myplainview
The Atlantic Coast Conference schedule this weekend is highlighted by No. 1 Miami's visit to North Carolina on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC. The Hurricanes (7-0, 5-0 ACC) have been dominant, with their only non-blowout wins coming in a double-overtime thriller against Florida State and a game at now-No. 14 Wake Forest where they needed multiple fourth-quarter stops. Miami boasts the nation's top total offense (551.9 yards per game) and scoring offense (49.0 points per game), led by the prolific passing connection between Darian Mensah and Malachi Toney.
North Carolina (4-3, 2-2) had been gaining momentum in Bill Belichick's second year before suffering an overtime home loss to Syracuse last week, a team that was 0-4 in ACC play. The Tar Heels' defense has been their most reliable unit, but their offense has yet to score more than 27 points in regulation against any FBS opponent under Belichick. UNC is 0-11 all-time against the No. 1-ranked team.
In the undercard, Virginia (4-4, 2-3) travels to No. 14 Wake Forest (6-1, 4-1) on Saturday at 3:45 p.m. ET on ESPN2. The Demon Deacons, coming off an open week, are looking to solidify their position in the ACC title race. They play the first of two home games before visiting No. 19 SMU on Nov. 14. The Cavaliers have dropped consecutive games to SMU and Duke after a 4-2 start.
Clemson (3-2, 2-2) visits Florida State (3-4, 1-3) on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET on ACC Network. Despite a rocky season, the Tigers were near the top of the league standings before a home loss to Virginia Tech. Now they face the Seminoles in a matchup of storied ACC programs that have struggled to meet expectations. FSU had an open week after its 43-35 loss to Miami on Oct. 17.
Key Analysis
N.C. State quarterback CJ Bailey will be under the spotlight as the Wolfpack host California on Saturday in their first game since the midseason firing of longtime coach Dave Doeren. The third-year starter said this week he is focused on doing the next positive thing for the team, and all eyes will be on him and several top players to see how they respond under interim coach Todd Goebbel.
Syracuse running back Ahmad Miller has been on a tear, rushing for 123 yards and a touchdown in a loss to Louisville, then 125 yards and another score in the overtime win at UNC. He has carried the ball 48 times in the past two games and benefited from quarterback Steve Angeli's strong return to the starting lineup against the Tar Heels. The Orange host SMU on Saturday.
Duke's Nate Sheppard may no longer lead the country in rushing, but he continues to deliver huge performances entering Saturday's visit from Boston College. The running back nearly had 100-yard receiving games in losses to Georgia Tech and UNC, then threw the winning touchdown pass against Virginia last week.
All four of Stanford's wins have come at home, including last week against N.C. State, a result that led to Doeren's dismissal. However, the Cardinal have managed just 17 total points in three road losses as they head to Louisville on Saturday.
Pittsburgh has not won since losing starting quarterback Mason Heintschel to a season-ending knee injury. The Panthers were 5-0 and ranked in the AP Top 25 but have lost three straight entering Saturday's visit from Georgia Tech. Virginia Tech is idle this week.
Originally reported by myplainview.