Around the ACC: Week 8
While the ACC has been dominated by the undefeated Wake Forest, try saying that to someone at the start of the year, things are starting to get interesting with multiple five win teams.
Starting out first with those Demon Deacons, they had the week off last week but they will return to the gridiron this Saturday to take on Army. The Demon Deacons open up as three-point favorites on the road in West Point, which is the same total they won their last two games against Louisville and then Syracuse in overtime.
It could become very clear who the biggest competitor for Wake Forest will be after this weekend's Clemson-Pitt matchup at Heinz Field. The Tigers are still unranked but are on a two-game winning streak with wins over Boston College and Syracuse, where the offense scored less than 20 points on both occasions.
As for Pitt, it is rolling on a three-game winning streak as the offense, led by quarterback Kenny Pickett, continues to click. The No. 23-ranked Panthers won two games on the road during that stretch against Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech and put up 77 points against New Hampshire during the lone home game during the streak.
Another big threat to Wake Forest could be No. 18 N.C. State, who, after a Week 2 loss to N.C. State, has won four straight games. That includes the upset win in double-overtime over Clemson where the Wolfpack won 27-21.
The Wolfpack’s latest win came against Boston College as they cruised to a 33-7 victory. Quarterback Devin Leary threw for three touchdowns in the win as the Wolfpack’s defense allowed less than 100 rushing yards. They’ll travel to South Beach this weekend to take on the Miami Hurricanes.
Virginia could prove to be an outside threat as it enters the weekend with a 5-2 record and as favorites in this week’s matchup against Georgia Tech. Following back-to-back losses against North Carolina and Wake Forest, the Cavaliers have rallied with a three-game winning streak including a 48-0 shutout win last week against Duke.
The Cavaliers defense forced four turnovers during the game as quarterback Brennan Armstrong threw for 364 yards and two touchdowns.
The ACC still is as wide open as ever, especially with Wake Forest set to take on both N.C. State and Clemson later on in the season, which should lead to some more wild action in the conference.
Many teams still have a chance to catch the Demon Deacons with not much time left in the regular season.
Logan Bourandas is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email lxb5412@psu.edu.
