ACC Rooting Guide: Week 3

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I can’t wait to watch the Canes tomorrow night at Wake Forest. I heard there might be some rain and scattered thunderstorms. While that obviously affects both teams, I want to see a dry field for Miami’s athletes to run all over. Beyond our favorite team, there are some interesting matchups in the ACC this week.

Let’s do some rooting.

Syracuse @ Pitt – 9/17 at 7:30 PM EST, TV – ESPN

This would have been a juicier matchup if Syracuse didn’t blow it at home last week against Cal. Now, the Orange have to go on the road for a weeknight conference game in a hostile environment. On the other side, the Panthers are still undefeated after a gritty 12-7 win over Central Florida, I mean UCF. Pitt could be ranked after another win or two, making the ACC look better overall. I don’t care. I enjoy rooting against Pitt. Let’s go Syracuse.

UNC @ Clemson – 9/19 at 12:00 PM EST, TV – ESPN

The Tigers are turning to freshman quarterback Tait Reynolds for their first conference matchup of 2026. How much of a difference will it make? I have no idea. Clemson might just not be a very good football team. Having said all that, I doubt Belichick’s Tar Heels are a team that can go into Death Valley Lite and silence the crowd. Dabo will have his squad ready to take out their frustrations on a conference rival. Okay, I am reaching with the word rival. Trying to build some drama here. Let’s go Clemson.

Mercer @ Georgia Tech – 9/19 at 12:00 PM EST, TV – ACCN

I had to check my phone just to be sure the Yellow Jackets really are 0-2 this season. They did start with legit Power 4 non-conference opponents in Colorado and Tennessee, but the 2026 version of GT doesn’t look like past ones. Does Brent Key and Co. really miss former quarterback Haynes King that bad? Maybe. New QB Alberto Mendoza needs to build some confidence, hopefully he can make that happen against Mercer. Let’s go Georgia Tech.

NC State @ Vanderbilt – 9/19 at 12:45 PM EST, TV – SECN

The Wolfpack got hard fought win over Richmond last week, 73-0. They needed that after the 34-8 butt kicking from Virginia in Week 1. Vanderbilt is turning to five-star freshman quarterback Jared Curtis for his first start in college. I haven’t watched him play this season, so no in-depth QB analysis here, sorry. This would be a nice win for Dave Doeren’s team. Let’s go NC State.

Maine @ Boston College – 9/19 at 2:00 PM EST, TV – ACC Extra

BC is on fire! Bill O’Brien’s squad topped Rutgers last week in Chestnut Hill. One in a row for the Eagles! I am confident in saying they will keep it going this week against the Black Bears of Maine. Good for Maine. Solid team name. And that logo! It’s worth looking up. Anyway, back to some analysis: I think BC will win. Let’s go Boston College.

FSU @ #10 Alabama – 9/19 at 3:30 PM EST, TV – ABC

Oh boy. FSU’s athletic director Michael Alford was fired earlier this week. I have listened to several college football commentators give varying thoughts on when they think head coach Mike Norvell will be next to go. I don’t think it will be any time soon, even if the Seminoles get blown out at ‘Bama. A new coach can’t start until the offseason anyway. Keep Mike! Let’s go Alabama.

Matchup of the week

#16 SMU @ #23 Louisville – 9/19 at 3:30 PM EST, TV – ESPN

This is a big one people! I am very much looking forward to sitting on the couch and watching this game on Saturday afternoon. Mustangs QB Kevin Jennings has been on fire to start the season. Not to be outdone, new Louisville signal caller Lincoln Kienholz has also put up big numbers. I could see this game turning into a shootout. Looking way ahead, I would love to see Miami play SMU in the ACC Championship Game. Let’s go SMU.

Wagner @ Cal – 9/19 at 3:30 PM EST, TV – ACCN

The Golden Bears bounced back from a 21-point home loss to UCLA in Week 1 with a nice come-from-behind win on the road at Syracuse. Assuming Cal takes care of the Seahawks of Wagner, hold on, Wagner’s team name is the Seahawks? That’s awesome! Sorry. Assuming Cal takes care of Wagner, Clemson comes to town next. Even with the Tigers being down, that would be a huge win for Tosh Lupoi and his program. Let’s go Cal.

Stanford @ Duke – 9/19 at 4:00 PM EST, TV – CW

Will Stanford get some guys back from injuries after a bye week? I sure hope so. The Blue Devils are a quiet 2-0 with wins over Tulane and Illinois on the road last week. Impressive. Duke’s next four weeks after hosting Stanford: vs William & Mary, bye, @ GT, vs UNC. The Blue Devils could easily be 6-0 before their Friday night matchup at Virginia on Oct. 23rd. I hope it happens! Let’s go Duke.

West Virginia @ #25 Virginia – 9/19 at 7:30 PM EST, TV – ACCN

It’s nice to see an undefeated matchup of Power 4 schools. Rich Rod has the Mountaineers on the rise again. Well, kind of. They beat Coastal Carolina and Tennessee-Martin to start the year. Meh. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers of Virginia stomped NC State and Norfolk State at home. I bet Virginia coach Tony Elliott is loving that all the attention is on Miami, SMU, and Louisville. He can keep pumping up his players as underdogs all season long. I think it’ll keep working. Let’s go Virginia.

Maryland @ Virginia Tech – 9/19 at 7:30 PM EST, TV – FOX

Another matchup of undefeated Power 4 schools! (Checking their four combined wins). Yikes. Maryland beat Hampton and UConn. Yuck. Va Tech beat VMI and Old Dominion. Blah. Well, it’ll be nice to see what James Franklin’s first-year squad does against a real opponent. Let’s go Virginia Tech.

See you next week!

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