ACC Week Four Preview
No. 4 Clemson (2-0) makes its first road trip of the year, traveling to NC State (2-0) for a Thursday night matchup. The two teams combined for 110 points last season in the Tigers’ 62-48 victory over the Wolfpack. NC State has the opportunity to knock off a top-five team for the second-straight year after defeating No. 3 Florida State at home last season. The Tigers and Wolfpack were both idle in week three.
North Carolina (1-1) opens ACC play on the road at Georgia Tech (2-0, 1-0 ACC). The Tar Heels feature a strong passing attack led by senior QB Bryn Renner’s 533 passing yards, while the Yellow Jackets’ option offense has churned out 356.0 yards per game on the ground. GT has also found success through the air as QB Vad Lee tossed four touchdowns in their win over Duke, the first time a QB has accomplished the feat under Paul Johnson.
Pittsburgh (1-1, 0-1 ACC) travels to Duke (2-1, 0-1 ACC) for its first road ACC test. The Blue Devils opened ACC play with a 38-14 home loss to Georgia Tech, while Pittsburgh defeated New Mexico, 49-27. The two teams are meeting for the first time since 1976, with Pittsburgh holding a 9-8 lead in the overall series.
Undefeated Maryland (3-0) hosts border-rival West Virginia (2-1, 0-1 Big 12). The Terrapins are off to their best start since 2001 when they beat the Mountaineers to move to 4-0 on their way to an Orange Bowl bid. Maryland QB C.J. Brown has thrown for 833 yards and rushed for 257 yards, accounting for seven total touchdowns.
Virginia Tech (2-1) returns home for its final non-conference test of the season, hosting Marshall (2-1). The Hokies have rebounded from a week one loss to Alabama, defeating Western Carolina and East Carolina in successive weeks. Marshall fell on the road at Ohio last week, but has developed a potent offense, averaging 46.0 points per game.
Wake Forest (1-2, 0-1 ACC) heads to Army (1-2) after a home setback versus Louisiana-Monroe. The Demon Deacons were unable to complete a comeback, falling 21-19 to the Warhawks, while Army lost at home to No. 5 Stanford, 34-20.
Syracuse (1-2) welcomes Tulane (2-1, 1-0 C-USA) to the Carrier Dome for its final non-conference game of the season. The Orange shutout Wagner, 54-0, behind 265 passing yards and three touchdowns from QB Terrel Hunt. Tulane enters the game coming off a road win at Louisiana Tech to start C-USA play.
Three ACC teams host FCS squads in week four. Virginia (1-1) and Miami (2-0) return to action following bye weeks, hosting VMI (1-2) and Savannah State (1-2), respectively. No. 8 Florida State (3-0) and freshman QB Jameis Winston welcome Bethune-Cookman (3-0) to Tallahassee.