When the schedule rolls out and rankings are unveiled, non-conference games always stand out. Traditional rivalries are great for date circling, bragging, or plotting vengeance for a loss.
But non-conference games, be it a home-and-home series, or a one-off neutral game, can add an extra element of excitement to a young season. These games can also put a team in a hole with their national perception. Risk/reward is a big factor, and there is risk in facing a quality non-conference opponent, but the game can be a barometer for your team.
These games stood out to me as big tests for ACC football. Wins would be huge for the conference. Losses, in some, would be a big blow. Either outcome, the teams in the ACC are facing some quality competition out of conference this year. The rankings in each matchup are from the preseason AP Poll.
(16) Clemson at (12) Georgia, August 30, 5:30 PM ET
Clemson gets another opening week matchup against the Bulldogs, this time in Athens. UGA gets a rematch from last season’s 38-35 shootout Tigers win. We’ll see right away how Clemson handles the losses of QB Tajh Boyd and WR Sammy Watkins. DE Vic Beasley anchors a defense that returns seven starters from last season. This is the only ACC matchup on opening weekend featuring two ranked opponents. Clemson can move closer to a Top-10 ranking with a big win over the Bulldogs. Georgia, a contender in the SEC East, returns eight on defense and will look to slow down the Clemson offense and get revenge for last year’s opening loss.
(1) Florida State vs. Oklahoma State (in Arlington, TX), August 30, 8 PM ET
Although FSU is number one in both polls and the Cowboys are unranked, the venue, expectations, and the initial spread (-17.5 per Vegas Insider) put a ton of pressure on the Noles to handle OK St. Playing in Jerry World in front of 80,000+ in one of the biggest opening weekend games will set the tempo for FSU’s repeat bid.
(1) Florida State vs. (17) Notre Dame, October 18, time TBD
The Seminoles host Notre Dame in mid-October, and will look to be 6-0 and halfway to a perfect regular season. With the Irish’s Murderers’ Row schedule, they may come into Tallahassee unranked. If Notre Dame pulls off four or five first half wins, Doak Campbell Stadium will be raucous when they visit. Either way, Notre Dame is still Notre Dame, and this game is huge.
Virginia Tech at (5) Ohio State, September 6, 8 PM ET
This is a big 300-mile trip to The Horseshoe for the Hokies. Also big for the Buckeyes since the announcement of Braxton Miller’s absence for the season will throw a wrench in the plans for a trip to the first College Football Playoff. This will be the second game of the season for both with two winnable openers the week before. We’ll see where VA Tech, an upper-tier Coastal Division team, stacks up against a national title contender. We’ll also see how OSU handles Miller’s injury. Being at the friendly confines of home in Columbus should help their case, but sans their star QB, their season just got a bit tougher. The Hokies bring back nine starters on offense, but have to replace QB Logan Thomas.
Miami, FL at (22) Nebraska, September 20, 8 PM ET
The last time these two matched up was the final game of the 2001-02 season. Miami defeated Nebraska 37-14 to win the national title. They’re now in the ACC and B1G, respectively, and haven’t returned to such prominence since. Two proud programs looking to be kings of their divisions will square off in Lincoln. This will the first big test for the Huskers at home, while Miami will be tested out of the gate with a Labor Day showdown with new conference rival Louisville. Nebraska’s consecutive sellout streak (now at 333) will not be in jeopardy for some time, and this game will keep it going. Memorial Stadium will be packed when the Hurricanes come rolling in.
(23) North Carolina at East Carolina, September 20, time TBD
ECU beat the Heels last season and is one of a handful of teams with eyes on being the best from the Group of Five. Going to Greenville to face the Pirates for their first road game will be a litmus test for Chapel Hill’s team. A win at ECU could get the Heels to 3-0 and halfway to bowl eligibility. With a stretch of at Clemson, vs. VA Tech, and at Notre Dame following, getting the third win will be crucial. There are three more winnable games on the Heels’ schedule, but folks in Chapel Hill will want more than just bowl eligibility this season.
(23) North Carolina at (17) Notre Dame, October 11, 3:30 PM ET
Visiting South Bend is a big deal for any team, but a preseason ranked ACC squad traveling to face the Irish at home is a huge opportunity. The Heels can get a signature win for the conference and put themselves in the conversation for the best in the Coastal Division. Notre Dame plays three other ACC teams; UNC and Louisville have a chance to get wins at Notre Dame Stadium.
The Los Angeles schools travel east to take on Virginia and Boston College early in the season. Virginia hosts (7) UCLA, August 30, 12 PM ET and Boston College hosts (15) USC, September 13, 8 PM ET. UVA is coming off a 2-10 season, while BC finished 7-6 in 2013, but returns just 3 offensive starters. UCLA is a 21-point favorite against UVA (Vegas Insider) and if the Cavaliers keep it within three touchdowns it’ll be a moral victory. Neither ACC school will be given a chance against these PAC-12 South foes, so an upset victory would be monumental, and could have College Football Playoff ramifications for the favorites.
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