Predicting ACC football scores in Week 3: Early implications in SMU-Louisville clash
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The slate of ACC college football games in Week 3 has some major intrigue. All eyes should be on the top-25 showdown between No. 16 SMU at No. 23 Louisville, and with all the teams attempting to take down Miami — one of these two teams will remain undefeated in conference play.
Aside from that game, Florida State will try to make a statement against Alabama, and both Bill Belichick and Dabo Swinney are looking for a head-to-head win this weekend.
Here’s how each ACC game could play out this weekend.
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North Carolina vs. Clemson
It’s been two completely different starts for these programs. Bill Belichick and North Carolina got a massive Week 0 win over TCU and then rolled East Tennessee State last weekend. The Tar Heels’ defense has played really well, and Billy Edwards Jr. has gotten the job done behind center.
As for Clemson, the Tigers have scored 32 points in two weeks, and struggled to put Georgia Southern away in Week 2. The Tigers are turning to freshman Tait Reynolds at QB this week, and neither him or Christopher Vizzina has played particularly well.
It’s shocking to say, but North Carolina’s program is in a better place right now, and look for the Tar Heels to upset the Tigers in Week 3.
Final score: North Carolina 27, Clemson 20
Florida State vs. No. 10 Alabama
Alabama had its hands full with Kentucky for about a half, and then the Tide’s talent won out. Alabama ended up taking down the Wildcats, 45-17, and former five-star QB Keelon Russell continues to impress. Russell threw two interceptions in the win last weekend, but he regained his composure in his first away start and figured things out.
Who isn’t figuring things out is Mike Norvell and the Seminoles. Florida State is 1-1 and the Noles couldn’t take SMU’s mistakes to the bank in Week 1, and lost a game they could’ve won. Now, Norvell’s outlook looks bleak and a game at Alabama isn’t appetizing for an FSU team that struggles to slow down the opposition.
Final score: Alabama 41, Florida State 17
No. 16 SMU vs. No. 23 Louisville
This has the chance to be one of the better games in the country this weekend and Louisville is one or two plays away from beating Ole Miss and entering the game highly ranked and undefeated. But that’s not how the cards fell, but QB Lincoln Kienholz has impressed and looks good under Jeff Brohm.
SMU also looks good and the Mustangs have a dark-horse Heisman Trophy candidate in Kevin Jennings, if he can cut down on the turnovers. SMU beat FSU in Week 1, but this game is really going to test Jennings and Co. and there are some big ACC implications on the line.
Final score: Louisville 40, SMU 38
The rest of the games will be quick-hitter style
- Pitt 27, Syracuse 17
- No. 5 Miami 49, Wake Forest 20
- Georgia Tech 56, Mercer 10
- NC State 31, Vanderbilt 27
- Boston College 45, Maine 7
- Cal 51, Wagner 6
- Duke 34, Stanford 17
- No. 25 Virginia 41, West Virginia 27
- Virginia Tech 45, Maryland 41
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