Colandrea’s go-to receiver.
Virginia Tech: Including his two years at North Carolina A&T, Bhayshul Tuten has eclipsed 3,000 yards rushing with 3,046. The do-it-all running back has scored at least one touchdown in eight straight games dating back to the 2023 season, following his second-quarter touchdown scamper last time out at Stanford (October 5). The senior has registered 707 all-purpose yards while scoring 10 touchdowns through six games this season.
Wake Forest: The Demon Deacons will step out of ACC play to take on the UConn Huskies on Saturday. Wake Forest has the third-best record among all ACC programs in games against non-ACC teams over the past six years with a record of 18-7 (.720). The Deacons are 1-2 in nonconference again this year.
WEEK 8 PREVIEWS
Thursday, Oct. 17
Boston College (4-2, 1-1 ACC) at Virginia Tech (3-3, 1-1 ACC)
7:30 p.m ET; ESPN
VT leads series, 21-11
Last meeting: VT, 48-22 (2023)
Head Coaches:
Boston College: Bill O’Brien (4-2 in first season at BC; 19-11 in third season overall)
Virginia Tech: Brent Pry (13-17 in third season at VT; 13-17 in third season overall)
Notes:
• Virginia Tech leads the all-time series 21-11 and holds a two-game winning streak over Boston College. • Both teams are coming off of an open week and have not played since Saturday, October 5. • Boston College boasts the No. 1 scoring defense in the ACC, allowing just 17.2 points per game, which also ranks 20th nationally. • Boston College’s Donovan Ezeiruaku leads the conference and ranks second in the FBS, averaging 1.50 sacks per game. • Virginia Tech leads the ACC in red zone defense, holding its opponents to score on just 69.2 percent of red zone trips, ranking 11th in the country. • The Hokies’ Bhayshul Tuten leads the ACC in rushing touchdowns with nine, ranking 10th nationally. Tuten is second in the ACC with 605 rushing yards (100.8/game)
Friday, Oct. 18
Florida State (1-5, 1-4 ACC) at Duke (5-1, 1-1 ACC)
7 p.m. ET; ESPN2
FSU leads series, 22-0
Last meeting: FSU, 38-20 (2023)
Head Coaches:
Florida State: Mike Norvell (32-22 in fifth season at FSU; 70-37 in ninth season overall)
Duke: Manny Diaz (5-1 in first season at DU; 26-16 in fourth season overall)
Notes:
• With a win over Florida State, Duke would become bowl-eligible for the third straight season. • Florida State has never lost to Duke, holding a 22-0 advantage in the all-time series. • The Seminoles have blocked four kicks this season, which is tied for the ACC and national lead along with Georgia Tech. • Florida State looks to snap a two-game skid this week against the Blue Devils. After beating Cal, 14-9, on Sept. 21, the Seminoles lost to SMU and Clemson. • Duke has limited opposing teams to just 157.7 passing yards per game, which leads the ACC and ranks 10th in the country. • The Blue Devils have also been creating havoc in the backfield, averaging an ACC and FBS-best 9.7 tackles-for-loss per game. Alex Howard is logging 1.5 tackles-for-loss per game, ranking third in the ACC. • Duke’s Eli Pancol is tied for second in the ACC with five receiving touchdowns on the season. Pancol has recorded 294 receiving yards this season, averaging 49.0 receiving yards per game.
Saturday, Oct. 19
#6 Miami (6-0, 2-0 ACC) at (RV) Louisville (4-2, 2-1 ACC)
Noon ET; ABC
UM leads series, 11-4-1
Last meeting: UL, 38-31 (2023)
Head Coaches:
Miami: Mario Cristobal (18-13 in third season at UM; 80-73 in 14th season overall)
Louisville: Jeff Brohm (14-6 in second season at UL; 80-50 in 11th season overall)
Notes:
• Despite Miami leading the all-time series, 11-4-1, Louisville has won four of the last six meetings between the two schools. • Miami enters the week at No. 6 in the AP Poll, marking the Hurricanes’ highest ranking since Nov. 19, 2017 (No. 2). Louisville is also receiving votes in the media poll. • Miami enters the week tied with Pitt for second in the ACC standings at 2-0 each, trailing only Clemson. • Miami QB Cam Ward leads the country in passing touchdowns (20) and passing yards per game (369.8). • Louisville’s Ja’Corey Brooks leads the ACC with six receiving touchdowns. He ranks second with 572 receiving yards, averaging 95.3 receiving yards per game. • Tyler Shough ranks in the top 20 nationally and fourth in the ACC with 1,674 passing yards, averaging 279.0 passing yards per game.
Saturday, Oct. 19
Wake Forest (2-4, 1-2 ACC) at UConn (2-2)
Noon ET; CBS Sports Network
WF leads series, 2-1
Last meeting: WF, 24-10 (2007)
Head Coaches:
Wake Forest: Dave Clawson (65-65 in 11th season at WF; 155-145 in 25th season overall)
UConn: Jim Mora (13-18 in third season at UConn; 59-48 in ninth season overall)
Notes:
• Wake Forest and UConn last met in the 2007 Meineke Car Care Bowl in Charlotte, North Carolina, with the Demon Deacons winning 24-10. The two teams have only met twice in the regular season, splitting the contests. • Wake Forest’s Nick Andersen leads the ACC with 11.5 tackles per game. Andersen’s mark ranks third in the FBS. • After starting the season 1-0, Wake Forest has hit a skid, winning just one of its last four games. The game against UConn will be the Demon Deacons’ non-conference finale. • Wake Forest’s Demond Claiborne and Tate Carney have combined for 10 rushing touchdowns this season. Claiborne leads the Demon Deacons with 524 rushing yards on the season, averaging 5.3 yards per carry. • UConn, an FBS Independent, is 4-2 on the season and enters the game on a three-game winning streak with wins over Florida Atlantic, Buffalo and Temple. • The game against Wake Forest is UConn’s second ACC test of the season. Duke defeated the Huskies, 26-21, on Sept. 14. The Huskies will also meet Syracuse on Nov. 23.
Saturday, Oct. 19
Virginia (4-2, 2-1 ACC) at #10 Clemson (5-1, 4-0 ACC)
Noon ET; ACC Network
CU leads series, 40-8-1
Last meeting: CU, 41-23 (2020)
Head Coaches:
Virginia: Tony Elliott (10-18 in third season at UVA; 10-18 in third season overall)
Clemson: Dabo Swinney (175-44 in 17th season at CU; 175-44 in 17th season overall)
Notes:
• The Tigers have won five straight games against the Cavaliers, dating back to the 2008 season. In 2019, Clemson defeated Virginia, 62-17, in the ACC Football Championship Game. • Clemson enters the week ranked at No. 10 in the AP Poll – its highest ranking since the 2023 preseason poll (No. 9). • The Tigers sit atop the ACC standings with a perfect 4-0 record in conference play, outscoring their opponents by more than 100 points thus far overall on the season. • Virginia looks to bounce back from a loss to Louisville last weekend. The Cavaliers are two wins away from becoming bowl-eligible for the first time since 2019. • The Cavaliers’ Will Bettridge has made 2.17 field goals per game this season, ranking second nationally and first in the ACC.
Saturday, Oct. 19
NC State (3-4, 0-3 ACC) at California (3-3, 0-3 ACC)
3:30 p.m. ET; ACC Network
First Meeting
Head Coaches:
NC State: Dave Doeren (84-62 in 12th season at NCSU; 107-66 in 14th season overall)
Cal: Justin Wilcox (39-46 in eighth season at Cal; 39-46 in eighth season overall)
Notes:
• Cal and NC State have never met on the gridiron. • Saturday’s game will give one team their first ACC win of the season. • Cal is still searching for its first ACC win in program history. The Golden Bears are 0-3 in league play, falling to Florida State, No. 8 Miami and No. 22 Pitt. • Cal is tied with Minnesota and UNLV for the national lead with 13 interceptions on the season. Defensive back Nohl Williams leads the country with six interceptions – two more than any other player. • NC State has lost three of its last four games – all of which have come in ACC play. The Wolfpack has dropped games to No. 21 Clemson, Wake Forest and Syracuse. • CJ Bailey is the first NC State freshman quarterback since 2019 to throw for at least 1,000 yards in a season. Bailey has logged 1,070 yards and six touchdowns thus far this year. • KC Concepcion ranks fifth in the ACC in receptions per game (5.6) and sixth in touchdown receptions (4).
Saturday, Oct. 19
#12 Notre Dame (5-1) at Georgia Tech (5-2, 3-2 ACC)
3:30 p.m. ET; ESPN
ND leads series, 30-6-1
Last meeting: ND, 55-0 (2021)
Head Coaches:
Notre Dame: Marcus Freeman (24-9 in third full season at ND; 24-9 in third full season overall)
Georgia Tech: Brent Key (16-12 in second full season at GT; 16-12 in second full season overall)
Notes:
• With a win over the Fighting Irish, Georgia Tech would become bowl-eligible for the second straight season. The Yellow Jackets have not been to consecutive bowl games since they made 18 consecutive from 1997-2014. • The Yellow Jackets are seeking their first win over Notre Dame since Sept. 1, 2007. Georgia Tech has not beaten Notre Dame in Atlanta since 1976. • Georgia Tech has not beaten a team ranked No. 12 or higher since 2015, when it knocked off No. 9 Florida State. • Georgia Tech has allowed just one sack this season – one of three teams with just one sack allowed. The Yellow Jackets have allowed the fewest sacks per game at 0.14. • Notre Dame is 5-1 on the season with ranked wins over No. 20 Texas A&M and No. 16 Louisville. • This is the third consecutive game for Notre Dame against an ACC opponent. The Fighting Irish will also play Florida State and Virginia later in the season.
Saturday, Oct. 19
#21 SMU (5-1, 2-0 ACC) at Stanford (2-4, 1-2 ACC)
8 p.m. ET; ACC Network
Stanford leads series, 1-0
Last meeting: Stanford, 7-0 (1936)
Head Coaches:
SMU: Rhett Lashlee (23-10 in third season at SMU; 23-10 in third season overall)
Stanford: Troy Taylor (5-13 in second season at STAN; 35-21 in fifth season overall)
Notes:
• Stanford and SMU have only met once before as the Cardinal (then Indians) defeated the Mustangs 7-0 in the 1936 Rose Bowl. • Stanford is looking for its first win over a ranked opponent since 2021 when it defeated No. 3 Oregon in overtime. • SMU kicker Collin Rogers leads the ACC in scoring, averaging 10.2 points per game. Rogers’ 2.17 field goals per game ranks second nationally. • A win would make SMU bowl eligible for the third consecutive season. The Mustangs have not played in three straight bowls since the 2009-12 seasons in which they made four straight postseason trips. • Stanford will play back-to-back ACC home games. Following the test against No. 21 SMU, the Cardinal will host Wake Forest on Oct. 26. • The SMU game will be Stanford’s third ranked opponent of the season, joining No. 11 Notre Dame and No. 17 Clemson, both of which were played on the road.
