Ranking the Best ACC Matchups of Week 11
Week 11 of the college football season offers multiple quality ACC matchups.
On Thursday, Virginia Tech was able to narrowly defeat Georgia Tech by a score of 23-21. The victory by the Hokies gave them their fifth victory. Another win will equal a 23rd straight year with a bowl appearance under head coach Frank Beamer.
It would be fitting to see Beamer's team involved in a postseason game, considering the longtime head coach just recently announced his retirement.
This weekend also features six games throughout the conference. There are plenty of narratives, starting with No. 1 Clemson looking to march toward a potential College Football Playoff berth.
Wake Forest at Notre Dame
1 of 6
Ranked No. 4 in the College Football Playoff rankings, Notre Dame (8-1) is firing on all cylinders at this point in the season.
It's won four in a row and is putting up points in bunches. If the defense can continue to play with consistency, there's no question the Fighting Irish are a viable threat to snag one of the treasured four playoff spots.
Against a 3-6 Wake Forest team at home, head coach Brian Kelly's squad should have no problem winning this contest by a comfortable margin. The Demon Deacons are at a disadvantage from both a depth and talent standpoint.
Clemson at Syracuse
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Ranked as the No. 1 team in the College Football Playoff rankings, Clemson (9-0) has its collective eye on the big prize.
Of course, a loss in conference play could ultimately derail those hopes. Playing at Syracuse (3-6) won't necessarily be an easy task. The Carrier Dome is a bit of a funky place to play, and the travel up north (with frigid temperatures) could make things interesting.
With that said, Clemson has an immense advantage in speed and overall talent. It should win this contest comfortably.
Virginia at Louisville
3 of 6
Winners of five of their past six, Louisville (5-4) is one victory away from becoming bowl-eligible.
It will be hosting a struggling Virginia team at home. Mike London's squad is 3-6 and must win its remaining three games in order to have the possibility of playing in a postseason contest.
The Cavaliers haven't been playing poorly. For the most part, they've been competitive in nearly every game. With that said, London's team hasn't been able to get over the proverbial hump.
Against a more talented team, there isn't reason to think this trend will end.
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Pittsburgh at Duke
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This is a vital game for both teams when it comes to the Coastal Division.
A loss by Duke virtually eliminates the Blue Devils from the conference title game. Dually, a Pitt defeat would make it extremely difficult in catching North Carolina. The Tar Heels hold a one-game advantage over the Panthers, and North Carolina also owns the tiebreaker.
This figures to be a highly competitive game with such stakes on the line. Duke (6-3) cannot have a defensive effort akin to the one it produced last week. It allowed 66 points against North Carolina and looked utterly lost.
Pitt (6-3) will attempt to lean on signal-caller Nathan Peterman and running back Qadree Ollison for production in the ground game.
NC State at Florida State
5 of 6
After starting the season feasting on four cupcakes, N.C. State (6-3) has lost three of its five conference games.
The rise in competition has obviously bothered the Wolfpack, who've had some trouble being consistent on both sides of the ball. Offensively and defensively, the team has had its moments. Against Florida State, it will need to put together a complete game if it's to pull the upset.
The Seminoles (7-2) will want to bounce back from their tough loss to Clemson last week. Running back Dalvin Cook figures to be an immense focus of the FSU offense with his ability to dominate games.
It will also be fascinating to see whether N.C. State signal-caller Jacoby Brissett can make plays down the field with both his arm and legs.
Miami at North Carolina
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Since the embarrassing 58-0 loss at home to Clemson, Miami has won two games in a row, becoming bowl-eligible in the process.
A weight seems to have been lifted off of the collective shoulders of the team. Miami (6-3) is playing with more freedom, and there appears to be a lighter feel surrounding the squad.
It will be challenged by a North Carolina squad (8-1) looking like the prohibitive favorite in the Coastal Division. A Pitt loss and a UNC victory would clinch the division for the Tar Heels.
This should be a competitive and exciting contest with the amount of talent featured on the field for both sides. Miami figures to provide UNC with one of its more difficult games of the season thus far.
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