No. 3 Florida State (11-0, 8-0) – What else is new? The ‘Noles escaped yet another close game with kicker Roberto Aguayo making a 26-yard field goal with three seconds left in regulation to record a 20-17 victory over Boston College. That is the fifth time this season the ‘Noles have needed a go-ahead score in the fourth quarter to seal a victory. They take on in-state rival Florida next week before facing Georgia Tech in the ACC Championship Dec. 6.
No. 24 Louisville (8-3, 5-3) – In their first game without starting sophomore quarterback Will Gardner, the Cardinals held off a late push by Notre Dame in a nail-biting 31-28 victory. Sophomore running back Brandon Radcliff led the team with 136 rushing yards and a touchdown, while averaging eight yards per carry. Sophomore safety Gerod Holliman didn’t intercept a pass this game, but is one interception shy of tying the NCAA single season record.
No. 22 Clemson (8-3, 6-2) – Coming off a brutal loss to Georgia Tech, the Tigers handily defeated Georgia State 28-0. Freshman running back Tyshon Dye had 124 yards and two touchdowns on the ground to help overcome a lackluster passing effort. The Tigers face longtime rival South Carolina in their season finale Saturday.
Boston College (6-5, 3-4) – The Eagles came so close against Florida State Saturday, but a missed field goal allowed the ‘Noles to march down the field and score sealed a loss. Aided by the running attack, the Eagles were able to keep up with the ‘Noles for most of the game, but in the end, it wasn’t enough. The Eagles face Syracuse in their season finale Saturday.
NC State (6-5, 2-5) – The Wolfpack had a bye week to digest earning bowl eligibility and to prepare for a game against longtime rival UNC-Chapel Hill. The Pack will need junior quarterback Jacoby Brissett and the rest of the offense to keep up with what has been a red-hot Tar Heel team as of late.
Syracuse (3-8, 1-6) – The Orange was trampled by Pittsburgh in what marked its fourth straight loss of the season. It hasn’t been a good season for ‘Cuse, but it will try to finish strong against Boston College Saturday.
Wake Forest (3-8, 1-6) – So much for them losing out. The Demon Deacons came away with a 6-3 double overtime victory against Virginia Tech Saturday. This game marked the first scoreless game after regulation since 2005 and was just an ugly game overall, with the teams combining for less than 500 yards of total offense. The Demon Deacons play Duke in their season finale Saturday.
COASTAL
No. 18 Georgia Tech (9-2, 6-2) – During their bye week, the Yellow Jackets clinched the Coastal division after Duke lost Thursday night. A team that looked mediocre early in the season has improved across the board and will travel to Charlotte to face Florida State for the ACC Championship title Dec. 6. This week’s matchup against No. 10 Georgia will be the toughest opponent of the year and will be a good test of how much the Yellow Jackets can handle.
North Carolina (6-5, 4-3) – The Tar Heels have now won four of their last five games after beating Duke Thursday night, 45-20. A team that started off the season slowly has vastly improved and now sits at second in the Coastal division as well as clinching bowl eligibility.
Duke (8-3, 4-3) – In the past two weeks, after losing to Virginia Tech and UNC, the Blue Devils saw their division chances go from almost certain to mathematically eliminated. They showed signs of unsteadiness in previous weeks, but a late downfall has dwindled what started as a great season.
Miami (6-5, 3-4) – Last week’s heartbreaking loss to Florida State proved a momentum killer, as the Hurricanes simply didn’t look like the same team in a 30-13 loss against Virginia. They look to rebound in their season finale against Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh (5-6, 3-4) – The Panthers ran all over Syracuse in a 30-7 victory Saturday. However, sophomore running back James Conner, who leads the ACC in rushing with 1600 yards, was injured in the first half and didn’t return. Freshman running back Chris James tallied 122 yards in his place, but Conner’s availability will be vital for the Panthers’ season finale against Miami in hopes of earning bowl eligibility.
Virginia (5-6, 3-4) – The Cavs dominated the Hurricanes in a 30-13 victory as they came one step closer to bowl eligibility Saturday. Led by 95 yards and a touchdown from senior running back Khalek Sheppard, the Cavs snapped a four game losing streak, and a win against rival Virginia Tech will get them a bowl game.
Virginia Tech (5-6, 2-5) – Coming off a win against Duke, the Hokies reached a low point in their up and down season, losing 6-3 against the worst team in the ACC in Wake Forest after failing to score a single point in regulation. However, they are somehow still in the hunt for a bowl game, which a victory over Virginia will earn them.
