ACC This Week: Clemson Looks to Stay in First Place

CLEMSON – Each week The Clemson Insider dives into the Atlantic Coast Conference as a whole to go over the weekend’s matchups.

With only six ACC games this week a lot of teams can make some moves in the conference standings. Pitt is looking to remain undefeated against a Cal program that has shown glimpses of greatness throughout the season.

Virginia looks to start 5-1 with a victory over Louisville after a big win last weekend against Boston College. The 10 ^th -ranked Clemson Tigers are on the road for the second weekend in a row and are looking to stay in first place in the ACC Standings.

Saturday

Georgia Tech (4-2, 2-2 ACC) at North Carolina (3-3, 0-2 ACC) Noon ET; The CW

Latest Line: GT -5

Notes: Georgia Tech has won five of the last six meetings against North Carolina. The Yellow Jackets came from behind to knock off previously unbeaten Duke, 24-14, in Atlanta last week. GT rushed for a season-high 245 yards and was led by 128 yards from Jamal Haynes, which matched his career high. The Tar Heels are the only FBS program with a 100+ yard rusher in each of its first six games. Omarion Hampton leads the ACC with 764 rushing yards, which is third nationally.

Stanford (2-3, 1-2 ACC) at No. 11 Notre Dame (4-1) 3:30 p.m. ET; NBC & Peacock

Latest Line: ND -23

Notes: Stanford looks to snap a two-game losing streak when it heads to South Bend, Indiana. The Cardinal have dropped back-to-back games to Clemson and Virginia Tech. The Cardinal and Fighting Irish have split their last 10 meetings as the teams battle for the Legends Trophy. Without starting QB Ashton Daniels, Stanford struggled through the air against VT. The Cardinal finished with 122 passing yards while running back Micah Ford threw for a touchdown.

California (3-2, 0-2 ACC) at No. 22 Pitt (5-0, 1-0 ACC) 3:30 p.m. ET; ESPN

Latest Line: PITT -3.5

Notes: This will be the first meeting between Cal and Pitt since Oct. 1, 1966. Pitt leads the all-time series 3-2. Pitt QB Eli Holstein threw for a Pitt freshman record 381 yards and three touchdowns against North Carolina. Holstein ranks third in the ACC in passing yards (1,567) and touchdowns (15). Cal leads the country with 11 interceptions on the season. Williams also leads all of FBS football with five interceptions

No. 10 Clemson (4-1, 3-0 ACC) at Wake Forest (2-3, 1-1 ACC) Noon ET; ESPN

Latest Line: CLEM -20

Notes: Clemson is looking to win its 16 ^th straight game in the series, including eight in a row in Winston-Salem, N.C. Clemson’s Dabo Swinney became the ACC’s all-time wins leader with a 29-13 victory over Florida State. The win was No. 174 of Swinney’s career, passing the late Bobby Bowden and his 173 wins as an ACC head coach at Florida State. Phil Mafah ran for 154 yards in the Tigers’ win at FSU. Mafah ranks fifth in the ACC this season with 496 yards. Clemson’s Cade Klubnik ranks ninth in the FBS with 14 passing touchdowns this season. His favorite target, Antonio Williams, has hauled in four touchdowns.

Louisville (3-2, 1-1 ACC) at Virginia (4-1, 2-0 ACC) 3:30 p.m. ET; ACC Network

Latest Line: LOU -7.5

Notes: Louisville has won two straight meetings against Virginia and holds a 7-5 advantage in the all-time series. The Cardinals look to snap a two-game skid after falling to Notre Dame and SMU. Louisville had a 300-yard passer, 100-yard rusher and 100-yard receiver for the first time since Sept. 23, 2023, in the loss to SMU. Virginia, which was picked 16th in the ACC Preseason Poll, is off to a 2-0 start in league play for the first time since 2019. The Cavaliers erased a 14-point deficit to beat Boston College last week. It’s the second 14-point come-from-behind victory of the season for UVA, both coming in ACC play.

Syracuse (4-1, 1-1 ACC) at NC State (3-3, 0-2 ACC) 8 p.m. ET; ACC Network

Latest Line: SYR -4.5

Notes: Syracuse won the last meeting against NC State, snapping a three-game winning streak for the Wolfpack. NC State holds a 13-3 lead in the all-time series. Syracuse has won two games over ranked opponents this season (No. 23 Georgia Tech, No. 25 UNLV) for the first time since 2001. After replacing an injured Grayson McCall, freshman quarterback CJ Bailey completed 28-of-42 passes for 272 yards and two touchdowns for the Wolfpack last week. KC Concepcion ranks second in the ACC in receptions per game (6.2) and fifth in touchdown receptions (4).