There are four ACC ties in Week 7 while No.6 Florida State has a bye week. Maryland will be the most intriguing team to watch this season, as they look to regain form after a humiliating shut-out loss to the Seminoles last week.
Here is an ACC Week 7 preview.
Conference-Games
Boston College @ No. 3 Clemson
Clemson will enter this match-up with one eye on the showdown with Boston College next week. Should the Tigers pull out a substantial lead, head coach Dabo Swinney should think about pulling Tajh Boyd and company from the game. However, they must be careful not to overlook Boston College who have put in a number of impressive performances this season.
Quarterback Boyd will be full of confidence on the back of his five touchdown performance against Syracuse a week ago. He and receiver Sammy Watkins will continue to gather momentum ahead of next week.
The Eagles put 31 points on Clemson last season and once again have the potential to cause problems with a quarterback-running back-receiver combination of Chase Rettig, Andre Williams and Alex Amidon
Pittsburgh @ No. 24 Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech weathered the early-season storm and have emerged the other side with just one loss at the hands of No.1 Alabama. With quarterback Logan Thomas now finding his way in 2013, the Hokies will be confident of kicking on against Pittsburgh, avenging last season’s 35-17 loss on the way.
Pitt comes into the game on the back of a bye week and a 3-1 record. Freshman running back James Conner has been a revelation averaging 5.7 yards per carry and scoring four touchdowns. Pittsburgh will need every tough yard from Conner to help quarterback Tom Savage who has struggled with accuracy this season.
Ranking fifth in the nation in total defense, allowing just 264 yards per game and leading all teams in interceptions (13), Virginia Tech will simply be too strong for the Panthers at Lane Stadium.
Virginia @ Maryland
Maryland suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of Florida State last week, bringing an end to their unbeaten start to the season. Quarterback C.J. Brown suffered a concussion during the loss and will be questionable this week. Back-up Caleb Rowe has only 68 career passing attempts to his name and needs to be ready if Brown can’t go.
Virginia lost their third game of the season to Ball State a week ago as quarterback David Watford continues to struggle. Running back Kevin Parks had two touchdowns last week and must continue to inspire if the Cavaliers are to get anything from the season.
Syracuse @ NC State
NC State quarterback Pete Thomas has had a horrendous season thus far, throwing seven interception to a measly two touchdowns. However, despite the dreadful play of Thomas, the Wolfpack are 3-2 thanks to a strong running game that features three backs who are averaging over 4.5 yards per carry. The coaching staff must utilise the strong running game more to protect Thomas and improve to 4-2.
Syracuse, meanwhile, have crumbled against every team they have faced that resemble a challenge. Since taking over as starting quarterback, Terrell Hunt has improved the Syracuse offense vastly by throwing seven touchdowns.
This won’t be a game for the ages and the winner will be the team who breaks off more big plays.
Non-Conference Games
Georgia Tech @ BYU
Since opening the season with three consecutive wins, Georgia Tech have lost two on the bounce. Putting 30 points in Miami will give the coaching staff something to work with but they must get more from Vad Lee and the passing game. Lee is completing just 44.7% of his passes while the offense stutters.
BYU have already lost to ACC opponents much weaker than Georgia Tech this season when they suffered a three-point loss to Virginia in Week 1. Since the opening day loss the Cougars have chalked up a win against Texas. The Yellow Jackets must get back to the early season form that saw them go 3-0.
Navy @ Duke
Duke got back to winning ways in Week 5 with a seven point victory over Troy. Quarterback Brandon Connette has led the Blue Devils well all season with strong support from running backs Jela Duncan and Josh Snead. Navy have struggled against strong ground games on route to an impressive 3-1 record. Opening up the offense and allowing Connette to exert himself on the game would be wise of David Cutcliffe
Duke are 3-2 and have the opportunity to go 5-2 as a trip to a poor Virginia side follows the home tie with Navy.