ACC Rooting Guide: Week 2

Week one of the college football season did not see many upsets across the board. Auburn had a nice comeback victory over Oregon, and FSU collapsed at home against Boise St, but other than that the season got off to a chalky start. The ACC has a couple of juicy matchups in week two, including our Miami Hurricanes on the road against North Carolina. The Canes have the most important conference game as it is the only one, and Miami does not want to get off to a 0-2 start.

Friday September 6th

William & Mary Tribe 1-0 @ Virginia Cavaliers 1-0, 8:00 P.M. Eastern, ACC Network

Virginia got off to a great start in the Coastal Division by methodically beating Pitt 30-14. Bryce Perkins threw for 181 yards and 2 TDs in the win. The game was close until UVA pulled away with 17 unanswered points in the 2nd half. The Tribe also won their opener 30-17 over Lafayette. William & Mary used a 24 point 3rd quarter to take home a victory.

Root for Virginia to win this game and slowly climb the Top 25 rankings before they come to Miami in October.

Wake Forest Demon Deacons 1-0 @ Rice Owls 0-1, 8:00 P.M. Eastern, CBS Sports Network

Wake Forest rode a huge performance from Jamie Newman to knock off Utah St 38-35. The Demon Deacons look to start 2-0 vs a Rice team who lost a low scoring game against Army. Rice generated less than 250 yards of total offense and will have a tough time keeping up with a high powered Wake Forest attack.

Root for Wake Forest in this game to keep the profile of the ACC higher.

Saturday September 7th

Ohio Bobcats 1-0 @ Pittsburgh Panthers 0-1, 11:00 A.M. Eastern, ACC Network

Not the prettiest 1st outing for last year’s Coastal Division champion Pitt. Their offense was predictably lethargic and the defense gave up 17 consecutive points in an opening loss to Virginia. That game may come back to haunt them later in the year they want a return trip to Charlotte. Nathan Rourke accounted for 263 yards and 3 TDs as the Bobcats opened with a 41-20 win over URI. Ohio is well coached so expect a closer game than many think.

Root for Ohio. Maybe it is personal for me but I just don’t like Pitt and don’t want to see them win

#21 Syracuse Orange 1-0 @ Maryland Terrapins 1-0, 12:00 P.M. Eastern, ESPN

This should be one of the Top 3 games of the ACC weekend between #21 Syracuse and a Maryland team who feels way better than they did a year ago. Josh Jackson transferred from Virginia Tech and gives the Terps a talented signal caller, and the threat of down field passing. Anthony McFarland is one of the most talented backs in the country and will give Syracuse fits. The Orange won 24-0, but the game didn’t feel like a typical Syracuse game as the offense struggled. Tommy DeVito must play better than he did week 1 to get their up-tempo system rolling.

Root for Syracuse just so the ACC has more ranked teams.

Old Dominion Monarchs 1-0 @ Virginia Tech Hokies 0-1, 12:00 P.M. Eastern ESPNU

Revenge, revenge, revenge! Virginia Tech owes Old Dominion for starting a yearlong downward spiral for the Hokies after last season’s upset win. Virginia Tech had a rough go of it in week one, losing on the road at Boston College. Ryan Willis had some positive moments, but 3 picks ruined the day.

Root for Virginia Tech, because the more they win the longer Justin Fuente is on the sidelines.

Western Carolina Catamounts 0-1 @ North Carolina St Wolfpack 1-0, 12:30 P.M. Eastern ACCNX

Matthew McKay made his NC St debut a successful one throwing for 308 yards and 1 TD in an easy 34-6 win over ECU. NC St won’t be tested in this one either, as the Catamounts lost their opener to Mercer.

Root for North Carolina St to keep ACC pride intact.

USF Bulls 0-1 @ Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 0-1, 2:00 P.M. Eastern ACC Network

Two teams coming off horrible openers, who both could use a win in week 2. Georgia Tech was run off the field 52-14 by #1 Clemson, but the Yellow Jackets did display some fight for new coach Geoff Collins. Their biggest problem was the lack of a passing attack. South Florida was shallacked 49-0 at the hands of the Wisconsin Badgers. The end could be near for Charlie Strong if he can’t turn it around soon. Look for Coach Collins and GT to win their home opener.

Root for Georgia Tech to hold up their end of the ACC bargain.

#12 Texas A&M Aggies 1-0 @ #1 Clemson Tigers 1-0, 3:30 P.M. Eastern ABC

These two played a barn burner in 2018, with Clemson squeezing out a tough early season win. The difference is Clemson is no longer rotating QBs as Trevor Lawrence is now the unquestioned leader. Texas A&M is in year 2 under Jimbo Fisher and they are sure talking like they are ready to take the next step. The big question in this one is, can A&M do anything to slow down the potent Tigers offense.

Root for Clemson to stay undefeated and keep Jimbo Fisher’s team quiet.

Richmond Spiders 1-0 @ Boston College Eagles 1-0, 3:30 P.M. Eastern ACCNX

Boston College ran A.J Dillon for 81 yards and a score, and got 275 yards from Anthony Brown in a conference opening win over Virginia Tech. Richmond took out Jacksonville in a preseason NIT special. BC will be too stout on the ground to lose this one.

Root for Richmond because we still don’t like Flutie.

UL Monroe Warhawks 1-0 @ Florida State Seminoles 0-1, 5:00 P.M. Eastern ACC Network

Florida State looks to be more hydrated in week 2 at home against UL Monroe. The Seminoles blew a 31-13 lead vs Boise St in week 1, and every second of it was glorious to watch. The Broncos had over 640 yards of total offense, and completely shut down FSU’s offense in the 2nd half. The Warhawks took out Grambling, and will look to play FSU tight like Samford did a year ago in a similar situation.

Root for FSU just to keep Willie Taggart in Tallahassee for many years to come.

North Carolina A&T Aggies 1-0 @ Duke Blue Devils 0-1, 6:00 P.M. Eastern ACCNX

Duke was the sacrificial lamb week 1 at the hands of Alabama. Give Duke credit for a scoreless 1st quarter tie vs the Crimson Tide, but it got out of hand after that. Duke couldn’t accomplish much on offense, which was to be expected and Quentin Harris will need to be better as the season goes along. NC A&T will be feisty in this one, so Duke better bring their big boy pants if they want to win.

Root for Duke, even though they are still crying about 2015.

Eastern Kentucky Colonels 1-0 @ Louisville Cardinals 0-1, 7:00 P.M. Eastern ACCNX

Louisville was game on Monday night against Notre Dame, but lack of talent eventually caught up with them. Juwon Pass was good early, but the Cardinals offense eventually stalled out after a couple of early scores. EKU knocked off Valpo, but look for Louisville to win their 1st game of the year.

Root for Louisville to win game 1 under Scott Satterfield.