Saturday, Sept. 14
Louisiana Tech (1-0, 0-0 CUSA) at NC State (1-1, 0-0 ACC)
Noon ET;
ACC Network
NC State leads series, 2-0
Last meeting: NC State, 34-27 (2021)
Head Coaches:
Louisiana Tech: Sonny Cumbie (7-18 in third season at La Tech; 9-21 in third full season overall)
NC State: Dave Doeren (82-59 in 12th season at NC State; 105-63 in 14th season overall)
Notes:
• NC State looks to get back in the win column following a neutral-site loss to No. 14 Tennessee last week. With the loss, NC State fell out of the AP Top 25 poll. • NC State and Louisiana Tech have only met twice before with the Wolfpack winning both contests. • In the past three seasons, no FBS team has intercepted more passes than NC State’s 153. • NC State has won 24 of its last 28 games at home inside Carter-Finley Stadium. • KC Concepcion became the second-fastest player in NC State history to reach 1,000 receiving yards, needing just 15 games to do so. • Louisiana Tech is 1-0 this season, winning 25-17 over Nicholls. The Bulldogs went just 3-9 in 2023. • Former Louisiana Tech quarterback Hank Bachmeier is now the starting quarterback at Wake Forest.
Saturday, Sept. 14
Memphis (2-0, 0-0 AAC) at Florida State (0-2, 0-2 ACC)
Noon ET;
ESPN
Florida State leads series, 10-7-1
Last meeting: FSU, 35-3 (1990)
Head Coaches:
Memphis: Ryan Silverfield (33-19 in sixth season at Memphis; 33-19 in sixth season overall)
Florida State: Mike Norvell (31-19 in fifth season at FSU; 69-34 in ninth season overall)
Notes:
• Florida State’s head coach will face his former team for the first time. Norvell went 38-15 in four seasons with the Tigers, leading Memphis to four bowl games, including the 2019 Cotton Bowl. • The Seminoles are still seeking their first victory of the season. Both contests thus far have been ACC games against Boston College and Georgia Tech. • Florida State holds a 10-7-1 advantage over Memphis in 18 previous meetings. The Seminoles have not lost to Memphis since 1976, going 8-0-1 through the stretch. • Alex Mastromanno was named as the Week 1 Ray Guy Award Punter of the Week after punting six times against Boston College for 313 yards. Three punts went over 50 yards with two landing inside the 20-yard line. • Florida State has allowed just 126.0 yards per game through the air, which is the second-best mark in the ACC. • Memphis is off to a 2-0 start in 2024 with wins over North Alabama and Troy. The Tigers are outscoring opponents 78-17 through the first two games. • Last season, Memphis went 10-3, finishing with a Liberty Bowl win over Iowa State.
Saturday, Sept. 14
#24 Boston College (2-0, 1-0 ACC) at #6 Missouri (2-0, 0-0 SEC)
12:45 p.m. ET;
SEC Network
Boston College leads series, 1-0
Last meeting: BC, 41-34 (2021)
Head Coaches:
Boston College: Bill O’Brien (2-0 in first season at BC; 17-9 in third college season overall)
Missouri: Eliah Drinkwitz (30-21 in fifth season at Mizzou; 42-22 in sixth season overall)
Notes:
• Boston College averaged 19.8 yards per pass attempt and 23.4 yards per catch versus Duquesne last time out – both single-game highs throughout the ACC this season. • BC boasts the top rushing attack in the ACC and ninth nationally, averaging 282.5 yards per game this season. The Eagles are averaging 5.77 yards per carry. • The Eagles’ rush defense has been just as impressive, ranking seventh nationally and the best in the ACC, allowing just 40.5 yards per game. • BC has been extremely disciplined, drawing just six penalties this season – ranking fifth nationally. • Missouri has not allowed a point this season, outscoring Murray State and Buffalo, 89-0. • The ninth-ranked Tigers are coming off of an 11-2 season in 2023, winning the Cotton Bowl over No. 7 Ohio State.
Saturday, Sept. 14
West Virginia (1-1, 0-0 Big 12) at Pitt (2-0, 0-0 ACC)
3:30 p.m. ET;
ESPN2
Pitt leads series, 62-41-3
Last meeting: WVU, 17-6 (2023)
Head Coaches:
West Virginia: Neal Brown (32-30 in sixth season at WVU; 67-46 in 10th season overall)
Pitt: Pat Narduzzi (67-50 in 10th season at Pitt; 67-50 in 10th season overall)
Notes:
• The 107th meeting of the Backyard Brawl will be highly anticipated. The Panthers lead the all-time series against West Virginia, 62-41-3. • Pitt has been a pass-heavy offense in the early going, completing an ACC-best 34 passes versus Kent State in Week 1. • Desmond Reid has also posted the two best-rushing efforts throughout the ACC this season, rushing for 148 and 145 yards thus far. Reid ranks fifth nationally with 293 rushing yards, as does his 146.5 rushing yards per game. • Reid also leads all of FBS with an average of 244.00 all-purpose yards per game this season. • Pitt ranks third in the ACC in total offense, averaging 534.0 yards per game. The Panthers are gaining 7.22 yards per play through the first two weeks of 2024. • Pitt also ranks fourth in the ACC through the air, averaging 335.50 yards with seven touchdowns in 2024. • West Virginia is off to a 1-1 start, falling to No. 8 Penn State, 34-12, at home in Week 1. • WVU won the Duke’s Mayo Bowl last year, capping a 9-4 season.
Saturday, Sept. 14
Ball State (1-0, 0-0 MAC) at #10 Miami (2-0, 0-0 ACC)
3:30 p.m. ET;
ACC Network
First Meeting
Head Coaches:
Ball State: Mike Neu (38-56 in ninth season at BSU; 38-56 in ninth season overall)
Miami: Mario Cristobal (14-13 in third season at UM; 76-73 in 14th season overall)
Notes:
• Cam Ward threw for more than 300 yards for the second straight week. Ward ranks fifth in the FBS in total offense, averaging 367.5 yards per game. • Xavier Restrepo has been Ward’s favorite target thus far, eclipsing 100 yards of receiving in both games. Restrepo logged 104 yards against Florida A&M – one of just eight ACC receivers to crack the 100-yard mark in Week 2. • Miami boasts the second-highest scoring offense in the ACC this season, averaging 48.5 points per game. • The Hurricanes’ defense ranks fourth in the league, allowing just 225.5 yards per game. • #10 is Miami’s highest ranking in the AP poll since December 6, 2020. • Ball State opened the season with a 42-34 win over Missouri State. • The Cardinals went 4-8 in 2023, including a 3-5 mark in MAC play.
Saturday, Sept. 14
VMI (0-2, 0-0 SoCon) at Georgia Tech (2-1, 1-0 ACC)
3:30 p.m. ET;
ACCNX
Georgia Tech leads series, 14-1
Last meeting: GT, 34-7 (1988)
Head Coaches:
VMI: Danny Rocco …….(5-8 in second season at VMI; 126-73 in 18th season overall)
Georgia Tech: Brent Key .. (13-11 in second full season at GT; 13-11 in second full season overall)
Notes:
• Week 2 was Georgia Tech’s first appearance in the AP Top 25 Poll in nine years. • The Yellow Jackets lead the ACC in rushing touchdowns with nine, which is tied for ninth nationally. • GT has recorded 527 rushing yards on the season, ranking third in the ACC. • The Georgia Tech offensive line has not allowed a sack yet this season – one of just 15 FBS teams to do so. • The Yellow Jackets have scored on 100 percent of their trips to the red zone this year, going a perfect 8-for-8 on touchdowns. • Hayes King completed 29-of-39 pass attempts versus Syracuse, adding 67 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground. • Kyle Efford is leading the GT defense through three games, logging 29 total tackles. Efford has also notched a sack and 2.5 tackles-for-loss. • VMI went 5-6 in 2023, including a 4-4 mark in SoCon play. • The Keydets are still searching for their first win of 2024, falling to #15/16 William & Mary and Bucknell.
Saturday, Sept. 14
NC Central (1-1, 0-0 MEAC) at North Carolina (2-0, 0-0 ACC)
6 p.m. ET;
ACCNX
First Meeting
Head Coaches:
North Carolina Central: Trei Oliver (30-19 in fifth season at NCCU; 30-19 in fifth season overall)
North Carolina: Mack Brown (109-73-1 in 16th season at UNC; 284-149-1 in 36th season overall)
Notes:
• Jahvaree Ritzie leads the ACC and FBS football with 5.0 sacks on the season. Ritzie also ranks fourth nationally with 5.0 tackles-for-loss on the season. • Conner Harrell completed 16-of-25 passes for 219 yards and two touchdowns against Charlotte. Harrell moved into the QB1 role after Max Johnson suffered a season-ending injury in Week 1 in the road win at Minnesota. • Davion Gause became the second Tar Heel to rush for 100+ yards in a game this season. Gause ran for 109 yards and a touchdown against the 49ers last week. • The Tar Heels received seven votes in the Week 3 AP Poll. UNC has appeared in the AP Top 25 in each of the last four seasons. • North Carolina Central is 1-1 on the season, winning its opening game versus Alabama State, 31-24, in the Orange Blossom Classic. The Eagles made the FCS Playoffs in 2023, falling to #22/25 Richmond in the first round.
Saturday, Sept. 14
UConn (1-1) at Duke (2-0, 0-0 ACC)
6 p.m. ET;
ACCNX
UConn leads series, 2-1
Last Meeting: DU, 41-7 (2023)
Head Coaches:
UConn: Jim Mora (10-17 in third season at UConn; 56-47 in ninth season overall)
Duke: Manny Diaz (2-0 in first season at Duke; 23-15 in fourth season overall)
Notes:
• The Blue Devils are coming off a Week 2 double-overtime win at Northwestern, 26-20. • This will be just the fourth meeting between UConn and Duke with the Huskies holding a 2-1 advantage in the series. However, Duke’s 41-7 victory in 2023 was the largest margin of victory in the series. • Duke’s Alex Howard is tied for fifth in the nation with 5.0 tackles-for-loss on the season. • Duke leads the country in tackles-for-loss as a team, recording 13.5 on the season. The Blue Devils hold a half-tackle lead over East Carolina. • The Blue Devils lead the ACC in red zone defense, holding opponents to just a 60 percent success rate. • Jordan Moore is tied for second in the country in receptions per game, hauling in 9.0 passes each week. Moore has caught a pass in 27 consecutive games – the longest active streak in the ACC. • After falling to Maryland in its season opener, UConn picked up a 63-17 win over Merrimack in Week 2. • The FBS Independent Huskies went 3-9 in 2023 with wins over Rice, Sacred Heart and UMass.
Saturday, Sept. 14
Virginia Tech (1-1, 0-0 ACC) at Old Dominion (0-2, 0-0 SBC)
6 p.m. ET;
ESPN+
VT leads series, 3-2
Last meeting: Marshall, 24-17 (2023)
Head Coaches:
Virginia Tech: Brent Pry (11-15 in third season at VT; 11-15 in third season overall)
Old Dominion: Ricky Rahne (15-25 in fourth season at ODU; 15-25 in fourth season overall)
Notes:
• Virginia Tech and Old Dominion will meet for the sixth time on Saturday. The Hokies have won three of the five previous meetings, but have never won in Norfolk, Virginia. • With just one turnover on the season, the Hokies rank second in the ACC. • Mansoor Delane has logged three interceptions this season and ranks second in the ACC in interceptions per game (1.5). • Jaylin Lane recorded a 58-yard punt return touchdown against Marshall. It was his second career punt return TD with the other coming in 2021 as a member of Middle Tennessee. • Old Dominion is 0-2 on the season with two one-score losses to South Carolina and East Carolina. • Last season, ODU went 6-7 (5-3 Sun Belt) and made an appearance in the Famous Toastery Bowl.
Saturday, Sept. 14
#5 Ole Miss (2-0, 0-0 SEC) at Wake Forest (1-1, 0-1 ACC)
6:30 p.m. ET;
The CW
WF leads series, 2-0
Last meeting: WF, 30-28 (2008)
Head Coaches:
Ole Miss: Lane Kiffin (36-15 in fifth season at Ole Miss; 97-49 in 13th season overall)
Wake Forest: Dave Clawson (64-62 in 11th season at WF; 154-142 in 24th season overall)
Notes:
• Wake Forest is looking for its first win over a top-five team since October 26, 1946, when it beat No. 4 Tennessee in Knoxville, 19-6. • Both the Demon Deacons and Rebels have been playing quickly to begin the season, ranking inside the top 10 national in seconds per play. Ole Miss ranks seventh, averaging 21.7 seconds between snaps, while Wake Forest is tied for 10th, needing just 22.2 seconds. • The Deacs’ Hank Bachmeier ranks 10th in the FBS in total offense with an average of 346.5 yards per game. • Wake Forest is looking to bounce back from a loss to Virginia to open ACC play. • Demond Claiborne has run for 221 yards through the first two games for Wake Forest. • Nick Andersen leads the Wake Forest defense with 23.0 stops through two weeks, including 15.0 solo tackles. • Ole Miss has outscored its opponents 128-3 through the first two games of the season. • The fifth-ranked Rebels went 11-2 in 2023 with a 38-25 victory over No. 10 Penn State in the Peach Bowl.
Saturday, Sept. 14
Maryland (1-1, 0-1 B1G) at Virginia (2-0, 1-0 ACC)
8 p.m. ET;
ACC Network
Maryland leads series, 45-32-2
Last meeting: Maryland, 42-14 (2023)
Head Coaches:
Maryland: Michael Locksley (30-34 in sixth full season at UMD; 32-60 in ninth full season overall)
Virginia: Tony Elliott (8-16 in third season at UVA; 8-16 in third season overall)
Notes:
• Virginia opened ACC play with a comeback victory over Wake Forest, 31-30, on the road last week. The Cavaliers won just two ACC games in 2023. • The Cavaliers enter the week in a three-way tie atop the ACC standings alongside Syracuse and Boston College. • Against Wake Forest, Anthony Colandrea completed 33 passes – the most of any ACC quarterback in a game this season. He finished with 357 yards and three touchdowns. • Malachi Fields hauled in 11 receptions for 148 yards against the Demon Deacons, both of which are career-highs. His 11 receptions matched the single-game high in the ACC this season. • Maryland opened Big Ten play with a 27-24 loss to Michigan State at home, falling to 1-1 on the season. • The Terps went 8-5 in 2023, including a win over Auburn in the Music City Bowl.
Saturday, Sept. 14
San Diego State (1-1, 0-0 MW) at California (2-0, 0-0 ACC)
10:30 p.m. ET; ESPN
Series tied, 4-4
Last meeting: SDSU, 45-40 (2016)
Head Coaches:
San Diego State: Sean Lewis (1-1 in first season at SDSU; 25-32 in sixth season overall)
Cal: Justin Wilcox (38-43 in eighth season at Cal; 38-43 in eighth season overall)
Notes:
• With its Week 2 win over Auburn, Cal has won four of its last five against SEC opponents. • Cal leads all of FBS football with seven interceptions on the season. No other FBS team has more than five. Cal also leads the nation in turnover margin (+3.50) and takeaways (8). • The Golden Bears have not thrown an interception yet, either – one of just 37 teams throughout the FBS ranks. • The game against San Diego State will be Cal’s final tune-up before beginning its first season of ACC play. Cal will travel to Florida State to open league play in Week 4. • ACC Defensive Back of the Week, Nohl Williams, leads the FBS with three interceptions this season. Williams snagged two INTs against Auburn, including one on the potential game-tying drive late in the fourth quarter. • San Diego State opened the season with a win over Texas A&M – Commerce before falling in Week 2 to Oregon State. • The Aztecs went 4-8 in 2023, posting a 2-6 mark in Mountain West play.
