With the SEC’s most anticipated games already released, we move on to the ACC.
While the whole season is highly anticipated, here at FBSchedules.com we are going a little more in depth. In this seven-part series, you’ll get ten of the most anticipated games from each conference, plus the most anticipated out-of-conference games.
With the addition of Pittsburgh, Syracuse and Notre Dame — sort of, anyway — the ACC has improved it’s conference athletically. Pitt and Syracuse look to adapt to ACC play as we count down our most anticipated games of the 2013 ACC schedule.
Florida State Seminoles at Pittsburgh Panthers
Monday, Sept. 2, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN
I think this might end up being one of the best games of the ACC season when all is said and done. Pittsburgh will definitely be prepared for their debut game in the ACC against a team like Florida State. Opening weekend, favored team on the road, on Monday? I’m all for Monday night college football.
Virginia Tech Hokies at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Thursday, Sept. 26, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Virginia Tech should be a viable contender in the Atlantic division this year with Logan Thomas at the helm, and these Thursday night prime-time games always play a big role in who represents the division in Charlotte. The Yellow Jackets opened in Lane Stadium last year, and lost by 3. Paul Johnson will be trying to beat the Hokies for the first time since ’09. Look for this to be a slug fest.
Clemson Tigers at Syracuse Orange
Saturday, Oct. 5, Time/TV TBA
This game is obvious. Is the newcomer going to compete for the division title right off the bat, or will it take them a few years to get up to the level of the ACC elite? Having Clemson away from home should help, though I’m assuming Clemson’s athletes will just thrive on turf.
Miami Hurricanes at North Carolina Tar Heels
Thursday, Oct. 17, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
North Carolina is in the same “never been to the ACC title game” boat that Miami is sailing. If either one wants to make a push this year, this one could decide who breaks the barrier.
Florida State Seminoles at Clemson Tigers
Saturday, Oct. 19, Time/TV TBA
You missed a great game if you didn’t watch this one last year. Florida State prevailed, but Clemson gave them everything they had. Howard’s Rock — what’s left of it anyway — should fuel the Tigers in the should be Atlantic Division championship game.
Miami Hurricanes at Florida State Seminoles
Saturday, Nov. 2, Time/TV TBA
There is a lot of hype behind these two teams coming into the year, and a lot of it is on the offensive side of the ball. Jameis Winston for the Noles’ and the entire offense for the Hurricanes are all the buzz in Florida. The last time the ‘Canes visited Tallahassee they only lost by 4; they know they can compete with the ‘Noles. This one should be high scoring, as long as both quarterbacks play like they have shown.
Virginia Tech Hokies at Miami Hurricanes
Saturday, Nov. 9, Time/TV TBA
Miami is trying to become the first team other than Virginia Tech or Georgia Tech to represent the Coastal division since the ACC Championship was created. They’ll have to match last year’s effort in which they bested the Hokies in Miami.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Clemson Tigers
Thursday, Nov. 14, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
With Clemson playing in an environment like Death Valley, you would expect them to get a few more prime time games. This cross-divisional match up gives you that. Again, Paul Johnson will have his Yellow Jackets in the mix, and Tajh Boyd and company will have national title hopes. There’s more riding on this game than meets the eye.
Pittsburgh Panthers at Syracuse Orange
Saturday, Nov. 23, Time/TV TBA
Newcomers to a conference always means anticipation. These two teams have a history, the most recent chapter being a one point win in the Carrier Dome for the Orange last year. Let’s take the roof off and add some snow. That’s good football.
Miami Hurricanes at Pittsburgh Panthers
Friday, Nov. 29, Time TBA, ABC/ESPN/2
Once again, we have a newcomer coming in against a team that should be at the top of the ACC standings. Though the Syracuse-Clemson match-up puts a former conference champion against a newcomer under the new format, Miami is better athletically than almost any team that Pitt played in the Big East. Pittsburgh was lucky enough to get Florida State and Miami at home, that’s not a big gig.
Honorable Mentions
- NC State Wolfpack at Florida State Seminoles
Saturday, Oct. 26, Time/TV TBA - North Carolina Tar Heels at NC State Wolfpack
Saturday, Nov. 2, Time/TV TBA - Miami Hurricanes at Duke Blue Devils
Saturday, Nov. 16, Time/TV TBA - Duke Blue Devils at North Carolina Tar Heels
Saturday, Nov. 30, Time/TV TBA - Virginia Tech Hokies at Virginia Cavaliers
Saturday, Nov. 30, Time/TV TBA
Clayton Tinkle is a contributor to FBSchedules.com.