ACC Week Six Preview
Undefeated teams square off in Tallahassee as Maryland (4-0) visits No. 8 Florida State (4-0, 2-0 ACC). The Terps have gotten off to a strong start, outscoring opponents by an average score of 40-10, including a 37-0 shutout of West Virginia two weeks ago. Maryland will face its toughest test yet in QB Jameis Winston and the high-powered Seminoles offense. FSU has scored at least 40 points in every game, led by Winston’s 12 touchdown passes and 73.6% completion percentage. The Seminoles have won 21 of 23 against Maryland, including a perfect record at home.
Syracuse (2-2) welcomes the ACC’s highest ranked team, No. 4 Clemson (4-0, 2-0 ACC), to the Carrier Dome for its first-ever ACC conference game. The Orange have lost seven of their last eight games against ACC foes, but did defeat Clemson in their only meeting in the 1996 Gator Bowl. Clemson blew past Wake Forest, 56-7, to move to 2-0 in the ACC last weekend. Syracuse has defeated Wagner and Tulane by a combined score of 106-17 to even their record at 2-2.
Georgia Tech (3-1, 2-1 ACC) visits ACC Coastal Division rival, No. 14 Miami (4-0). The Yellow Jackets lost their first game of the season last Thursday at home against Virginia Tech, while the Hurricanes defeated South Florida to complete a perfect non-conference slate. Miami has won four-straight against Georgia Tech, its longest winning streak in the series.
Virginia Tech (4-1, 1-0 ACC) returns home to face North Carolina (1-3, 0-1 ACC) after a crucial road win at Georgia Tech in week five. The Hokies held the Yellow Jackets to a season-low 10 points and 129 rushing yards in the victory. North Carolina fell behind early at home to East Carolina and could not catch up, dropping a 55-31 decision to the Pirates. The Tar Heels defeated Virginia Tech last year in Chapel Hill, 48-34.
Wake Forest (2-3, 0-2 ACC) plays its first home ACC game of the season, hosting NC State (3-1, 0-1 ACC). Both teams are winless in ACC play, but each has fallen to the ACC’s top-ranked team, Clemson. Wake Forest lost, 56-7, at Clemson this past weekend, while NC State hung tight with the Tigers before falling, 26-14, at home in week four. The Demon Deacons and Wolfpack have alternated wins in their past six meetings with NC State claiming the most recent win in 2012.
Virginia (2-2, 0-1 ACC) welcomes Ball State (4-1, 2-0 MAC) to Charlottesville for its final non-conference game of the season. The Cavaliers only surrendered 199 yards to Pittsburgh last weekend, but scored just three points in a 14-3 defeat on the road. Ball State has the 10th best passing attack in the nation, averaging 336 yards through the air on way to a 4-1 start.
Boston College (2-2, 1-1 ACC) hosts Army (2-3) to round out week six action. BC started strong in week five against Florida State, but could not complete the upset bid, falling 48-34 to the Seminoles. This week, the Eagles face an Army squad coming off a win against Louisiana Tech. Army has faced one other ACC team this season, losing to Wake Forest, 25-11, in week four.