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Sadly or thankfully, whichever you prefer, UNC is not in action on the football field this weekend. To fill the Tar Heels-sized hole in your viewing schedule, let’s check out some of the interesting games around the conference this weekend.
#13 Virginia Tech (7-1, 3-1 ACC) at #9 Miami (7-0, 5-0 ACC)
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Saturday, November 4th at 8:00 PM ET on ABC
With the season heading towards the home stretch, it’s looking like this game might be the one that decides the Coastal Division. In fact, a Miami win puts the Hurricanes just one win away from clinching.
Miami is obviously a pretty good team considering what their record is. However, they didn’t looking unbeatable when UNC saw them up close last week. In fact, that’s pretty much what the Hurricanes have done all season. Their last four wins have all come by eight points or less.
On the other side, Virginia Tech comes in still with just one loss. Since losing to Clemson, the Hokies have won three straight, including the UNC plastering, which you may recall.
Miami is also playing this game a week before a matchup against Notre Dame. It wouldn’t be the first time a team slipped up with a possible marquee game on the horizon. Virginia Tech is more than good enough to make them do that.
#6 Clemson (7-1, 5-1 ACC) at #20 NC State (6-2, 4-0 ACC)
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Saturday, November 4th at 3:30 PM ET on ABC
On the other side of the conference is another game that could have major implications in a division race.
If Clemson can go into Raleigh and win, all they would need to do is beat a struggling Florida State team to wrap up the Atlantic Division. If NC State wins, however, they will go to 5-0 in ACC play in a division where every other team has at least two conference losses.
A year ago these teams met in Clemson and the Tigers won in overtime after State missed a potential game-winning last second field goal in regulation. Maybe they don’t lose the Pitt game if that field goal went in, but a loss there likely would have kept the Tigers out of the playoff last year.
A year later and NC State appears to be a better team than they were a year ago. Clemson also may not be quite as good as they were in 2016. So does that equate to another close game, maybe one where the Wolfpack come out on top? Or maybe Clemson are much more on alert and come away unscathed?
Wake Forest (5-3) at #5 Notre Dame (7-1)
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Saturday, November 4th at 3:30 PM ET on NBC
Following their win over Louisville in the Wakeyleaks, Wake Forest continues their revenge tour against the team that took their defensive coordinator.
This one they probably won’t win. Notre Dame come in ranked #5 and deservedly so. The defense led by said taken coach is allowing just 16 points per game. Wake Forest is a solid team and is on the verge of a second straight bowl bid. This is a nice stage for them to play on, but it’s probably a step too far. Or maybe they take down another team that has wronged them or something.