Homecoming—it’s a tradition that traces its roots all the way back to when the University of Missouri tried to create excitement for a 1911 rivalry game against Kansas. With new conference regulations stipulating that the game had to be played on a collegiate campus rather than the customary neutral site, Tigers’ Athletic Director Chester Brewer suggested for alumni to “come home” to campus for the big game.

Although Baylor, Indiana and Illinois technically predated Missouri’s celebration, the Tigers were the first to have the stereotypical parade and pep rally surrounding Saturday’s “big game,” and that formula has dominated college campuses for much of the past century. As N.C . State’s 2011 Homecoming game arrives, it’s not just about Wolfpack nation trying to motivate its team toward a massive upset of No. 7 Clemson—it’s all about how much every ACC team’s home, sweet home, means to them late in the season. 

Atlantic Division

Boston College (3-7, 2-5 ACC) - “Home” by Breaking Benjamin

“There’s a yellow brick road/That we follow back home ’cause I know you can’t wait/Your belligerent hate/There’s no place like home/There’s no place like home.”

Losses to Northwestern and Duke highlighted a particularly embarrassing home slate for the Eagles, who will finish their last two games on the road. After finishing the season in South Beach, BC will head back home to snow, hot chocolate and Boston Bruins hockey. 

Home Record: 2-4

Attendance in most recent home game: 33,712 (75.7%)

#7 Clemson (9-1, 6-1 ACC) - “Home” by Jack Johnson

“Whatever I find, I’ll find my way back to you/And if you could try to find it too, cause this place is overgrown into waxing mood/Home is wherever we are if there is love there too.”

Considering the last time Clemson reached 10 wins in a season was 21 years ago, it’s safe to assume the Tigers feel at home just about anywhere they go these days. 

Home Record: 7-0

Attendance in most recent home game: 80,000 (98.1%)

#25 Florida State (7-3, 5-2 ACC) - “Home” by Goo Goo Dolls

“Come take me home tonight/Come take me home/Oh I need you now, I’m lost without you/A million miles but I will find you/So take me home.”

Looking for a sixth straight win, the ‘Noles will tackle a Virginia team which has won five of its last six. Home has treated FSU well this season, but E.J . Manuel’s effective play at the quarterback position since returning from injury only sharpens the regret of starting the season 2-3.

Home Record: 5-1

Attendance in most recent home game: 82,322 (100.1%)

Maryland (2-8, 1-5 ACC) - “Home” by Three Days Grace

“I’ll be coming home just to be alone/’Cause I know you’re not there/And I notice you don’t care/I can hardly wait to leave this place.”

Directly correlating with horrendous on-field play, Terps fans have abandoned Randy Edsall in favor of basketball season. After a 38-3 loss to Temple early in the season set the tone for Maryland, it’s difficult to blame them. 

Home Record: 2-5

Attendance in most recent home game: 37,401 (69.2%)

N.C . State (5-5, 2-4 ACC) - “Home” by Foo Fighters 

“Stand in the mirror, you look the same/Just looking for shelter from the cold and the pain/Some want to cover, safe from the rain/And all I want is to be home.”

Aside from an Oct. 1 loss to Georgia Tech, State has not dropped a game at Carter-Finley this season. After failing miserably against lowly Boston College, the Pack must defend its home turf this Saturday or the 2011 season will end next weekend against Maryland.

Home Record: 4-1

Attendance in most recent home game: 57,583 (100%)

Wake Forest (5-5, 4-3 ACC) - “Home” by Daughtry

“No, I think you got me all wrong/I don’t regret this life I chose for me/But these places and these faces are getting old/So I’m going home, well I’m going home.”

Fan excitement has not been an issue all year long for the Deacs and the BB&T Field faithful will be rewarded with two opportunities to obtain bowl eligibility versus Maryland and Vanderbilt – both teams visiting Winston-Salem. 

Home Record: 3-2

Attendance in most recent home game: 36,307 (115.2%)

Coastal Division

Duke (3-7, 1-5 ACC) - “Home” by 12 Stones

“I hide in darkness blind to sense/Chasing a dream with false pretense/Help me find the fracture in this dark sky/Everything that I believe is slowly overtaking me/I’m just trying to find my way back home.”  

Senior Day has almost arrived for Duke, and the last home game for the Devils looks remarkably similar to the last home game during the past 13 seasons – none of the departing seniors have experienced a bowl game. 

Home Record: 1-5

Attendance in most recent home game: 27,392 (80.7%)

Georgia Tech (7-3, 4-3 ACC) - “Home” by Nine Inch Nails

“Everything is catching up with me/I awake to find I’m not at all where I should be/And it feels I’m getting to the end/And it’s hard to figure out what’s real and what’s pretend.”  

The Jackets didn’t lose at home until Virginia Tech came calling, but the disappointment of starting 5-0 and then falling out of the sky is a bitter pill to swallow. Perhaps a home victory next week against heated rival No. 14 Georgia could dull some of the pain.

Home Record: 5-1

Attendance in most recent home game: 50,140 (91.1%)

Miami (5-5, 3-4 ACC) - “Home” by Michael Buble

“And I feel just like I’m living someone else’s life/It’s like I just stepped outside when everything was going right/And I know just why you could not come along with me/’Cause this was not your dream/But you always believed in me.”  

For a proud program that has won five National Titles in the past three decades, Miami’s 2011 season will be remembered more for the introduction of intimidating allegations than damaging home losses to Kansas State and Virginia. 

Home Record: 4-2

Attendance in most recent home game: 62,053 (82.5%)

North Carolina - “Home” by Mumford & Sons

“Wrap up your questions, keep them down/Let the water lead us home/And I was sorry for what I’d done when you were young/I was not old, but our story was not told/Torn apart by greedy hands.”  

Home Record: 5-1

Attendance in most recent home game: 57,000 (95%)

Virginia (7-3, 4-2 ACC) - “Home” by Iggy Pop

“So many people rise and fall/Who’s lookin ‘ after you at all?/Nobody knows anybody at all/Strangers in paradise down at the mall/Home, boy/Home, boy/Everybody needs a home.”

It’s been a while since the Cavs had already locked up a bowl game 10 games into the season while also controlling their own fate in the Coastal Division. UVA is the surprise team of the ACC and a home finale with Virginia Tech offers an opportunity to really leave a mark. 

Home Record: 4-2

Attendance in most recent home game: 45,733 (74.3%)

#8 Virginia Tech - “Home” by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

“Moats and boats and Waterfalls, Alleyways and payphone calls/I been everywhere with you/Laugh until we think we’ll die, barefoot on a summer night/Never could be sweeter than with you.”