Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Top 5 ACC football matchups for 2009

The Nov. 28 rematch of N.C. State's 41-10 thrashing of North Carolina is one to watch for 2009.


Basketball season isn't even over yet, and spring practice is still a month away, but the ACC schedule came out last week, which means it isn't too early to start talking about football.

Despite the overflow of games against Division I-AA -- sorry, FCS -- opponents (Duke, North Carolina and N.C. State will play two each, Wake Forest one) there are still plenty of intriguing games on next season's schedule -- the top five:

5. BOSTON COLLEGE AT NOTRE DAME, OCT. 24: The Eagles had an offseason of unexpected coaching turmoil, while the Irish expected coaching turmoil but had none. This battle of Catholic football powers always means something.

4. CLEMSON AT GEORGIA TECH, SEPT. 10: Two questions will be answered, in part, this one: Can Clemson bounce back from a miserable season? And: Will Georgia Tech's option offense work a second time through the ACC?

3. MIAMI AT FLORIDA STATE, SEPT. 7: For the third time in four years, Florida State and Miami will open the season against each other on Labor Day. Both programs may be a shadow of their former selves, but they will both be undefeated for this one.

2. NORTH CAROLINA AT N.C. STATE, NOV. 28: Two programs on the upswing close out the season against each other after last fall's Wolfpack win in Chapel Hill. If both teams are improved, there could be a lot on the line.

1. VIRGINIA TECH VS. ALABAMA IN ATLANTA, SEPT. 5: Division favorite Clemson was exposed by the Crimson Tide to open last season, and the ACC spent the rest of the year repairing its reputation. The Hokies have a chance to salvage some ACC pride.

Is there another game on the schedule that catches your eye? Add your choices below.
-- Luke DeCock

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

No love for Virginia Tech at East Carolina Thursday Nov.5? After a great game in Charlotte last year, I would think some folks might want to watch those two on a Thursday night ESPN game.

Anonymous said...

Stanford at Wake September 12 should be interesting, as should FSU at Wake on November 14, as Wake tries to win its 4th straight against the Seminoles.

MoBetta said...

You left out a HUGE game.. Miami comes to Chapel Hill in a re-match of the game that Carolina stole with a interception in the end zone with the last seconds ticking off the clock...

Anonymous said...

There will be a number of big games in the ACC next season but the back-to-back Thursday night games for UNC might be something to keep an eye on. Florida State at Chapel Hill on October 22 and UNC at Virginia Tech on October 29. If everyone plays to their potential, those two games could be huge with lots of exposure for the ACC.

Unknown said...

I love it - Clemson is a pedestrian 4-4 in the ACC, loses 3 of those by 4 points or less, goes to a Jan. 1 bowl, and beats its rival for the 8th time in 10 years - but it's a 'miserable' season. OK - then how bad must have been the season for the Gamecocks and Steve Spurrier. Face it: regardless the overhype of the SE conference, they'll never have a decent program in Columbia., Clemson had to change coaches mid-season for Spurrier to even be able to recruit...

Anonymous said...

Clemson is worse than a pedestrian because they get blown out in non-conference play & Alabama did more than expose the team, they exposed your sorry ass fans leaving the game in 3rd quarter. Clemson goes a Jan 1 bowl...you forget to finish that they got BEAT like a drum in New Years day parade! Clemson will never be anything until their able to cheat openly again.

Anonymous said...

^^^you sir^^^ don't know what the hell you are talking about.

Losing by 5 points is not "getting beat like a drum".

We don't know who you pull for, because you're too ashamed to say, but jealousy is a bitch ain't it?

Anonymous said...

BC at ND is not an ACC game in any way shpe form or fashion

Anonymous said...

Wait, Miami and Florida State are still considered relevant? There will be more bad blood between ACC champ Va Tech and C-Usa Champ East Carolina, after last years thriller in the QC.

Anonymous said...

ECU and Va tech should definitely be up there. Not trying to play favorites with ECU but the Pirates and the Tar Heels will be a nice game as well, especially after the last time they played and ECU won in the final seconds