Week seven may be a bye week for our beloved Hurricanes, but the Atlantic Coast Conference is still at full tilt. This weekend features several crucial matchups. We can't say that with a straight face. Hell, every conference game within the Coastal has importance. There's plenty of film to watch and decisive battles to captivate us as we enjoy a much needed week off before Virginia Tech.

Atlantic Division

1^st - Florida State Seminoles 6-0 ACC: 4-0

AP/Coaches ranking: 2^nd/2^nd

Previous week: @ Syracuse Orange (2-4); Result: WIN 38-20

Next opponent: 10/18 8:00PM vs. #5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (6-0)

Florida State faces its toughest test of the season yet when the Fighting Irish come to Tallahassee. Last week, Notre Dame had to fend off North Carolina in what was a much closer game than anybody anticipated. The Seminoles had a scare of their own a few weeks back against N.C. State but Florida State appears to have regained its footing after strong victories over Wake Forest and Syracuse.

2^nd - Clemson Tigers 4-2 ACC: 3-1

AP/Coaches ranking: 24^th/22^nd

Previous week: vs. Louisville Cardinals (5-2); Result: WIN 23-17

Next opponent: 10/18 3:30PM @ Boston College Eagles (4-2)

After earning a hard fought victory against Louisville, Dabo Swinney announced on Sunday that freshman quarterback Deshaun Watson will require surgery after breaking a finger on his throwing hand. Cole Stoudt takes the reigns of the Tigers' offense as Watson will need a month of recovery.

3^rd - Louisville Cardinals 5-2 ACC: 3-2

AP/Coaches ranking: NR/NR

Previous week: @ #22 Clemson Tigers (4-2); Result: LOSS 23-17

Next opponent: 10/18 3:30PM vs. N.C. State Wolfpack (4-3)

Will Gardner returns from injury to lead the Cardinals against the Wolfpack.

4^th - Boston College Eagles 4-2 ACC: 1-1

AP/Coaches ranking: NR/NR

Previous week: @ N.C. State Wolfpack (4-3); Result: WIN 30-14

Next opponent: 10/18 3:30PM vs. #22 Clemson Tigers (4-2)

BC Interruption breaks down the rivalry between Boston College and Clemson.

5^th - N.C. State Wolfpack 4-3 ACC: 0-3

AP/Coaches ranking: NR/NR

Previous week: vs. Boston College Eagles (4-2); Result: LOSS 30-14

Next opponent: 10/18 3:30PM @ Louisville Cardinals (5-2)

N.C. State suspended seven players, including three starters, for their game with Louisville on Saturday. That's not an ideal situation for the Wolfpack, who after giving Florida State a close contest has dropped its last two conference games and struggled to put up points.

6^th - Syracuse Orange 2-4 ACC: 0-2

AP/Coaches ranking: NR/NR

Previous week: vs. #2 Florida State (6-0); Result: LOSS 38-20

Next opponent: 10/18 12:00PM @ Wake Forest Demon Deacons (2-4)

Syracuse began the season as a possible dark horse candidate in the Atlantic Division. Week-by-week those memories have faded after disappointing outings. To save themselves from hitting rock bottom the Orange must win at BB&T Field.

7^th - Wake Forest Demon Deacons 2-4 ACC: 0-2

AP/Coaches ranking: NR/NR

Previous week: BYE; Result: N/A

Next opponent: 10/18 12:00PM vs. Syracuse Orange (2-4)

In contrast to Syracuse, Wake Forest finally has a chance to escape its last place ranking. While the Orange competed with #2 Florida State this past weekend, the Demon Deacons rested and prepared during their bye week.

Coastal Division

1^st - Virginia Cavaliers 4-2 ACC: 2-0

AP/Coaches ranking: NR/NR

Previous week: BYE; Result: N/A

Next opponent: 10/18 12:30PM @ Duke Blue Devils (5-1)

Virginia travels to Durham to face a Duke Blue Devils group coming off a strong showing against Georgia Tech. 

2^nd - Duke Blue Devils 5-1 ACC: 1-1

AP/Coaches ranking: NR/NR

Previous week: @ Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (5-1); Result: WIN 31-25

Next opponent: 10/18 12:30PM vs. Virginia Cavaliers (4-2)

We ranked Duke 2^nd in the Coastal Division. (Shh... I know.) Miami beat Duke and by a decent margin... then, to Miami fans' delight, the Blue Devils did the same to Georgia Tech. That's great. Be happy with that, Canes fans. But don't fret because the Blue Devils are above Miami in the rankings. You shouldn't. The Hurricanes' defense needs to improve before they're taken seriously and only added wins in the conference will see to Miami having a higher placement.

3^rd - Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 5-1 ACC: 2-1

AP/Coaches ranking: NR/NR

Previous week: vs. Duke Blue Devils (5-1); Result: LOSS 31-25

Next opponent: 10/18 7:00PM @ North Carolina Tar Heels (2-4)

Georgia Tech suffered its first loss of the season this past weekend. From the Rumble Seat focuses on the positives for the Yellow Jackets.

4^th - Virginia Tech Hokies 4-2 ACC: 1-1

AP/Coaches ranking: NR/NR

Previous week: BYE; Result: N/A

Next opponent: Thursday 10/16 7:30PM @ Pittsburgh Panthers (3-3)

As we noted last week: Virginia Tech's next contest is one of two consecutive Thursday night matchups. Gobbler Country relived the Hokies' history against Pittsburgh at Heinz Field and has a poll featuring Primanti Brothers sandwiches. (Vote for sandwiches.)

5^th - Miami Hurricanes 4-3 ACC: 1-2

AP/Coaches ranking: NR/NR

Previous week: vs. Cincinnati Bearcats (2-3); Result: WIN 55-34

Next opponent: BYE

Don't look here. It's a bye week! Spend your weekend scouting our competition in the ACC and praying our defense improves.

6^th - Pittsburgh Panthers 3-3 ACC: 1-1

AP/Coaches ranking: NR/NR

Previous week: BYE; Result: N/A

Next opponent: Thursday 10/16 7:30PM vs. Virginia Tech Hokies (4-2)

Every battle within the Coastal Division is met with importance. For Pittsburgh, however, this matchup with Virginia Tech carries more weight than most. Cardiac Hill spoke on Pitt's outlook in their preview for the Hokies: "if the team is going to have any chance of winning the Coastal Division, this is essentially a 'must win.' There are a lot of games to be played, but having already lost to Virginia, there's little margin left for error. Winning the Division might seem like a pipe dream, but that's obviously the team's goal. Lose on Thursday and it's really hard to see that happening." You can find a link to Cardiac Hill's full preview HERE.

7^th - North Carolina Tar Heels 2-4 ACC: 0-2

AP/Coaches ranking: NR/NR

Previous week: @ #5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (6-0); Result: LOSS 50-43

Next Opponent: 10/18 7:00PM vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (5-1)

This past Saturday, while flipping between Mississippi State-Auburn and North Carolina-Notre Dame, we all united as Tar Heel fans. This was a surprising development. North Carolina, who five games through the season had brought nothing but disappointment, gave the undefeated Irish their biggest challenge yet. Whether this is a step forward for the Tar Heels or a misstep by Notre Dame remains to be seen. Georgia Tech coming to Chapel Hill will likely answer that question. A maligned Tar Heel defense must prove they're capable of stopping something, anything if any attempt to salvage this season is possible.

Conference Notes:

ACC vs. AAC (4-2)

ACC vs. Big Ten (1-3)

ACC vs. Big 12 (2-0)

ACC vs. PAC-12 (1-1)

ACC vs. SEC (0-1)

#GOACC