- Florida State (4–0, 2–0 Atlantic Coast) ↔
No. 5 Florida State had its bye this past week coming off an emotional overtime victory at Clemson in Week Four. The Seminoles will return to Doak Campbell Stadium for the first time in nearly a month this Saturday. With many beatable opponents on the rest of the schedule, Florida State will prepare to avoid any stumbles. Barring a few duds, Mike Norvell should have the Seminoles playing in the ACC Championship game later this season.
Next Up: vs. Virginia Tech, Saturday, 3:30 p.m.
- North Carolina (4–0, 1–0) ↔
No. 14 North Carolina is one of four unbeaten teams in the ACC, and the Tar Heels rested up this past week on their bye. Head coach Mack Brown will try to reverse a strange trend for his Tar Heels in Week Six—since beginning his second tenure in Chapel Hill in 2019, North Carolina is 2–5 in games played after the bye week. Drake Maye and co. welcome Syracuse, who Clemson exposed in Week Five.
Next Up: vs. Syracuse, Saturday, 3:30 p.m.
- Miami (4–0) ↑1
Mario Cristobal’s squad has enjoyed an easy schedule to begin the year, having only been tested by Texas A&M. The No. 17 Hurricanes are 4–0 to start a season for the first time since 2017 when they won their first 10 games of the year. Quarterback Tyler Van Dyke has tossed 11 touchdown passes and just one interception through the first third of the season. Most importantly, he’s stayed healthy. The Hurricanes clash with their first ACC opponent in Week Six.
Next Up: vs. Georgia Tech, Saturday, 8 p.m.
- Louisville (5–0, 3–0) ↑2
No. 25 Louisville earned a gutsy comeback win in Raleigh last Friday to stay undefeated and creep into the AP Top 25 poll. The Cardinals trailed 10–0 at halftime and couldn’t get anything going offensively but stormed back for 13 unanswered points in the second half to secure the victory. While their schedule hasn’t been full of world-beaters, the Cardinals have capitalized on their favorable draw and established themselves as a formidable foe in the conference. Louisville’s biggest test of the year awaits in Week Six.
Next Up: vs. No. 10 Notre Dame, Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
- Duke (4–1, 1–0) ↓2
The No. 19 Blue Devils suffered their first setback of the season in Week Five’s showdown with Notre Dame. Duke was one defensive stop on 4th-and-16 away from knocking off the Fighting Irish, but Mike Elko’s defense couldn’t contain Sam Hartman, who scampered 17 yards for the crucial conversion, which set up the game-winning score. To make matters worse, Duke quarterback Riley Leonard went down with an ugly ankle injury after being sacked in the waning seconds. The Blue Devils will likely use their upcoming bye week to regroup and get healthy.
Next Up: vs. NC State, Oct. 14, 8 p.m.
- Clemson (3–2, 1–2) ↓1
Clemson took care of business against Syracuse this past Saturday to pick up its first ACC win of the season. The Tigers’ defense made Garrett Shrader look pedestrian, and the offense led by double digits for almost the entire game. Quarterback Cade Klubnik had one of his better performances of the year, throwing for 263 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Clemson is probably a better team than its record would indicate, and the Tigers return home this weekend for one more game before their bye week.
Next Up: vs. Wake Forest, Saturday, 3:30 p.m.
- Syracuse (4–1, 0–1) ↔
After lining up against significantly inferior teams the first four weeks of the season, the Orange ran into some stiff competition in Week Five. Syracuse never stood a chance against a motivated Clemson squad, and the 31–14 result was a dose of reality for the Syracuse faithful. The Orange turned the ball over three times and were held to just 286 total yards in the defeat. Things don’t get easier for Syracuse this weekend.
Next Up: at North Carolina, Saturday, 3:30 p.m.
- NC State (3–2, 1–1) ↑1
NC State was on the verge of winning its second consecutive ACC matchup until it was completely blanked in the second half of its tilt with Louisville. Despite leading 10–0 at halftime, the Wolfpack’s performance was underwhelming on the whole. Offensively, NC State couldn’t move the ball much, totaling just 201 total yards of offense. Ten penalties also plagued Dave Doeren’s group. The Wolfpack have been up and down all season, and it now faces a sneaky undefeated Marshall team.
Next Up: vs. Marshall, Saturday, 2 p.m.
- Wake Forest (3–1, 0–1) ↓1
Wake Forest will have its hands full this weekend when it travels to face Clemson. Dave Clawson has had two weeks to prepare for the Tigers and clean up some of the miscues from the Demon Deacons’ bad home loss to Georgia Tech. Wake Forest went toe to toe with Clemson last year in a 2OT shootout loss and can only hope to match that performance. The Demon Deacons are still largely a mystery on both sides of the ball with so many new faces leading the charge.
Next Up: at Clemson, Saturday, 3:30 p.m.
- Georgia Tech (2–3, 1–1) ↑1
After their solid victory in Winston-Salem, the Yellow Jackets suffered a terrible loss in Week Five at home to Bowling Green 38–27. Georgia Tech raced out to a 14–0 advantage before allowing 38 consecutive points, capped off by a pick six. Three turnovers compounded the offensive struggles for Georgia Tech, and the margin of defeat could’ve been a lot worse. Brent Key brings the Yellow Jackets to Miami Gardens in Week Six for a tough matchup with the undefeated Hurricanes.
Next Up: at Miami, Saturday, 8 p.m.
- Virginia Tech (2–3, 1–0) ↑1
The Hokies snapped a three-game losing streak with a convincing 38–21 victory over Pittsburgh this past Saturday. It was just the second time this season that Virginia Tech posted more than 20 points in a game. Quarterback Kyron Drones was spectacular, accounting for five total touchdowns and 269 total yards, and the Hokies dominated the time of possession all game. Virginia Tech has a much tougher opponent on the schedule in Week Six.
Next Up: at Florida State, Saturday, 3:30 p.m.
- Boston College (2–3, 1–2) ↑1
BC’s second-half comeback against Virginia this past Saturday might’ve saved Jeff Hafley’s job. After an inexplicable hail mary allowed by a blitzing Hafley defense, the Eagles headed to the locker room down 21–7 before furiously storming back to earn a 27–24 win. Liam Connor drilled the game-winning field goal from 42 yards out, and wide receiver Lewis Bond had another standout game. BC needs to fix the slow starts on offense in the weeks ahead to avoid playing catch-up all the time.
Next Up: at Army, Saturday, 12 p.m.
- Pitt (1–4, 0–2) ↓3
The nightmarish start to the season for the Panthers continued in Week Five when they got throttled by Virginia Tech. Pitt has received virtually no production from the quarterback position, to the extent that Pat Narduzzi has benched Phil Jurkovec in favor of Christian Veilleux this week. The Panthers converted on third down just twice in Blacksburg, Va. Pitt is desperately in need of a victory, and it will have a week to sort things out as the team rests on its bye this weekend.
Next Up: vs. Louisville, Oct. 14, 6:30 p.m.
- Virginia (0–5, 0–2) ↔
The Cavaliers remained the ACC’s only winless team after their 27–24 defeat to BC last weekend. Virginia was in position to win Saturday’s game but did nothing in the second half on either side of the ball. The Cavaliers looked limited on offense, and they couldn’t make any big plays on the defensive side of the ball either. Virginia has its best chance to get in the win column all season in Week Six when it hosts in-state FCS opponent William & Mary.
Next Up: vs. William & Mary, Saturday, 12 p.m.
