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How has the ACC fared against Power 5 competition through week three?

Spoiler: Not great, Bob.

By Richard C. Paolillo
Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

After three weeks of college football, ACC members have already squared off with the bulk of their non-conference schedule. Most of which were lower-level FBS or FCS opponents, but it's the pairings with the Power 5 that have our interest. In nine games against the Big Ten, PAC-12 and SEC, the ACC is just 3-6 on the year.

How did we get here?

North Carolina started things by falling 17-13 to South Carolina in Charlotte. Marquise Williams play at quarterback is ultimately at fault here as he threw three interceptions, including one in North Carolina's final drive, dashing any hopes for a Tar Heels comeback.

That contest was followed by Louisville losing by a score in the Georgia Dome to the Auburn Tigers, Virginia falling to UCLA, and Ohio State outlasting Virginia Tech. In the opening week, the ACC went 0 for 4 against Power 5 adversaries.

Power 5 members in the AP Top 25

ACC

Big Ten

Big 12

PAC-12

SEC

#10 Florida State Seminoles

#1 Ohio State Buckeyes

#3 TCU Horned Frogs

#9 UCLA Bruins

#3 Ole Miss Rebels

#11 Clemson Tigers

#2 Michigan State Spartans

#5 Baylor Bears

#13 Oregon Ducks

#7 Georgia Bulldogs

#20 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

#17 Northwestern Wildcats

#15 Oklahoma Sooners

#16 Arizona Wildcats

#8 LSU Tigers

#22 Wisconsin Badgers

#24 Oklahoma State Cowboys

#18 Utah Utes

#12 Alabama Crimson Tide

#19 USC Trojans

#14 Texas A&M Aggies

#21 Stanford Cardinal

#25 Missouri Tigers

Last weekend's Big Ten-ACC challenge

The ACC came away victorious last weekend against the Big Ten, having three wins and two losses, moving the ACC's overall against the B1G to 3-3 on the year.

As for the victors, Miami survived a fourth quarter meltdown, and North Carolina and Virginia Tech pummeled Illinois and Purdue, respectively.

The losers didn't go without a fight. Pittsburgh fell to Iowa after a 52-yard field goal put the Hawkeyes on top as time expired. The Blue Devils were held in check by top-25 Northwestern, losing 19-10 in Durham. The Wildcat defense dominated the money downs, holding Duke to 3 for 17 on third down and 1 for 2 on fourth.

ACC Links:

What's left?

Several non-conference clashes with Power 5 adversaries remain, including two this upcoming weekend and fan favorite late-season bouts between rivals. This weekend, Syracuse welcomes the LSU Tigers to the Carrier Dome and Indiana takes on Wake Forest.

Other non-conference games this weekend worth noting: Boston College vs. Northern Illinois Huskies, Virginia Cavaliers vs. Boise State Broncos, and the Virginia Tech Hokies at East Carolina Pirates.

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Notable late-season matches:

  • Florida State Seminoles at Florida Gators
  • Louisville Cardinals at Kentucky Wildcats
  • Clemson Tigers at South Carolina Gamecocks
  • Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets vs. Georgia Bulldogs
  • ACC vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish: at Wake Forest Demon Deacons, vs. Pittsburgh Panthers, vs. Boston College (Fenway Park)

ACC vs. Power 5 conference notes:

  • 3-3 vs. Big Ten
  • 0-0 vs. Big 12
  • 0-1 vs. Pac-12
  • 0-2 vs. SEC



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