Ranking the Best ACC Matchups of Week 1
ACC action is back!
With week one of the 2015 regular season upon us, looking at the matchups from within the conference seems like the prudent thing to do.
There are your standard cupcakes strewn about. It's a commonality for virtually every conference to feature weaker opponents early. However, there are a handful of games with tremendous intrigue.
This piece will rank the 14 season-opening games for all of the ACC in order from the worst to best matchup.
14. Rhode Island vs. Syracuse
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Unless you're a supporter of Rhode Island or Syracuse, this contest likely won't offer much in the excitement category.
Syracuse is coming off of a 3-9 season. Rhode Island went 1-11 last year, winning its last game of season by a score of 13-7 over Towson.
The Orange should have no issue winning this contest. Not only are they a deeper team, but they're also physically much more talented. Rhode Island's best shot in this game is to run the ball well and control the clock. It does return four starters along the offensive line and averaged 170 yards rushing in the last six games of last year.
It's definitely something to build upon for a program in desperate need of a marquee victory.
13. Elon vs. Wake Forest
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Wake Forest's offense can only go up from last season—a year in which the Demon Deacons finished towards the bottom in total offense. Dave Clawson's offense averaged only 3.4 yards per play.
Fortunately, it should have minimal issues putting up points versus Elon. The Phoenix went 1-11 last year, and aren't very good. Neither team figures to score many points. In fact, the over/under in this in-state showdown could be somewhere in the ballpark of 25.
Both teams are fielding exceptionally young rosters. As a result, one expects to see more than a few turnovers in this game. Interestingly enough, Elon's campus is only an hour away from Winston-Salem. It should make for a nice atmosphere at BB&T Field.
12. Maine vs. Boston College
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Where to begin with Boston College...
The Eagles lost a ton from last year—including their quarterback, top-three receivers, the defense's best two pass-rushers, a vast majority of the secondary and five offensive linemen. It will be a rebuilding year in Chestnut Hill, to say the least. It's also difficult envisioning BC getting to a third straight bowl game.
Maine is coming off of a mediocre 5-6 season. In 2014, the Eagles trounced the Black Bears by a score of 40-10. While the margin of victory shouldn't be that extreme, Steve Addazio's team will garner a comfortable victory.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
11. Bethune-Cookman vs. Miami
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This has a chance to be a sneaky-good game.
Bethune-Cookman has better athletes than many realize and did win nine games in 2014. The Wildcats also return a veteran backfield with signal-caller Quentin Williams and running backs Michael D. Jones and Anthony Jordan.
Miami returns super sophomore quarterback Brad Kaaya to go along with a litany of young skill players. Youngsters such as Braxton Berrios, Joseph Yearby, Mark Walton and Stacy Coley will be fun to watch. On the defensive side of the ball, the front seven should be rock-solid.
Bethune-Cookman will make this game interesting for a half—before Miami's superior depth and athleticism take over late.
10. Youngstown State vs. Pitt
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Pat Narduzzi's debut as a head coach will be fun to watch. The architect of Michigan State's suffocating defense, he'll hope to bring the same sort of effectiveness to the Pittsburgh program.
This game is simply worth watching for the brilliance of running back James Conner alone. The bruising back rushed for 1,765 yards and 26 touchdowns. As a result, he garnered first-team All-America honors. Expect him to get a heavy dose of the rock in this contest.
Ironically enough, this will mark the first game in which former Nebraska coach Bo Pelini coaches YSU. While he doesn't have the horses to completely stymie the Pitt offense, he should be able to make it interesting.
Watching Pelini's antics on the sideline offers even more incentive to check this ballgame out.
9. Alcorn State vs. Georgia Tech
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Watching Paul Johnson's triple-option offense is a breath of fresh air. Acting as the antithesis of the spread, it's highly effective—and even more so than the vast majority of the spread offenses around the country.
Signal-caller Justin Thomas is a dark-horse Heisman candidate with his ability to run this offense with virtual ease. He'll be buoyed by youngsters TaQuon Marshall and Clinton Lynch. Although GT doesn't return a whole lot in the way of running backs, the beauty of Johnson's offense is that he can plug in guys within the system and make them look very good.
Alcorn State is the preseason favorite for the SWAC West Division. This isn't a team without talent, evidenced by a 10-win season in 2014.
However, in today's climate, Georgia Tech's offense is highly unconventional. With bigger and better athletes, the Yellow Jackets should out-execute the Braves for a comfortable victory.
8. Wofford vs. Clemson
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Clemson has a 29-0 record against FCS teams since 1982. Wofford is a FCS opponent, and this game is being played in Memorial Stadium. Conventional wisdom suggests the Tigers will win this game handily.
In the words of Lee Corso, "Not so fast, my friends."
In 2011, Wofford came into Death Valley and gave Clemson all it could handle. The Terriers had the lead in the third quarter on that day—before Dabo Swinney's team pulled away for a 35-27 victory.
It really would be surprising to see Clemson struggle in this contest. It possesses arguably the fastest and most dynamic wide receiver corps in the entire country. With Deshaun Watson under center, this one should include an explosion of points.
7. Texas State vs. Florida State
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The Seminoles post-Jameis Winston and the 10 other draft picks from the 2015 NFL Draft should be interesting to watch.
Jimbo Fisher has undoubtedly recruited at a high level. There are young players (such as Derwin James) ready to make their introduction onto the big stage.
The game also will mark the debut of Notre Dame transfer Everett Golson. The quarterback will pair with running back Dalvin Cook to form a potentially dynamic duo in the backfield.
Texas State finished last year with a 7-5 record. Head coach Dennis Franchoine will primarily rely on tailback Robert Lowe. Lowe rushed for 1,091 yards and 12 touchdowns last year—although it figures to be tougher sledding versus a Florida State front seven.
6. Tulane vs. Duke
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This is a tricky game for David Cutcliffe and the Blue Devils.
Duke will travel down to New Orleans to take on the Green Wave on Thursday night. Although Duke disposed of Tulane by a score of 47-13 last year, Tulane still racked up 231 yards on the ground and nearly 400 yards of total offense.
Cutcliffe is breaking in a new signal-caller in Thomas Sirk. A somewhat depleted backfield is buoyed by talented runner Shaq Powell.
Duke had better be careful here. Tulane is playing at home, is looking for revenge and features two very talented running backs in Lazedrick Thompson and Sherman Badie.
5. Troy vs. North Carolina State
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Signal-caller Jacoby Brissett was a revelation last season for a NC State team looking to potentially climb into the upper nechelon of the conference.
Before that happens, it'll have to get past Troy.
The Trojans are bringing back their quarterback, leading rusher and leading receiver from a year ago. New head coach Neal Brown comes over from Kentucky with an up-tempo style of offense. With the parts in place, this could be a dangerous team—especially considering the Wolfpack are integrating multiple players into their defense.
With that said, Troy is essentially replacing its entire linebacker and secondary corps. Brissett should be able to take full advantage of it. This will be closer than many think, with NC State pulling out the victory.
4. UCLA vs. Virginia
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Virginia gave UCLA a much more difficult game than the Bruins expected. Defensive coordinator Jon Tenuta unmercifully blitzed the Bruins, and there was little Jim Mora's young offensive line could do.
In this ballgame, Virginia will have to travel all the way across the country to face a hungry and determined team. UCLA will feature a true freshman at quarterback in Josh Rosen. As such, one can expect Virginia to be very blitz-happy in testing the green signal-caller.
Simply put, the Cavaliers will have to play an exceptionally good game to pull the upset on the road. UCLA is the deeper and more talented team and is motivated by nearly being upset a year prior. The Bruins certainly won't overlook Virginia again.
3. South Carolina vs. North Carolina
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This battle of the Carolinas figures to be a highly intriguing affair.
Steve Spurrier and his swashbuckling passing attack faces off versus Larry Fedora and his high-tempo offensive scheme. Elite talents Pharoh Cooper and Ryan Switzer lead their respective teams.
Both teams will want to start off the 2015 season with a signature win. South Carolina is trying to bounce back from a 7-6 season, and North Carolina is attempting to launch itself to an ACC Coastal Division crown.
This is a toss-up game—with both teams possessing good overall talent. It should truly be an entertaining contest to watch.
2. Auburn vs. Louisville
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Louisville and Bobby Petrino would like nothing more than to upset an elite SEC team in a high-profile game.
The Cardinals have plenty of talent, including the likes of Shaq Wiggins and Josh Harvey-Clemons—Georgia transfers looking to impact the secondary. Although Louisville returns only five starters on offense, it'll look to exploit a somewhat-shaky Auburn back end through the air.
Defensively, Petrino's bunch will need to somewhat neutralize Auburn's strong ground game. Dually, it'll have to tackle well and not let Auburn pick up yards in bunches after contact.
This game is a great opportunity for Louisvile to pick up a big win for the conference. Considering Petrino's coaching ability, this likely will be a close contest.
1. Ohio State vs. Virginia Tech
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This is the most intriguing game to watch this weekend involving an ACC squad.
Virginia Tech is looking to beat Ohio State for a second-straight year, after shocking the National Champions 35-21 in Columbus last year.
In 2015, the Buckeyes make the trip back to Blacksburg. "Enter Sandman" will literally make Lane Stadium shake like crazy. It's definitely not an easy place to play—even for Urban Meyer's team.
The suspensions of Joey Bosa, Corey Smith, Dontre Wilson and Jalin Marshall help Virginia Tech's chances considerably. Can the Hokies pull off another upset?
Find out on Monday at 8:00 p.m. ET.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
