David M. Hale 9y

ACC viewer's guide: Week 10

The biggest game of the week in the ACC was played Thursday, but the Saturday slate offers some intrigue, too. Here's what to watch for.

Noon

No. 24 Duke at Pittsburgh, ESPNU, #DUKEvsPITT: They're not getting much national respect, but the Blue Devils are once again riding high and poised to take the ACC Coastal Division for the second straight season. In fact, Duke has won 14 of its past 15 regular-season games, and it will be out for some revenge against Pitt after the Panthers outlasted the Blue Devils in a 58-55 shootout a year ago. Pitt's offense hasn't looked nearly so sharp this season, but Duke's defense has allowed at least 200 rushing yards to four of its past five opponents, which could be good news for James Conner and the Pitt ground game.

12:30 p.m.

Boston College at Virginia Tech, ESPN3, #BCvsVT: The matchup looks bad for the Hokies. No Power 5 team has surrendered more rushing yards to quarterbacks than Virginia Tech. No Power 5 quarterback has rushed for more yards than Boston College's Tyler Murphy. If Tech can't find a way to slow Murphy, it figures to be another long day, and questions about the program's direction will get only louder. For BC, however, a win would make the Eagles bowl eligible for the second straight season, a huge accomplishment for Steve Addazio and his staff that took over a program that had won just six games total in the preceding two years.

North Carolina at Miami, ESPN3, #UNCvsMIA: If Duke is the Coastal Division favorite right now, this game may determine the Blue Devils' prime challenger. Miami already beat Duke head-to-head, and Brad Kaaya, Duke Johnson and the offense appear to be getting stronger as the season goes along. North Carolina was a disaster to open the year for the second straight season, but just as it did in 2013, it appears to have righted the ship at the midpoint. If the Tar Heels can win for the third straight game -- this time against an improving Miami -- they'll have clearly made the leap from major disappointment to serious contender for a division title.

3 p.m.

NC State at Syracuse, ESPN3, #NCSUvsCUSE: If Dave Doeren is going to put an end to NC State's 11-game conference losing streak, this would be the week to do it. The Wolfpack are coming off a bye and will get a handful of defensive contributors back from a suspension. Syracuse will be playing with freshman A.J. Long at QB for the third straight week, and he failed to find the end zone in the Orange's last game against Clemson. Both teams likely need a win to keep any legitimate hopes of a bowl game alive, but for Doeren and NC State, it's simply a matter of getting the monkey off their backs in ACC play.

3:30 p.m.

Virginia at Georgia Tech, ESPNU, #UVAvsGT: There's no doubt Virginia is a much improved team this season, but if the Hoos want to make a bowl game -- and if Mike London wants to keep his job -- winning in Atlanta might be a requirement. Florida State and Miami remain on the schedule before a regular-season finale against Virginia Tech, a team Virginia has lost to 14 of the last 15 years. The Hoos need two more wins, and one likely needs to come against Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets, meanwhile, still have a legitimate shot at winning the Coastal, but they can't afford another slip up. UVA's run defense is ranked No. 9 in the nation, which means it should provide a serious test for Tech.

^ Back to Top ^