College Football: The 10 Best ACC Matchups for 2011
The ACC, the much maligned conference in college football, has never really lived up to the hype of "super conference" garnered when Virginia Tech, Boston College, and Miami joined in 2004.
It had an up and down year in 2010, with a 4-5 record in bowl games. However, 2011 looks to be a turn around year for the ACC, with four schools finishing in the top 25 of this years polls (Maryland, NC State, Florida State, and Virginia Tech).
There are also three schools in the top 15 in recruiting, according to Rivals (Florida State, Clemson, and North Carolina).
Here are the ten most intriguing match ups in the ACC, in no particular order. Dates have not been released for the ACC games as of the date of publication.
Florida State @ Clemson
1 of 10
This is always an intriguing match up. It has lost some of its luster since it is no longer the "Bowden Bowl", but this is still a big ACC game.
Clemson lost a heart breaker to Florida State this year, 16-13. This game could be very big for both schools, who look to figure into the ACC championship discussion.
Clemson has to have a big year next year for coach Dabo Swinney, and this will be must see TV.
Miami @ North Carolina
2 of 10
Miami and North Carolina had very disappointing 2010 seasons for different reasons.
Miami opened the season with a quarterback that many thought was a dark horse Heisman candidate in Jacory Harris. He was awful. The team finished 7-6.
North Carolina on the other hand was destroyed by suspensions. They finished 8-5. Coach Butch Davis will make sure that this doesn't happen again, as his old team comes to play in his new stadium. North Carolina will also want revenge for the beat down the Hurricanes laid on them during this season (33-10).
Al Golden is a much better coaching hire then people are led to believe. He did great things for Temple.
Miami @ Virginia Tech
3 of 10
Virginia Tech had no problems sweeping the ACC in 2010. They were clearly the best team in the conference. Miami is reloading and has a new coach that may re-energize a sleeping giant of a program.
The path to an ACC Championship will be a bit more difficult this year. With Tyrod Taylor graduating, and other major players leaving, Tech will need to reload quickly.
Games against teams like Miami (good schools that are still a year or two away from contention) will decide the fate of the Hokies this year.
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Clemson @ Maryland
4 of 10
The Maryland Terrapins went from 2-10 in 2009 to 9-4 in 2010. It was a stunning turn around and one that showed that the Terrapins were definitely on the way up.
So they fired the head coach.
Go figure. However, they hit a home run by hiring Randy Edsall, a young and emotional coach who looks to continue the upward swing.
Clemson, who finished 6-7 in the most disappointing season for a team in the ACC, has to win the games against these teams to try to rebuild it's image.
This has grown into a clearly under appreciated rivalry.
Maryland @ NC State
5 of 10
This is the battle of 9-4 Atlantic division foes. Last years 38-31 game (which North Carolina State won) was a classic. It was a very entertaining battle.
Russell Wilson is entering what feels like his 14th year as the Wolfpack starter. He is a vastly under rated quarterback who looks to have many skills needed to be good at the next level.
This will be an intriguing battle of two up and coming programs.
Georgia Tech @ Miami
6 of 10
Georgia Tech suffered through one of their worst seasons in recent memory, finishing 4-4 in conference play and 6-6 overall. They are losing some great players, and their recruiting class is shaping up to be rather flat. They are currently ranked 38th in recruiting according to Rivals.
This is another game that Miami has to win in order to try and rebuild the program. The Coastal division looks to be wide open this season between Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, Miami, and North Carolina.
This is a must win game for both schools.
North Carolina @ Clemson
7 of 10
Like most border battles, these two schools just do not like each other. North Carolina won a hard fought game in 2010, where they prevailed 21-16. North Carolina should be much better this year, and both schools have highly ranked recruiting classes.
This may be the game to watch to check out some of the top ACC freshmen in action, which in and of itself makes this a great ACC match up.
Virginia Tech @ Georgia Tech
8 of 10
Another of the coastal division clashes, this is another pair of schools that just don't seem to like each other much. Maybe it is the shared "Tech" next to the state name, but it seems as though these teams don't want to lose to each other.
This could be one of the more physical games of the ACC season. Georgia Tech will run their crazy option scheme, and Virginia Tech will be coached to hit hard and play aggressively.
This will be a fun game to watch.
Miami @ Florida State
9 of 10
It is always fun to watch these two Florida schools go at it. Heck, it is fun to watch any of the Florida schools go at it, but this one is extremely special.
With Florida State looking like the ACC's best team heading into 2011, this may be the biggest game for Miami. It will really be a measuring stick for how far the team has to go to become a serious contender.
Clemson @ Virginia Tech
10 of 10
These two schools don't play each other regularly, even though they are in the same conference. The divisional split keeps them off the field, and that is a shame. As the ACC champs, Virginia Tech will still have a lot to prove after the beat down Stanford put on them in the Orange Bowl.
Once again, Clemson must beat these teams like Virginia Tech to prove that keeping Dabo Swinny around was the best choice for the program.
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