Ranking the Best ACC Matchups of Week 3
Week 3 of the college football season is upon us!
The ACC has a massive contest this weekend. It's arguably the highest-profile game this weekend in the entire country.
There are also a litany of other intriguing games. With many teams already in conference play/nearing conference play, the number of "cupcake" games is starting to subside. We see that here for the most part in Week 3.
William & Mary at Virginia
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Take a breath, Virginia fans—this game should provide your team with a victory.
Matt Johns will throw for at least 300 yards in this contest. Taquan "Smoke" Mizzell will run for at least 100 yards and a touchdown. Virginia will put together its most complete football game and in the process will give head coach Mike London his first win of the 2015 season.
From a talent and depth standpoint, the Cavaliers should have no problems in this contest.
NC State at Old Dominion
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Old Dominion is undefeated at 2-0, and this game versus North Carolina State will be played at S.B. Ballard Stadium in Norfolk. It's feasible to think ODU could pull the upset at first glance.
However, it's not likely.
North Carolina State is an 18.5-point favorite in this contest, per Odds Shark (as of Thursday afternoon). Jacoby Brissett has been on fire for a team averaging 42.5 points per game through the first two.
The Wolfpack have aspirations of winning the ACC this year as a dark-horse candidate. They can ill afford to overlook a small-school opponent and get upset.
Wake Forest at Army
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Army is 0-2 on the season but has been competitive in both contests. It's lost the games versus Connecticut and Fordham by a combined seven points.
Wake Forest had a solid victory over Elon to open the year—before losing on the road in conference play to Syracuse last week.
The Black Knights are hoping to end an eight-game losing streak versus the Demon Deacons. In order to avoid this, Wake needs to play a complete football game. It was leading at halftime versus Syracuse—before being shut out in the second half.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Central Michigan at Syracuse
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Syracuse has looked good thus far in 2015.
After defeating Wake Forest by a score of 30-17 at home, the Orange sit with a perfect conference record. Quarterback Eric Dungey had a great game—going 8-of-13 for 221 yards and two touchdowns. It was both an efficient and highly productive outing. He also had 36 yards rushing on 12 carries.
Central Michigan is facing a confident team on the road. The Chippewas will have to play well in order to pull the upset.
Virginia Tech at Purdue
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Virginia Tech signal-caller Brenden Motley was a revelation last week versus Furman.
The dual-threat quarterback threw for 233 yards and two touchdowns, and also ran for 38 yards and a score. He gave the Hokies a dynamic option from the position. With the run game not looking overly great to start the year, Motley's ability to utilize his legs is significant.
He should pick up from where he left off and have some success versus a Purdue team that lost to Marshall in the opener by 10 points. While the game is in West Lafayette, the Hokies defense should be able to help out its inexperienced quarterback with a strong effort.
Pitt at Iowa
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Pitt will be in for a dogfight in this contest on the road.
While the Panthers are 2-0, the loss of running back James Conner cannot be overstated enough. He was the fulcrum of the offense and one of the best players at his position nationally.
Iowa seems like the perfect type of opponent for Conner to unleash his physical style of running. As it is, the Panthers will rely on Tyler Boyd to be the game-breaker it needs.
This figures to be a low-scoring, grind-it-out contest. The football purists rooted in defense should love this matchup.
Illinois at North Carolina
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This is a potentially sneaky-good game.
Despite having a coaching change the week of its season opener, Illinois is off to a 2-0 start—defeating Kent St. 52-3 and Western Illinois 44-0, respectively. While it's not Murderers' Row, it's certainly a positive beginning to the 2015 slate.
Last week in a 53-14 trumping of North Carolina A&T, quarterback Marquise Williams bounced back from a tough opening game in the loss to South Carolina. He went 15-of-20 for 211 yards and two touchdowns. Against Illinois at home, he should be able to build upon his strong play and rack up more points.
North Carolina's receivers will test—and trouble—the Illinois secondary. Receiver Ryan Switzer could be in for a big game.
Nebraska at Miami
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This is a fun matchup rooted in nostalgia.
Both are attempting to resurrect their programs from a standing of a relic—with the hopes of becoming relevant on the national stage again. The history between Miami and Nebraska is a rich one, with the two teams facing off versus each other 11 times throughout the years.
Miami is the more athletic team collectively. Nebraska certainly isn't the Nebraska of old, even though the Cornhuskers do have decent talent at spots.
It should be a close game at Sun Life Stadium. The Hurricanes are only three-point favorite as of Thursday afternoon.
Florida State at Boston College
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After feasting on two cupcakes (beating Howard and Maine by a combined 100-3 score), Boston College takes a big step up in competition versus the monster program in the conference.
The Eagles lost a ton from last year's team. They've been forced to rely upon young talent at multiple spots. While Steve Addazio's team has looked impressive early, we'll learn a whole lot more about just how good it is.
Everett Golson didn't exactly set the world on fire with his play versus South Florida. Running back Dalvin Cook will likely garner a good chunk of the rock in this contest. Expect the Seminoles to heavily rely on their athletic advantage in this Friday night contest.
Clemson at Louisville
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This game had much more hype to it prior to Louisville starting 0-2.
Bobby Petrino's team lost two close games by a combined 10 points. It's not a team without talent or ability—but it certainly is a team in desperate need of a victory.
Clemson needs to be careful here. The Cardinals have a bunch of bounce-back transfers from big-time schools. It also could act as a "wounded animal" at home at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium.
The game will be played tonight at 7:30 p.m. ET. Tune in, because it should be a good one.
Northwestern at Duke
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The battle of the brains!
Both teams sit at 2-0 on the year. Northwestern's win over Stanford was a very good one, and Duke's victory in New Orleans versus Tulane might be better than people realize.
Northwestern is a bigger, more physical team than the Blue Devils. Conversely, David Cutcliffe's team has better athletes. These two teams are relatively similar. It will come down to which team can take care of the ball and capitalize on quality opportunities from an efficiency standpoint.
Duke is a slight favorite at home, despite Northwestern being a ranked team.
Georgia Tech at Notre Dame
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This is the marquee matchup this upcoming weekend.
Georgia Tech will travel to South Bend to take on Notre Dame. This game will likely be a big barometer for both teams—in particular the Yellow Jackets.
Paul Johnson's team hasn't been challenged within the first two weeks. In fact, GT is one of four teams not to have a three-and-out on the year. The offense is churning along with its potent rushing attack—averaging 67.0 points per game.
Notre Dame will be the most athletic and talented team Georgia Tech will have faced up to this point. This game will hopefully answer one question: Is Georgia Tech as good as it has shown the past two games, or is it a bit overrated?
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
