Week 9 ACC & Big 12 Preview: TCU Hosts West Virginia, Temple Hosts Notre Dame
In the ninth week of the college football season, members of the Florida Citrus Sports Team Selection Committee are making visits throughout ACC and Big 12 country, meeting with fans across both conferences in advance of the Russell Athletic Bowl on December 29th.
West Virginia at #5 TCU – Thursday at 7:30 p.m. on FOX Sports 1
The Horned Frogs (7-0, 4-0 Big 12) look to extend their 15-game winning streak, second best in FBS. The Mountaineers (3-3, 0-3 Big 12) have lost their last three games, but each of their three Big 12 meetings with TCU have been decided on the game’s final play, including two in overtime.
#12 Oklahoma State at Texas Tech – 3:30 p.m. on ESPN
The Cowboys (7-0, 4-0 Big 12) are one of only four teams from Power Five conferences who rank in the top 25 nationally in both scoring offense and scoring defense, and have a six-game winning streak against the Red Raiders (5-3, 2-3 Big 12).
#9 Notre Dame at #21 Temple – 8:00 p.m. on ABC
The Fighting Irish (6-1) make their first trip to Philadelphia in 22 years to face off against the Owls (7-0, 4-0 AAC), who look to improve to 8-0 for the first time in program history.
North Carolina at #23 Pittsburgh – Thursday at 7:00 p.m. on ESPN
The Panthers (6-1, 4-0 ACC) are ranked 16th nationally in total defense, holding opponents to 308 yards/game. The Tar Heels (6-1, 3-0 ACC) feature the most productive offense in the ACC (24th in FBS), rolling to 474 yards/game.
Louisville at Wake Forest – Friday at 7:00 p.m. on ESPN2
The Cardinals (3-4, 2-2 ACC) recorded a season-best 14 tackles for loss last week against Boston College, holding the 200-plus yards/game rushing offense to negative yardage. The Demon Deacons (3-5, 1-4 ACC) have been held to 17 points or less in their last four games.
Miami at #22 Duke – 7:00 p.m. on ESPNU
The Blue Devils (6-1, 3-0 ACC) have won eight straight games in the month of October, dating back to 2013. The Hurricanes (4-3, 1-2 ACC) hold a 10-2 all-time advantage over Duke, including five of six victories in Durham.
Syracuse at #17 Florida State – 12:00 p.m. on ABC
The Orange (3-4, 1-2 ACC) face their second straight ranked opponent as the Seminoles (6-1, 4-1 ACC) look to extend their 18-game home winning streak which includes 14 games against ACC opponents.
#3 Clemson at NC State – 3:30 p.m. on ABC/ESPN2
The Tigers (7-0, 4-0 ACC) have won the last three games in their series with the Wolfpack (5-2, 1-2 ACC), including 10 of the last 11. NC State’s 37-13 victory in 2011 was Clemson’s last loss to an unranked opponent.
Here are the rest of the ACC and Big 12 games:
Virginia Tech (3-5, 1-3 ACC) at Boston College (3-5, 0-5 ACC) – 12:30 p.m. on ESPN 3
Georgia Tech (3-5, 1-4 ACC) at Virginia (2-5, 1-2 ACC) – 3:00 p.m. on ESPN 3
#14 Oklahoma (6-1, 3-1 Big 12) at Kansas (0-7, 0-4 Big 12) – 3:30 p.m. on FOX Sports 1
Texas (3-4, 2-2 Big 12) at Iowa State – 7:00 p.m. on FOX Sports 1
All times listed are Eastern Time Zone (ET), and all games are on Saturday unless otherwise listed.