The ACC finished its first week of play with a 7-3 record against non-conference foes. Maryland and Miami are off this week after the two teams finished a thriller on Monday night with the Terrapins taking a 32-24 win at home. This week, the ACC’s only league game features North Carolina State taking on Wake Forest in Raleigh, N.C. Here is an overview of each ACC team’s matchup this week.
12:30 p.m.
- Rutgers (1-0, 0-0 Big East) at North Carolina (1-0, 0-0 ACC)
Both Rutgers and North Carolina began their 2011 campaigns with convincing victories over FCS opponents. However, Rutgers will have its hands full on Saturday against North Carolina’s stifling defense, which held James Madison to 210 total yards. The Tar Heels’ Brynn Renner set an ACC record for highest single-game completion percentage (95.7) in his first start after completing 22 of 23 attempts for 277 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. These two teams met last year, with UNC pulling out a 17-13 victory.
Prediction: North Carolina 28, Rutgers 10
3:30 p.m.
- No. 6 Stanford (1-0, 0-0 PAC-12) at Duke (0-1, 0-0 ACC)
The Blue Devils fell to FCS opponent Richmond last week 23-21 for the third time in the last six seasons, while Stanford cruised to a 57-3 win over San Jose State. Stanford’s Heisman candidate, quarterback Andrew Luck, should have a field day against Duke’s porous defense and put up video-game numbers. If the Blue Devils want any chance against the Cardinals they’ll need quarterback Sean Renfree to step up and compensate for the defense’s shortcomings.
Prediction: Stanford 48, Duke 17
3:30 p.m.
- North Carolina State (1-0, 0-0 ACC) at Wake Forest (1-0, 0-0 ACC)
Wake Forest lost a heartbreaker to Syracuse in their opener, 36-29 in overtime, erasing what was an impressive game up to that point. NC State needed all four quarters to comfortably put away its first-week opponent, Liberty, 43-21. Wake Forest’s quarterback Tanner Price is expected to play after injuring his knee in the fourth quarter against the Orange, and hopes to put up similar numbers to the 289 yards and three touchdowns he three before the injury. Last year, NC State rolled to an easy victory 38-3 at home, but with Wake’s offense clicking, expect a much closer contest.
Prediction: NC State 27, Wake Forest 21
3:30 p.m.
- Wofford (1-0, 0-0 Southern) at Clemson (1-0, 0-0 ACC)
After being up by only seven in the fourth quarter against Troy, Clemson closed out the game with 17 unanswered points en route to a 43-19 victory. Wofford won in a nail biter after Mitch Allen threw a touchdown pass to Jeff Ashley with 51 seconds remaining to seal a season opening win, 35-28 over Presbyterian.
Clemson’s speed will be a tough test for Wofford, as true freshmen Mike Bellamy and Sammy Watkins both impressed in their debut. Additionally, quarterback Tajh Boyd officially took over the reins of the Tigers’ offense and threw for 264 yards with three touchdowns and one interception.
Prediction: Clemson 56, Wofford 10
6 p.m.
- Charleston Southern (0-1, 0-0 Big South) at Florida State (1-0, 0-0, ACC)
Florida State began its road back to the ACC Championship after blanking Louisiana-Monroe 34-0 in its opener. Charleston-Southern, on the other hand, came out on the opposite side of a shutout, losing 62-0 to UCF.
The Seminoles’ defense came to play and allowed just 191 total yards. In addition, quarterback E.J. Manuel found his stride in his first full season as the team’s starter, throwing for 252 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Florida State has one more warm-up game before their highly-anticipated matchup against No. 1 Oklahoma.
Prediction: Florida State 55, Charleston Southern 3
7 p.m.
- Virginia (1-0, 0-0 ACC) at Indiana (0-1, 0-0 Big Ten)
Virginia came out strong in its opener, downing Thomas Jefferson’s alma mater William & Mary 40-3. Indiana did not get off to a good start in 2011, losing 27-20 against Ball State. The Hoosiers gave up 210 yards rushing, and will have their hands full against U.Va.’s rushing attack. The Cavaliers gained 240 total yards on the ground, led by freshmen Kevin Parks and Clifton Richardson, who tallied a combined 171 yards and three touchdowns of their own. New starting quarterback Michael Rocco looked impressive in his debut for the Cavaliers, completing 21 of 29 passes for 174 yards and not turning the ball over.
Prediction: Virginia 31, Indiana 20
7 p.m.
A version of this article appeared in the Sep 9 issue of the Collegiate Times.
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