College Football 2011: 6 Important Games To Decide the ACC Championship

The Atlantic Coastal Conference is regaining recognition for the upcoming 2011 college football season.

Restored heavyweights like Florida State and Virginia Tech headline the conference, but Maryland and North Carolina State both finished in the Top 25 in 2010 too.

Nobody can count out the Miami Hurricanes with star quarterback Jacory Harris either, as he looks to rebound from an injury-stricken season in 2010. The Hurricanes will again play Ohio State, except this time in Miami.

There are several games this season that will make the conference championship hard to claim, but which ones are the most important? Let's take a look...

Florida State Vs. Miami (November 12, 2011)

Joel Auerbach/Getty Images

MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 9: Graig Cooper #2 of the Miami Hurricanes runs with the ball and eludes the tackloe of Lamarcus Joyner #20 of the Florida State Seminoles on October 9, 2010 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)

Florida State finished the 2010 season ranked 17th in the nation and won its bowl game in the process.

Under Jimbo Fisher, the team is rejuvenated and signed 12 "ESPN 150" recruits in 2011. Christian Ponder is no longer with the 'Noles, but they should start 2011 ranked higher than any of their ACC counterparts.

For Miami, this rivalry means everything as well. Jacory Harris is now a senior, and he'd love to leave the school on the right note. Al Golden is the new coach at "The U," and he'll try to lead his team past a tough Ohio State team early in the season.

The 'Canes will lose some depth at receiver and defensive line in the draft, but they will be a strong contender.

Virginia Tech Vs. Miami (October 8, 2011)

Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Images

MIAMI - DECEMBER 4: Tail back Mike Imoh #20 of Virgina Tech is stopped by Roger McIntosh #50 and Greg Threat #5 of the University of Miami on December 4, 2004 at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Images)

Virginia Tech went 8-0 against the rest of the conference in 2010.

With more of a speed offense for both teams, this should be a juicy matchup. It's right in the middle of the season, and the game has championship implications.

For VT, Tyrod Taylor, the quarterback and leader of that offense, has now graduated. The Hokies must keep Miami contained in this game and try to repeat their 2010 dominance.

North Carolina State Vs. North Carolina (November 5, 2011)

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 28: James Washington #24 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack celebrates after winning the Champs Sports Bowl against the West Virginia Mountineers at Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium on December 28, 2010 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo b

Here's another in-state matchup with large significance.

Last year was a disaster for the Tar Heels with the suspensions and such, but the team is still very talented. Gunslinger quarterback T.J. Yates has graduated as well, but the boys in blue are looking to avoid any distractions this season.

As for NC State, they made a surprise appearance in the Top 25 at the end of last season. A 9-4 (5-3) record was solid for NC State, and now they look to build on it in 2011.

Maryland Vs. Miami (September 5, 2011)

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

BERKELEY, CA - SEPTEMBER 05: Davin Meggett #8 of the Maryland Terrapins runs with the ball during their game against the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium on September 5, 2009 in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Image

What a way to open the season for the Terrapins. The game will be nationally televised, and Maryland will be hungry after falling to Miami 26-20 in 2010.

The Terrapins had a solid offense last season, as wide receiver Torrey Smith racked up 1,000-plus yards and scored 12 touchdowns. This Maryland team cracked the Top 25 by season's end and blew East Carolina out in the Military Bowl.

Miami has already been mentioned on the list three times, but the Hurricanes have a target on their backs with quarterback Jacory Harris in his final season. The 'Canes lost receiver Leonard Hankerson to the draft, but the offense will still be there.

It's a premier matchup to kick things off in the ACC.

Georgia Tech Vs. Virginia Tech (November 10, 2011)

Geoff Burke/Getty Images

BLACKSBURG, VA - NOVEMBER 04: Quarterback Joshua Nesbitt #9 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets runs with the ball against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Lane Stadium on November 4, 2010 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Images)

With Joshua Nesbitt behind center the last four seasons, Georgia Tech's offense has been almost completely on the ground. The Yellow Jackets ranked first in the nation in rushing yards and outside of the top 100 passing teams in 2010.

Georgia Tech did not finish strong at 6-7, but maybe the offense will take on a new look in 2011.

North Carolina, on the other hand, could be a serious threat to win the conference. The team has been loaded with untapped talent the past few years, but suspensions have stunted expectations.

The Tar Heels lost this matchup last season (30-24), but their defense is underrated. Expect North Carolina to come out with something to prove in this game and for the entire season.

North Carolina State Vs. Maryland (November 26, 2011)

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

COLLEGE PARK, MD - NOVEMBER 22: Chris Turner #10 of the Maryland Terrapins looks to pass against the Florida State Seminoles on November 22, 2008 at Byrd Stadium in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

What a show this will be! Here is the final game of the regular season for both teams.

NC State and Maryland both finished 5-3 in the Atlantic and 9-4 overall in 2010. Each of these teams climbed into the Top 25 by season's end too.

Coincidentally, both teams met in the final game of the regular season last year, with Maryland winning it 38-31.

North Carolina State had an outstanding season in 2010, finishing 18th nationally in passing offense and in the top 32 in both defensive categories. Maryland was just as impressive, giving the ACC some presence in the college football world.

This game will be outstanding.