WEEK 7 GAME SCHEDULE
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12
TIME, TV SIRIUSXM APP/WEB
#10 Clemson at Wake Forest
Noon ET, ESPN 161, 193, or 371 371 or 955
Series: Clemson leads series, 71-17-1;
Last meeting: Clemson, 17-12 (2023)
ESPN: Dave Pasch (play-by-play), Dusty Dvoracek (analyst), Taylor McGregor (sideline)
Georgia Tech at North Carolina Noon
ET, The CW 162, 194, or 380 956 or 970
Series: Georgia Tech leads series, 33-22-3;
Last meeting: Georgia Tech, 46-42 (2023)
The CW: Thom Brennaman (play-by-play), Max Browne (analyst), Treavor Scales (sideline)
Stanford at #11 Notre Dame
3:30 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock 85 or 129 85 or 129
Series: Notre Dame leads series, 23-14;
Last meeting: Notre Dame, 56-23 (2023)
NBC & Peacock: Dan Hicks (play-by-play), Jason Garrett (analyst), Zora Stephenson (sideline)
California at #22 Pitt
3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN 161, 193, or 371 371 or 955
Series: Pitt leads series, 3-2;
Last meeting: Cal, 30-15 (1966)
ESPN: Dave Flemming (play-by-play), Brock Osweiler (analyst), Stormy Buonantony (sideline)
Louisville at Virginia
3:30 p.m. ET, ACCN 162, 194, or 385 956 or 975
Series: Louisville leads series, 7-5;
Last meeting: Louisville, 31-24 (2023)
ACCN: Chris Cotter (play-by-play), Mark Herzlich (analyst), Coley Harvey (sideline)
Syracuse at NC State
8 p.m. ET, ACCN 161, 193, or 371 371 or 955
Series: NC State leads series, 13-3;
Last meeting: Syracuse, 24-9 (2022)
ACCN: Wes Durham (play-by-play), Tom Luginbill (analyst), Dana Boyle (sideline)
ACC FIRSTS CONFERENCE GAMES
The three newest members in the ACC – Cal, SMU and Stanford, have all played their first conference games – both home and away – already this season.
In Week 5 of the season, SMU hosted Florida State for its first conference game as an ACC member on Saturday, September 28. The Mustangs defeated Florida State 42-16 for their first-ever ACC conference win.
The Mustangs’ ACC first came just one week after both Stanford and Cal played their first league games in Week 4, both of which were on the road. n Stanford was victorious in its ACC opener, becoming the ninth current or former ACC program to win its first-ever league game.
SMU became the 10th current or former ACC program to win its first-ever league game with the victory over Florida State, joining Stanford and seven other full-time schools – Duke, North Carolina, Maryland, Florida State, Miami, Louisville and Virginia Tech, as well as Notre Dame (2020) – in winning their first conference game as a member of the ACC.
Cal was unable to win in its ACC opener, as the Golden Bears fell on the road at Florida State 14-9 on Saturday, September 21.
AROUND THE ACC
Boston College: Wideout Lewis Bond continues to quietly have a great season, as last week he caught seven passes in the contest at Virginia to push his career total to 87 receptions. He hauled in a 31-yard catch-and-run as part of a 79-yard game and went over 1,000 career receiving yards. This season, Bond has caught 30 passes for 358 yards and two scores. He is tied for 33rd in program history with Travis Levy (2017-21) and Barry Gallup (1966-68) in career receptions at Boston College.
California: The Golden Bears went BIG in the program’s first-ever ACC home game last week versus No. 8 Miami, hosting ESPN’s College Gameday and the first sellout at California Memorial Stadium in a non-Big Game since September 14, 2013, against Ohio State. Redshirt sophomore quarterback Fernando Mendoza completed four passes of over 50 yards to four different receivers (66- yard TD to Jaydn Ott, 57-yard TD to Jack Endries; 56-yard pass to Jaivian Thomas; 51-yard pass to Trond Grizzell), the most 50-yard passes in a single game this season in the ACC.
Clemson: The Tigers have not only put up a lot of points over their last four wins with a combined 194 points, but they have done it early and often. Clemson has outscored its opponents 90-0 in the first quarter of games this season, and Clemson’s first-quarter scoring differential of +18.0 points leads the nation. This season marks Clemson’s first-time holding opponents scoreless in the first quarter of each of the first five games of a season since 1990.
Duke: Despite suffering their first loss of the season last week on the road at Georgia Tech, the Blue Devils finished with 6.0 tackles-for-loss, bringing their season total to 58.0 overall and an average of 9.7 per game which ranks second in all FBS. Dating back to the North Carolina tilt on November 11, 2023, Duke has totaled 78.0 tackles-for-loss, an average of 7.8 per game during its last 10 games.
Florida State: The Seminoles’ quarterback Brock Glenn made his first start of the season and third of his career last week versus Clemson. Glenn was 23-for-41 for 228 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. His 23 completions surpassed his 19 career completions coming into the game and more than doubled his previous single-game high of nine. Glenn’s 228 passing yards versus Clemson was one yard shy of matching his career total of 229 and was 89 yards better than his previous single-game best of 139. With the start, Glenn became the fourth quarterback in the College Football Playoff Era, since 2014, to have his first three career starts at quarterback all against top-15 opponents.
Georgia Tech: The Yellow Jackets continue to shine on the defensive side of the ball regarding run defense. GT has held four of its first six opponents on the season to under 100 rushing yards, which is the most opponents that it has held less than 100 yards on the ground since 2013 when it allowed less than 100 rushing yards six times. The Yellow Jackets lead the ACC and rank 11th nationally in run defense, holding their opponents to an average of just 87.5 yards per game on the ground.
Louisville: Wide receiver Ja’Corey Brooks has stepped up in a big way for the Louisville Cardinals this season. With a pair of touchdown catches in each of the Cards’ last two games at Notre Dame and versus SMU, he became the first Louisville player with multiple touchdown receptions in back-to-back games since Josh Bellamy accomplished it versus Arkansas State and Memphis in October 2010. Brooks is only the second receiver in Louisville history to average over 40 yards per catch with at least three receptions in a game with his three catches for 121 yards versus SMU last time out.
Miami: In the Hurricanes’ 39-38 come-from-behind win at Cal last Saturday, the visitors owned the fourth quarter. Miami’s offense totaled 278 yards in the fourth quarter against a Cal defense that is one of the best in the nation. The defense allowed just 26 yards in the fourth quarter and only 155 total offensive yards in the second half to the Golden Bears. The Hurricanes finished the day with 575 yards of offense and are now averaging 583.8 yards per game, which is tops in the nation.
North Carolina: The North Carolina offense has been successful running the football this season, with one of the top running backs in the nation in Omarion Hampton. The Heels rank 31st nationally with 198.3 rushing yards per game, led by Hampton who ranks fifth in all FBS with 127.3 rushing yards per contest. Hampton rushed for over 100 yards for the fifth time in six games last time out versus Pitt. Hampton and Don McCauley are the only Carolina backs to rush for 100 yards or more in five games in multiple seasons.
North Carolina State: The Wolfpack will turn to freshman quarterback CJ Bailey against Syracuse this week, as he will be making his third career start. Bailey made his first start in the loss at Clemson on September 21, where he completed his first eight throws and was 10 of his first 11, including a touchdown throw to Jordan Waters. For the game, he was 16-of-25 for 204 yards, one touchdown and one interception. In his second start the next week against NIU, Bailey was 13-of-20 for 109 yards and a touchdown toss, while also rushing for 22 yards and a score in the win. Last week, after entering the game early in the contest versus Wake Forest, he threw for a career-high 272 yards and two scores in the loss.
Pittsburgh: The 5-0 Panthers have been led this season by transfer quarterback Eli Holstein. The redshirt freshman quarterback, who is a viable contender for ACC Player and Rookie of the Year accolades, ranks third nationally in total offense (366.4 avg.), fifth in touchdown passes (15) and eighth in passing yards (313.4 avg.) this season. He is running an explosive Pitt offense that is averaging 522.2 yards, which ranks fourth nationally, and 45.6 points per game, which is sixth nationally. Holstein is the first Pitt quarterback to win his initial five starts since Dan Marino in 1979.
SMU: The Mustangs have appeared to have made the transition to Power 4 and the ACC rather easy, as 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.
Stanford: The Cardinal will step out of ACC play this week to take on No. 11 Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, in a rivalry game. Despite Stanford’s 2-3 start to the season, the defense has been much-improved in 2024. Last year, the Cardinal defense allowed 461.7 yards per game, the most in program history. This season, the Cardinal are limiting opponents to just 358.6 yards per game, a difference of over 100 yards per game.
Syracuse: With the offense clicking on all cylinders, Syracuse ran 96 offensive plays against UNLV in last week’s overtime win, which is the highest single-game total for an FBS team this season. Syracuse’s win over UNLV marked the Orange’s seventh straight against nonconference foes during the regular season. The Orange completed a perfect regular-season record (4-0) outside league play last season for the first time since joining The BIG EAST in 1991 and are 3-0 in non-conference play thus far this season.
Virginia: The Cavaliers have proven to be resilient once again this season. Virginia is 4-1 for the first time since 2019 and the sixth time since 1999. The Cavaliers are 2-0 to start ACC play for the first time since 2019 and won back-to-back ACC games for the first time since 2021. The two ACC wins have come in comeback fashion, as the Cavaliers erased a 14-point deficit in both the road win at Wake Forest on September 7 and the home win over Boston College last week.
Virginia Tech: Quarterback Kyron Drones had himself a game in the Hokies’ first-ever contest in the Pacific Time Zone, as he led his team to an ACC road win at Stanford. Drones accounted for 218 yards of total offense, going 14-of-19 for 201 yards and two touchdowns through the air while also rushing eight times for 17 yards and a score on the ground.
Wake Forest: The Demon Deacons’ do-it-all running back Demond Claiborne was key in the come-from-behind ACC road win over NC State last week. Claiborne paced the Wake Forest offense with 136 rushing yards on 20 carries and scored a pair of rushing touchdowns. He also caught two passes for eight yards and recorded his first career receiving touchdown in the win.
WEEK 7 PREVIEWS
Saturday, Oct. 12
Georgia Tech (4-2, 2-2 ACC) at North Carolina (3-3, 0-2 ACC)
Noon ET; The CW
GT leads series, 33-22-3
Last meeting: GT, 46-42 (2023)
Head Coaches:
Georgia Tech: Brent Key (15-12 in third season at GT; 15-12 in third season overall)
North Carolina: Mack Brown (110-76-1 in 16th season at UNC; 285-152-1 in 36th season overall)
Notes:
• Georgia Tech has won five of the last six meetings against North Carolina. • The Yellow Jackets came from behind to knock off previously unbeaten Duke, 24-14, in Atlanta last week. GT rushed for a season-high 245 yards and was led by 128 yards from Jamal Haynes, which matched his career high. • GT has posted the No. 3 defense in the ACC this season, allowing 312.5 yards per game, while boasting the best rushing defense in the league at 87.5 yards per game. • The Tar Heels are the only FBS program with a 100+ yard rusher in each of its first six games. Omarion Hampton leads the ACC with 764 rushing yards, which is third nationally. • Hampton moved into ninth place on UNC’s all-time rushing yards (2,669) and rushing touchdowns (28) list. • North Carolina looks to snap a three-game regular season losing streak – its first since 2019. The Tar Heels are 0-2 in ACC play for the first time since 2017.
Saturday, Oct. 12
#10 Clemson (4-1, 3-0 ACC) at Wake Forest (2-3, 1-1 ACC)
Noon ET; ESPN
Clemson leads series, 71-17-1
Last meeting: CU, 17-12 (2023)
Head Coaches:
Clemson: Dabo Swinney (174-44 in 17th season at CU; 174-44 in 17th season overall)
Wake Forest: Dave Clawson (65-64 in 11th season at WF; 155-144 in 25th season overall)
Notes:
• Clemson has won 17 of the last 18 meetings between the two schools, including seven straight in Winston-Salem, N.C. • Clemson’s Dabo Swinney became the ACC’s all-time wins leader with a 29-13 victory over Florida State. The win was No. 174 of Swinney’s career, passing the late Bobby Bowden and his 173 wins as an ACC head coach. • Phil Mafah ran for 154 yards in the Tigers’ win at FSU. Mafah ranks fifth in the ACC this season with 496 yards. • Clemson’s Cade Klubnik ranks ninth in the FBS with 14 passing touchdowns this season. His favorite target, Antonio Williams, has hauled in four touchdowns. • Wake Forest trailed by 10 points in the fourth quarter before launching a come-from-behind victory over NC State last week. It is one of just two double-digit comeback wins in program history over Power 5 teams. • The Demon Deacons’ Demond Claiborne ran for 136 yards and two touchdowns in the win over NC State. He ranks sixth in the ACC with 471 rushing yards this season. • Nick Andersen leads the ACC in both solo and total tackles. Anderson’s 12.0 tackles per game rank third in the FBS while his 6.0 solo tackles rank fifth nationally.
Saturday, Oct. 12
Stanford (2-3, 1-2 ACC) at #11 Notre Dame (4-1)
3:30 p.m. ET; NBC & Peacock
ND leads series, 22-14
Last meeting: ND, 56-23 (2023)
Head Coaches:
Stanford: Troy Taylor (5-12 in second season at STAN; 35-20 in fifth season overall)
Notre Dame: Marcus Freeman (23-9 in third full season at ND; 23-9 in third full season overall)
Notes:
• Stanford looks to snap a two-game losing streak when it heads to South Bend, Indiana. The Cardinal have dropped back-to-back games to Clemson and Virginia Tech. • The Cardinal and Fighting Irish have split their last 10 meetings as the teams battle for the Legends Trophy. • Without starting QB Ashton Daniels, Stanford struggled through the air against VT. The Cardinal finished with 122 passing yards while running back Micah Ford threw for a touchdown. • Stanford has stopped the run this season, allowing just 88.2 yards per game – the second-fewest in the ACC. • Notre Dame is coming off of an open week. The Fighting Irish are 4-1 on the season with a pair of ranked wins over Texas A&M and Louisville. • Notre Dame is 1-0 against ACC teams, defeating No. 15 Louisville, 31-24, on Sept. 28. Stanford will be the second of five ACC opponents this season for the Irish.
Saturday, Oct. 12
Louisville (3-2, 1-1 ACC) at Virginia (4-1, 2-0 ACC)
3:30 p.m. ET; ACC Network
Louisville leads series, 7-5
Last meeting: UL, 31-24 (2023)
Head Coaches:
Louisville: Jeff Brohm (13-6 in second season at UL; 79-50 in 11th season overall)
Virginia: Tony Elliott (10-17 in third season at UVA; 10-17 in third season overall)
Notes:
• Louisville has won two straight meetings against Virginia and holds a 7-5 advantage in the all-time series. • The Cardinals look to snap a two-game skid after falling to Notre Dame and SMU. • Louisville had a 300-yard passer, 100-yard rusher and 100-yard receiver for the first time since Sept. 23, 2023, in the loss to SMU. • Louisville’s Ja’Corey Brooks leads the ACC with six receiving touchdowns. Brooks leads the league with 97.8 receiving yards per game while ranking second with 489 total receiving yards. • Virginia, which was picked 16th in the ACC Preseason Poll, is off to a 2-0 start in league play for the first time since 2019. • The Cavaliers erased a 14-point deficit to beat Boston College last week. It’s the second 14-point come-from-behind victory of the season for UVA, both coming in ACC play. • Virginia’s Malachi Fields has caught three touchdown passes over the last two weeks. Fields led the Hoos with 63 receiving yards and has caught a pass in 20 straight games for Virginia.
Saturday, Oct. 12
California (3-2, 0-2 ACC) at #22 Pitt (5-0, 1-0 ACC)
3:30 p.m. ET; ESPN
Pitt leads series, 3-2
Last meeting: Cal, 30-15 (1966)
Head Coaches:
California: Justin Wilcox (39-45 in eighth season at Cal; 39-45 in eighth season overall)
Pitt: Pat Narduzzi (70-50 in 10th season at Pitt; 70-50 in 10th season overall)
Notes:
• This will be the first meeting between Cal and Pitt since Oct. 1, 1966. Pitt leads the all-time series 3-2. • Pitt QB Eli Holstein threw for a Pitt freshman record 381 yards and three touchdowns against North Carolina. Holstein ranks third in the ACC in passing yards (1,567) and touchdowns (15). • Pitt is 5-0 for the first time since 1991 and the 15th time in program history. In each of the four previous times (1915, 1916, 1929 and 1976), Pitt went on to win the national championship. • Cal defensive back Nohl Williams secured a 40-yard pick-six against Miami, marking his third different way to score a touchdown. Williams had previously returned two fumbles and a kickoff for touchdowns this season. • Cal leads the country with 11 interceptions on the season. Williams also leads all FBS football with five interceptions.
Saturday, Oct. 12
Syracuse (4-1, 1-1 ACC) at NC State (3-3, 0-2 ACC)
8 p.m. ET; ACC Network
NC State leads series, 13-3
Last meeting: SU, 24-9 (2022)
Head Coaches:
Syracuse: Fran Brown (4-1 in first season at SU; 4-1 in first season overall)
NC State: Dave Doeren (84-61 in 12th season at NCSU; 107-65 in 14th season overall)
Notes:
• Syracuse won the last meeting against NC State, snapping a three-game winning streak for the Wolfpack. NC State holds a 13-3 lead in the all-time series. • Syracuse has won two games over ranked opponents this season (No. 23 Georgia Tech, No. 25 UNLV) for the first time since 2001. • LeQuint Allen moved into second place on Syracuse’s all-time receptions list by a running back with 84 catches, trailing only Antwon Bailey’s 92 (2008-11). • Kyle McCord ranks second in the ACC in passing touchdowns (17), passing yards per game (362.8), passing yards (1,814) and points responsible for (108). He also ranks in the top four nationally in all four categories. • After replacing an injured Grayson McCall, freshman quarterback CJ Bailey completed 28-of-42 passes for 272 yards and two touchdowns for the Wolfpack last week. • KC Concepcion ranks second in the ACC in receptions per game (6.2) and fifth in touchdown receptions (4). • NC State’s Davin Vann leads the ACC in forced fumbles (0.50/game), while DK Kaufman is tied for the league lead in fumbles recovered with two.
