College Football Schedule: 10 Must-See Games in the ACC This Season

With the beginning of the football season drawing ever closer, ACC fans must be wondering which games they have to look forward to and which dates they should circle on their calendars.

Well, worry no longer. Here is the list of the biggest games in the Atlantic Coast Conference in 2011. Some of them will have conference championship ramifications, while others are big games against non-conference opponents.

Obviously, with 12 teams and almost a hundred games there are too many to cover. If you think there has been an oversight, please feel free to share your thoughts.

(For your convenience, I have placed the games in chronological order, starting with the earliest)

Oklahoma Sooners vs the Florida State Seminoles on September 17th

The ACC has been derided in recent years for its teams' inability to win big games. This one could shut them all up.

The Oklahoma Sooners, returning Landry Jones and Ryan Broyles among others, will enter the season as No. 1 team in the country.

Florida State will not be far behind them at No. 5. EJ Manuel got enough playing time last season that he should be able to take over the offense without a hitch. The Seminole defense will be stout in 2011, led by shutdown cornerbacks Xavier Rhodes and Greg Reid.

This game has all the makings of a good old-fashioned shootout. There will be plenty of speed on both sides of the ball, and both teams will be playing like their national championship lives depend on it because, well, they do.

Stat to consider: These two teams have a combined seven BCS Championship appearances (including their matchup in the 2001 Title game), despite the short 13 year life of the BCS.

Ohio State Buckeyes vs the Miami Hurricanes on September 17th

Just as they did on September 11th a year ago, Miami and Ohio State will play on the same day that Florida State plays Oklahoma in 2011.

Like the Florida State-Oklahoma game, this is a huge game for the conference's image. The ACC must start getting some marquee wins to regain the respect of the college football world.

Miami fans have had a sore spot for Ohio State since the 2003 BCS Championship that many Hurricanes fans feel was stolen from them with a questionable call. Last year's loss to the Buckeyes probably didn't help those feelings of animosity.

Even with the loss of their coach Jim Tressel, quarterback Terrelle Pryor, and likely much more once the NCAA is through with them, the Ohio State Buckeyes enter the season ranked No. 16.

A win in this game would be a nice ego boost for the ACC, especially if it was coupled with a win by Florida State the same day.

Stat to consider: The Miami Hurricanes were coming off consecutive undefeated regular seasons when they met the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl. The Hurricanes have not finished a season with less than two losses since.

Florida State Seminoles vs the Clemson Tigers on September 24th

If the Florida State Seminoles are going to lose the Atlantic Division, this will likely be the game that does it. With the game against North Carolina State coming at home, this trip will be the biggest hurdle in the Seminoles Atlantic Division schedule.

The game once coined the "Bowden Bowl" now no longer features a Bowden coach on either side.

That doesn't mean the game means any less. The winner of this contest has represented the Atlantic Division in the ACC Championship each of the last two years, Clemson in 2009 and Florida State a year ago.

It wouldn't be far-fetched to assume that the winner of the 2011 edition will follow suit and play in the championship game again.

Stat to consider: Clemson, despite being behind overall in the series history 17-7, has won five of the last eight games played.

North Carolina Tarheels vs the Virginia Tech Hokies on October 1st

Despite Virginia Tech having won all but one of the games against North Carolina post-ACC expansion, the last few years have provided a couple very close finishes.

Two years ago, the Hokies ACC Title hopes were dashed when the Tarheels unexpectedly forced a Ryan Williams fumble and kicked the winning field goal as time expired.

In 2008, Virginia Tech rallied from a 17-3 second half deficit to beat North Carolina 20-17, a win which would unknowingly secure the Hokies' Coastal division title two months later.

This season, both teams enter with expectations of winning. New Tarheels quarterback Bryn Renner has a talented receiving corps to throw to, along with another staunch North Carolina defense.

New Hokies quarterback Logan Thomas will look to continue the winning tradition against the Tarheels.

Stat to consider: The away team has won each of the three last games in this series.

Miami Hurricanes vs the Virginia Tech Hokies on October 8th

It's still hard to believe that after seven years in the conference the Miami Hurricanes have yet to win the Coastal Division, let alone the ACC itself.

With the upheaval at North Carolina (and the firing of Coach Butch Davis) this game could likely decide the Coastal Division champion in 2011.

Miami certainly has plenty of talent on the roster (especially on defense), with big names like Ray-Ray Armstrong and Marcus Forston.

Virginia Tech has to replace Tyrod Taylor and tailbacks Ryan Williams and Darren Evans, but there is plenty of offensive talent with David Wilson and a loaded receiving corps. Jayron Hosley should lead a speedy, albeit inexperienced defense.

Stat to consider: Virginia Tech has won six of the last eight games against the Miami Hurricanes.

North Carolina State Wolfpack vs the Florida State Seminoles on October 29th

The North Carolina State Wolfpack are my pick for dark horse ACC Title contender in 2011.

Quarterback Mike Glennon impressed coaches so much that they were willing to let their second-team All-ACC star Russell Wilson walk. Glennon will have tailback Mustafa Greene back in the backfield.

The Florida State Seminoles will be looking to avenge a four-point loss to the Wolfpack in 2010. Just as they were last year, they will almost certainly be expected to win this game.

These two teams will be the favorites in the Atlantic Division, obviously with Florida State being ahead by a long shot. If NC State can surprise them again, they'll have a chance to steal the division.

Stat to consider: North Carolina State hasn't won the ACC since 1979

Virginia Tech Hokies vs the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on November 10th

The expectations seem to be diminished for Georgia Tech in 2011. With the loss of quarterback Josh Nesbitt and running back Anthony Allen, this season appears to be a rebuilding year for the Yellow Jackets.

Still, you can't overlook the fact that the winner of this game has played in the ACC Title game every year since its inception in 2005.

You can't argue with history. The winner of this game has been the Coastal Division Champion every time. With the way Bud Foster's defense has struggled with Georgia Tech's triple option over the years, the Hokies could have their hands full with the Yellow Jackets again.

Stat to consider: The last three games in this series have been decided by an average of five points.

Miami Hurricanes vs the Florida State Seminoles on November 12th

Miami versus Florida State should evoke certain thoughts from any true college football fan. Namely "Wide Right," "Wide Left," and "Wide Right" a couple more times.

Though this rivalry may have lost some of its luster in recent years with the stumbling of its two former powerhouse participants, it's still Miami vs Florida State.

It will only be a matter of time before these two are competing for national championships again (perhaps this season for FSU).

Miami, as previously mentioned, has a good amount of talent. The question mark at quarterback is the most pressing issue.

Florida State is looking like a top five team coming off their handling of the South Carolina Gamecocks in the Chick-fil-A Bowl.

Even if the game doesn't have BCS Title implications like it once did, it will still go a long way in deciding who plays in the ACC Championship.

Maryland Terrapins vs the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on November 12th

Even if Notre Dame isn't the football power they once were, this would be a huge win for the Maryland Terrapins and the ACC itself.

Maryland returns conference Rookie of the Year Danny O'Brien and leading rusher Davin Meggett. There is some promise for new coach Randy Edsall's debut season.

There is a solid amount of buzz generating around the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team in 2011, especially with star receiver Michael Floyd being cleared to play.

Coach Brian Kelly looks to improve off an 8-5 first season. His Fighting Irish are ranked No. 18 to start the season.

Maryland football has been fairly stagnant the last eight years, with the Terrapins having not won more than nine games since Ralph Friedgen's third season as head coach in 2003. This win could jump start a revival of the program.

Stat to consider: In their four Big East meetings with Edsall at the University of Connecticut and Kelly at Cincinnati, Kelly won three of the four. 

Clemson Tigers vs the South Carolina Gamecocks on November 26th

Marquee wins for the ACC are desperately needed. It would be a bonus if they could come against SEC competition.

The Clemson Tigers have struggled of late in this rivalry. While former coach Tommy Bowden had an excellent record against the South Carolina Gamecocks, Dabo Swinney has not fared as well, getting blown out in each of the last two games.

South Carolina enters the season returning quarterback Stephen Garcia, running back Marcus Lattimore, and star receiver Alshon Jefferey. They will be the favorites to win the SEC East.

This game would be a huge boost for Clemson. The Tigers almost beat a top-notch SEC opponent in future BCS Champion Auburn last season, but blew a 17-3 halftime lead.

Stat to consider: Coach Steve Spurrier has yet to have a season with South Carolina with less than five losses.