DUKE AT GEORGIA TECH, NOON
The Blue Devils snapped their 25-game ACC losing streak last week by beating up the Virginia Cavaliers, 31-3, while the Yellow Jackets rested on a bye week following a big victory against SEC opponent Mississippi State on Sept. 20. Duke's defense will be put to the test as it faces the fifth-best rushing attack in the nation -- Tech averages 306 yards per game. Leading the Blue Devils' offense will be quarterback Thaddeus Lewis, who is currently second in the ACC in total offense. Look for the Yellow Jackets pass rush to be the key to the game, led by 6-foot-7-inch senior defensive end Michael Johnson and sophomore end Derrick Morgan.
BOSTON COLLEGE AT N.C. STATE., NOON
The Wolfpack followed up their upset of previously ranked East Carolina by getting thrashed at home by the South Florida Bulls, 41-10. Junior quarterback Harrison Beck played for the injured Russell Wilson and did everything but impress by completing only nine of 32 passes while racking up three interceptions. Boston College is coming off a 42-0 victory over Rhode Island and is led by the No.1 scoring defense in the ACC at 6.5 points per game. Neither team has anything resembling a potent offense, but look for Boston College's rushing attack to take advantage of the Wolfpack's weak rush defense -- N.C. State ranks last in the conference in this category.
FLORIDA STATE AT MIAMI (FL.), 3:30 P.M.
Years ago these programs dominated their separate conferences, but now both teams are looking to avoid starting 0-2 in ACC play. The Hurricanes were unable to defeat North Carolina last week despite the Tar Heels being forced to ride their third-team quarterback, while the Seminoles defeated the Colorado Buffalos 39-21. Both teams are loaded with athletes on defense, so look for each to struggle on the other side under young quarterbacks. The Seminoles will try to establish their running game against the Hurricane's top ACC rush defense, which allows just 65 yards per game. Sophomore Seminoles quarterback Christian Ponder and Miami freshman quarterback Robert Marve must manage to convert first downs through the air in order to come away with a win.
NO. 24 CONNECTICUT AT NORTH CAROLINA, 7 P.M.
Great news for UConn fans -- their team is back in the top 25 rankings for the second time in school history. The bad news is that the Huskies will be without senior starting quarterback Tyler Lorenzen for at least six weeks because of a broken foot. Sophomore Zach Frazer will take the reins for the Huskies, while junior Cameron Sexton will start this week for the Tar Heels as T.J. Yates is still out with an injury. Last week, in Sexton's first action of the season, the team was able to rally to a win over Miami by passing for 242 yards and two touchdowns. He should be able to continue his initial success with the help of two stud receivers in Brandon Tate and Hakeem Nicks. Both currently sit atop the leader board in the ACC in receiving yards this season.
MARYLAND AT VIRGINIA, 7 P.M.
The Terrapins left Clemson Tiger fans in tears last weekend when they won in Death Valley, 20-17. They will look to do the same to Cavalier fans, but won't succeed since they've emptied their tank for the season. UVa is currently sporting the worst offense in the ACC -- scoring an average of nine points per game. Terrapin running back Da'Rel Scott is the ACC rushing leader and will only look to make matters worse for the Cavalier defense. Maryland hopes to build off its momentum from last week's victory and commence ACC play at 2-0.
You might be interested in...- Boston College aims to revise script, earn first BCS bid
- Battle in the Bay: Hokies, Eagles again vie for ACC crown
- Tech snags Thomas, one of nation's top wideouts
