ACC Rooting Guide: Week 2

The Atlantic Coast Conference lost both its big matchups against Southeastern Conference teams in Week 1: Clemson got smoked at LSU and Louisville came up just short against Ole Miss in Nashville. What a game that was though. To finish the week, FSU somehow couldn’t figure out how to get the lights to work at their newly renovated stadium, then proceeded to lose to an SMU team that did everything it possibly could to give the game away. Good times in Tallahassee. But hey, it’s on to Week two!

Let’s do some rooting.

Villanova @ #24 Louisville – 9/11 at 7:00 PM EST, TV – ACCN

New Cardinals quarterback Lincoln Kienholz started off slow against Ole Miss, but eventually looked like yet another signal caller that will thrive under the tutelage of head coach Jeff Brohm. On the other side, Villanova is already 1-1, with a season-opening loss to William & Mary, followed by a one-point win over Bucknell, fascinating I know. I think the Cardinals will take care of business the week before hosting SMU. Let’s go Louisville.

Richmond @ NC State – 9/11 at 8:00 PM EST, TV – ESPNU

The Wolfpack looked like doo-doo against Virginia in Week 0. With all the former Canes on the roster, I feel like I should be pulling for NC State every week. The Spiders come in at 2-0, with wins over Bucknell and Howard. I would hope CJ Bailey and Co. can handle Richmond tomorrow night. Let’s go NC State.

Norfolk State @ #25 Virginia – 9/11 at 7:00 PM EST, TV – ACC Extra

The Hoos are ranked and ready to start their climb up the poll. They should be 4-0 in a few weeks when they travel to Tallahassee with eyes on a second straight win over the Seminoles. I think Virginia, SMU, and Louisville will duke it out to determine the second-best team in the ACC this season. Let’s go Virginia.

Rutgers @ Boston College – 9/11 at 7:30 PM EST, TV – ESPN2

BC is actually favored in this matchup. I guess that’s what happens when you lose to UMass at home to start the year. Oh, in case you didn’t know, UMass did not win a single game last season. It’s one of the worst FBS football programs of the last twenty years. That’s a devastating defeat for Rutgers coach Greg Schiano. Bill O’Brien’s squad can’t lose to the team that lost to UMass! Let’s go BC.

East Tennessee State @ UNC – 9/12 at 12:00 PM EST, TV – ACCN

I have heard some college football commentators saying UNC might not be that bad and people should have more faith in Bill Belichick. I don’t see it. The Tar Heels beat a TCU team in Dublin that might not be that good. The Buccaneers of East Tennessee State might not pose much of a threat on Saturday, but UNC travels to Death Valley Lite next week. Dabo and Clemson are going to want to crush their first conference opponent. That’s the game that will make or break Belichick’s season in Chapel Hill. I hope they show up 2-0. Let’s go UNC.

Old Dominion @ Virginia Tech – 9/12 at 12:00 PM EST, TV – CW

Facing the pesky Monarchs is the first test for James Franklin at Virginia Tech. The Hokies don’t play Miami until November. Looking at their schedule, there’s no way they are undefeated by then. The comedy of Franklin losing to a lesser-talented rival program is too good to pass up. Let’s go Old Dominion.

Wake Forest @ Purdue – 9/12 at 12:00 PM EST, TV – FS1

I know I said I was going to watch some of the Wake game last week before the Georgia Tech Colorado game, but I didn’t. I have no idea how good the Demon Deacons looked in their win over Akron. I do know I want them to be 2-0 when they host Miami next Friday night. I want the Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium (I had to look that up) to be as loud as possible for the Canes. Let’s go Wake Forest.

UCF @ Pitt – 9/12 at 3:30 PM EST, TV – ESPN2

If you want to annoy a UCF fan, refer to the team as the Central Florida Golden Knights. It will drive the person insane. I am allowed to do it as I am a Central Flo, er UCF, graduate. I don’t need an extra reason to root against Pitt, but playing against my alma mater makes it especially easy. Let’s go UCF.

Cal @ Syracuse – 9/12 at 3:30 PM EST, TV – ACCN

I saw Cal go up 7-0 on UCLA early in the first quarter last week and thought they would take care of business at home. Nope. The Golden Bears ended up losing by 21 points. Not great. Syracuse crushed New Hampshire last week, with quarterback Steve Angeli looking good in his return from a torn Achilles. Northern California to Upstate New York is a rough flight. Miami doesn’t play either of these teams, so I tend to care even less. Let’s go Cal.

Duke @ Illinois – 9/12 at 3:30 PM EST, TV – FS1

The Blue Devils lost to the Fighting Illini in Durham last year, 45-19. Former Duke QB Darian Mensah went 23-34 for 334 yards, with two touchdowns and one interception. Man, I am glad he plays for Miami now. I imagine Blue Devils coach Manny Diaz will be looking for some revenge on the road this season. I have to root for an ACC team for a Big Ten team. Let’s go Duke.

UC Davis @ #17 SMU – 9/12 at 4:00 PM EST, TV – ACC Extra

Rhett Lashlee’s squad did everything they could to lose at FSU on Labor Day night. It was insane. I couldn’t believe how long the Seminoles hung around. Still, SMU starts the season with a conference win on the road. That has to feel good. The Mustangs should cruise at home this weekend before the big matchup at Louisville next Saturday at 3:30 EST. Let’s go SMU.

Matchup of the week

#18 Tennessee @ Georgia Tech – 9/12 at 7:00 PM EST, TV – ESPN

I did not think the Yellow Jackets would lose at home to Colorado. I may have underestimated how much GT misses Haynes King at quarterback. New starter Alberto Mendoza did not look good. He better have had a great week-plus of practice before facing an athletic SEC defense. Meanwhile, Tennessee smoked Furman last week, so who knows how good the Volunteers are this season. Another ACC vs SEC matchup. Come on Brent Key! Coach ‘em up! Let’s go Georgia Tech.

Georgia Southern @ Clemson – 9/12 at 7:30 PM EST, TV – ACCN

I heard a portion of Dabo’s weekly press conference on Josh Pate’s show earlier this week. Dabo got mad at a reporter for asking if he regrets the way he constructed his roster for this season. Dabo proceeded to call the reporter a “gotcha guy” and someone who wants to “create controversy”. Um..what? As Josh Pate said in response to the clip: “I think Dabo is on tilt.” Let’s go Clemson.

See you next week!