ACC PREVIEWS
Friday, Sept. 20
Stanford (1-1, 0-0 ACC) at Syracuse (2-0, 1-0 ACC)
7:30 p.m. ET; ESPN
First Meeting
Head Coaches:
Stanford: Troy Taylor (4-10 in second season at Stanford; 34-18 in fifth season overall)
Syracuse: Fran Brown (2-0 in first season at Syracuse; 2-0 in first season overall)
Notes
• Stanford will play its first conference game as an ACC member on Friday night at Syracuse. The game will be the first-ever meeting between the Orange and the Cardinal. • Friday will be the 44th anniversary of the JMA Wireless Dome’s opening. The Loud House is the only domed stadium in the Northeast and is the largest structure of its kind on a college campus. • The Orange have had tremendous success through the air, ranking third nationally and second in the ACC, averaging 367.5 passing yards per game. • Syracuse has been keeping opponents out of the backfield, allowing just 2.5 tackles-for-loss on the season, ranking ninth in the FBS. • Stanford has only been penalized eight times this season – best in the ACC and sixth fewest in the FBS. • Stanford boasts the No. 10 rushing defense in the FBS, allowing just 64.5 yards per game on the ground.
Saturday, Sept. 21
James Madison (2-0, 0-0 SBC) at North Carolina (3-0, 0-0 ACC)
Noon ET; ACC Network
North Carolina leads series, 3-0
Last meeting: UNC, 56-28 (2016)
Head Coaches:
James Madison: Bob Chesney (2-0 in first season at JMU; 113-46 in 15th season overall)
North Carolina: Mack Brown (110-73-1 in 16th season at UNC; 285-149-1 in 36th season overall)
Notes:
• North Carolina ran for an ACC-best 330 yards in Week 3 against N.C. Central, gaining 8.0 yards per carry and scoring five rushing touchdowns. • UNC is 3-0 for the third consecutive season. The last time UNC started 3-0 for three straight years was 1979-81. • The Tar Heels have the second-best rushing offense in the ACC this season, logging 248.7 yards per game. Omarion Hampton leads the ACC and ranks fourth in the FBS with 416 rushing yards this season. • Jahvaree Ritzie leads the ACC and ranks second nationally in sacks per game, averaging 1.67. The Tar Heel defense is tied for second in the ACC, averaging 3.33 sacks per contest. • The Tar Heels are a perfect 11-for-11 on red zone scores this season with eight touchdowns. North Carolina is one of four teams in the ACC to remain perfect in the red zone. • James Madison is off to a 2-0 start to the season with wins over Charlotte and Gardner-Webb. In 2023, the Dukes went 11-2, hosted College GameDay, and made a trip to the Armed Forces Bowl.
Saturday, Sept. 21
NC State (2-1, 0-0 ACC) at #21 Clemson (1-1, 0-0 ACC)
Noon ET; ABC
Clemson leads series, 60-30-1
Last meeting: NC State, 24-17 (2023)
Head Coaches:
NC State: Dave Doeren (83-59 in 12th season at NCSU; 106-63 in 14th season overall)
Clemson: Dabo Swinney (171-44 in 17th season at CU; 171-44 in 17th season overall)
Notes:
• A win on Saturday would make Clemson the first team in ACC history to win 800 games. The Tigers would be the 14th FBS program to ever reach the 800-win mark. • Clemson has posted the No. 25 passing offense in FBS (301.0 yds/game) and the 19th-best team passing efficiency (169.22). • NC State has recorded a pair of defensive touchdowns, leading the ACC and tied for third throughout the FBS. • KC Concepcion has been the top NC State receiver this season, ranking 13th nationally in both receptions per game (7.3) and receiving touchdowns (5). • Clemson has won 16 of the last 19 meetings against NC State. The Wolfpack won, 24-17, in the 2023 game in Raleigh. • This will be the 92nd all-time meeting in the Textile Bowl. Clemson leads the all-time series, 60-30-1. • NC State has not won in Death Valley since 2002.
Saturday, Sept. 21
Virginia (2-1, 1-0 ACC) at Coastal Carolina (3-0, 0-0 SBC)
2 p.m. ET; ESPN+
First meeting
Head Coaches:
Virginia: Tony Elliott (8-17 in third season at UVA; 8-17 in third season overall)
Coastal Carolina: Tim Beck (11-5 in second season at CCU; 11-5 in second season overall)
Notes:
• The Cavaliers fell 27-13 to Maryland in Week 3 to fall to 2-1 on the season. • The contest will be Virginia’s final non-conference game before five consecutive ACC games. • Virginia has only been penalized 3.33 times per game – the fewest in the ACC. Virginia’s 10 penalties rank as the 12th-fewest throughout the FBS. • The Cavaliers have posted the highest kickoff return average in the ACC, logging 26.00 yards per return. • Anthony Colandrea has completed 23.67 passes per game for Virginia. He has also thrown for 901 yards and five touchdowns while recording a passer rating of 150.7. • Virginia’s Jonas Sanker ranks second in the ACC in solo tackles, averaging 5.3 per game. Sanker is second on the Cavaliers with 29 total tackles. • Coastal Carolina started the season a perfect 3-0 with wins over Jacksonville State, William & Mary and Temple. • In 2023, the Chanticleers went 8-5 with a win in the Hawai’i Bowl.
Saturday, Sept. 21
Georgia Tech (3-1, 1-1 ACC) at #19 Louisville (2-0, 0-0 ACC)
3:30 p.m. ET; ESPN2
Georgia Tech leads series, 2-1
Last meeting: UL, 39-34 (2023)
Head Coaches:
Georgia Tech: Brent Key (14-11 in second full season at GT; 14-11 in second full season overall)
Louisville: Jeff Brohm (12-4 in second season at UL; 78-48 in 11th season overall)
Notes:
• Both teams have been extremely successful through the air, each completing over 72 percent of pass attempts. • Both teams also boast a top-six rushing defense in the ACC, allowing less than 100 yards per game on the ground. • Louisville boasts the No. 3 scoring offense in college football, averaging 55.5 points per game. • The Cardinals’ defense has been stellar this season, allowing just 28 first downs through three games – best in the ACC and third throughout all FBS. • On the contrary, Georgia Tech has picked up the fourth-most first downs (89) throughout the FBS this season. • Georgia Tech is one of eight teams throughout the FBS that has not allowed a sack this season. Oklahoma State and Rutgers are the only other Power 4 teams without a sack allowed.
Saturday, Sept. 21
Rutgers (2-0, 0-0 B1G) at Virginia Tech (2-1, 0-0 ACC)
3:30 p.m. ET; ACC Network
Virginia Tech leads series, 12-4
Last meeting: RU, 35-16 (2023)
Head Coaches:
Rutgers: Greg Schiano (89-95 in 16th season at RU; 89-95 in 16th season overall)
Virginia Tech: Brent Pry (12-15 in third season at VT; 12-15 in third season overall)
Notes:
• From 1993 to 2012, Virginia Tech won 12 consecutive games against Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights snapped their skid in 2023, winning 35-16 in New Jersey. • The Hokies’ Jaylin Lane has the seventh-highest punt return average throughout college football, gaining 21.0 yards per return. Lane is one of 23 FBS players with a punt return touchdown this season. • Bhayshul Tuten is tied for the most rushing touchdowns in the ACC with four. Tuten is averaging 89.67 rushing yards per game and 5.17 yards per carry. • Tuten ranks third in the ACC in rushing yards, logging 269 total yards on the ground this season. • Rutgers is off to a 2-0 start, defeating Akron and Howard, scoring at least 44 points in each contest. • The Scarlet Knights went 7-6 in 2023, knocking off Miami in the Pinstripe Bowl. • Virginia Tech and Rutgers met in the 2012 Russell Athletic Bowl in Orlando, Florida, with the Hokies winning 13-10 in overtime.
Saturday, Sept. 21
Youngstown State (1-2, 0-0 MVFC) at Pitt (3-0, 0-0 ACC)
3:30 p.m. ET; ACCNX
Pitt leads series, 4-1
Last meeting: Pitt, 28-21 [OT] (2017)
Head Coaches:
Youngstown State: Doug Phillips (20-24 in fifth season at YSU; 20-24 in fifth season overall)
Pitt: Pat Narduzzi (68-50 in 10th season at UP; 68-50 in 10th season overall)
Notes:
• Pitt scored 14 unanswered points to overcome a 10-point deficit against West Virginia. Prior to Pitt’s win, teams were 0-150 when trailing by double-digits with four minutes left in the game (CBS Sports). • Pitt became the first team since Tulsa in 2020 to overcome double-digit fourth-quarter deficits and win in back-to-back games (ESPN Stats and Info). • Pitt had not overcome a double-digit fourth-quarter deficit since 2005, going 0-72 during the stretch. The Panthers have now done so in two consecutive weeks. • Eli Holstein threw for 301 yards and three touchdowns against WVU, becoming the first Pitt QB to throw for 300 yards in three consecutive games since 2021. He is the first freshman QB to throw for 300 or more yards in three consecutive games. • Youngstown State is off to a 1-2 start this season, after going 8-5 and reaching the second round of the FCS Playoffs in 2023.
Saturday, Sept. 21
Duke (3-0, 0-0 ACC) at Middle Tennessee (1-2, 0-1 CUSA)
4 p.m. ET; ESPNU
Duke leads series, 1-0
Last meeting: Duke, 41-18 (2019)
Head Coaches:
Duke: Manny Diaz (3-0 in first season at DU; 24-15 in fourth season overall)
Middle Tennessee: Derek Mason (1-2 in first season at MTSU; 28-57 in eighth season overall)
Notes:
• Nobody in the ACC has thrown the ball more than Maalik Murphy. Murphy, a Texas transfer, has thrown for 801 yards on 122 attempts, including eight touchdowns. • Star Thomas ran for 122 yards on 22 carries against UConn. Thomas’ 122 yards were the third-most in the ACC during Week 3 and his highest total as a Blue Devil. • Eli Pancol is tied for the ACC lead with four receiving touchdowns on the year, which is also tied for fourth nationally. Pancol has 13 receptions for 161 yards on the season. • Jordan Moore leads the ACC in receptions per game and yards per game, averaging 102.00 yards on 7.67 catches. • The Blue Devils are looking to post a perfect 4-0 record in non-conference play for the second straight season – a feat that has only done three times before in their 112 seasons. • Middle Tennessee enters the Week 4 contest on a two-game losing streak, falling to Ole Miss and Western Kentucky under first-year head coach Derek Mason. • The Blue Raiders went 4-8 overall last year in 2023.
Saturday, Sept. 21
TCU (2-1, 0-1 Big 12) at SMU (2-1, 0-0 ACC)
5 p.m. ET; The CW
TCU leads series, 53-42-7
Last Meeting: TCU, 34-17 (2023)
Head Coaches:
TCU: Sonny Dykes (20-10 in third season at TCU; 91-73 in 15th season overall)
SMU: Rhett Lashlee (20-10 in third season at SMU; 20-10 in third season overall)
Notes:
• SMU trails the all-time series against TCU, 53-42-7, in the Iron Skillet Battle. The Horned Frogs have won nine of the last 11 meetings. From 1971 to 1986, SMU won 15 consecutive games against the crosstown rivals. • Saturday’s in-state tilt with TCU is the third of four consecutive home games for the Mustangs. Before the BYU loss, SMU had won nine consecutive home games. • SMU will make a change at quarterback, turning to Kevin Jennings. The redshirt sophomore has thrown for 342 yards and a touchdown in three games this season. • The Mustangs have recorded six takeaways, ranking second in the ACC. SMU has intercepted four passes, which ranks third in the conference. • TCU began the season 2-0 before falling to UCF in Week 3. The Horned Frogs knocked off ACC newcomer Stanford, 34-27, in a Week 1 showdown.
Saturday, Sept. 21
California (3-0, 0-0 ACC) at Florida State (0-3, 0-0 ACC)
7 p.m. ET; ESPN2
First meeting
Head Coaches:
Cal: Justin Wilcox (39-43 in eighth season at Cal; 39-43 in eighth season overall)
Florida State: Mike Norvell (31-20 in fifth season at FSU; 69-35 in ninth season overall)
Notes:
• Cal will play its first conference game as an ACC member when it travels to Tallahassee, Florida, to meet Florida State. The Golden Bears remain a perfect 3-0 on the season. • Florida State, which was selected as the preseason favorite to win the ACC, is still searching for its first win. • Cal’s Nohl Williams is the first ACC player since 2021 (Jermaine Waller, Virginia Tech) to begin the season with interceptions in each of his team’s first three games. Williams becomes just the fifth ACC player since 2004 to achieve the feat. • Cam Riley leads Florida State with 6.33 tackles per game, including 10 solo stops. Daniel Lyons ranks 10th in the ACC, averaging 0.83 sacks per game. • Florida State’s Alex Mastromanno leads all of FBS football in punt average, averaging 49.75 yards per punt. • Cal’s Nyziah Hunter is tied for the ACC lead with four receiving touchdowns this season. • Only one other team from California has ever been to Doak Campbell Stadium, as the Seminoles defeated No. 18 USC, 30-10, in 1998.
Saturday, Sept. 21
#8 Miami (3-0, 0-0 ACC) at USF (2-1, 0-0 AAC)
7 p.m. ET; ESPN
Miami leads series, 5-1
Last meeting: UM, 49-21 (2013)
Head Coaches:
Miami: Mario Cristobal (15-13 in third season at UM; 77-73 in 14th season overall)
USF: Alex Golesh (9-7 in second season at USF; 9-7 in second season overall)
Notes:
• The Hurricanes have won three consecutive games against USF, dating back to 2011. • Miami’s 62-0 win over Ball State was its largest-ever shutout against an FBS opponent. • Miami averaged 10.6 yards per play on its way to racking up a program-record 750 total yards of offense. The Hurricanes rank third in the country, averaging 609.3 yards of offense per game. • Cam Ward continues to cement his space as a Heisman Trophy candidate. Ward has thrown for 1,035 yards this season – one of just three FBS players to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark. Ward’s 11 touchdowns are the most by any FBS quarterback as well. • USF is off to a 2-1 start this season, with its lone loss coming on the road to No. 4 Alabama. • The Bulls went 7-6 in 2023, including a win over Syracuse in the Boca Raton Bowl.
Saturday, Sept. 21
Michigan State (3-0, 1-0 B1G) at Boston College (2-1, 1-0 ACC)
8 p.m. ET; ACC Network
BC leads series, 4-1-1
Last meeting: BC, 24-21 (2007)
Head Coaches:
Michigan State: Jonathan Smith (3-0 in first season at MSU; 37-35 in seventh season overall)
Boston College: Bill O’Brien (2-1 in first season at BC; 17-10 in third college season overall)
Notes:
• Boston College suffered its first loss in 2024, falling on the road to No. 6 Missouri, 27-21, in Week 3. • Saturday will be BC’s “Red Bandana Game”, honoring the legacy of Welles Crowther, a former BC lacrosse player who saved the lives of at least 18 people in the September 11, 2001 attacks. • Boston College ranks eighth nationally and first in the ACC, averaging 16.54 yards per completion. • BC quarterback Thomas Castellanos ranks second in the ACC and fourth nationally with nine passing touchdowns already this season. He threw only 15 touchdown passes of all of last year. • The Spartans remain a perfect 3-0 start this season, including a 1-0 start in Big Ten play. First-year head coach Jonathan Smith is the first coach to begin his MSU tenure 3-0 since Mark Dantonio in 2007. • Boston College and Michigan State last met on December 28, 2007, in the Champs Sports Bowl in Orlando, Florida. The quarterbacks in that game were Matt Ryan (BC) and Brian Hoyer (MSU), who combined for 313 NFL games and 73,691 passing yards.
