This Week In The ACC: Sam Jessee Talks Disappointments

This Week In The ACC welcomed back Sam Jessee of Sons of Saturday for a deep dive into the ACC’s storylines after Week 4. Jessee, a Virginia Tech alum and co-host of the Two Deep Hokies podcast, brought his perspective on both the disappointments and bright spots across the conference.

Clemson Falls from Grace

Jessee did not mince words when addressing Clemson’s struggles. Once the ACC’s powerhouse, the Tigers now look sluggish and uninspired. A home loss to Syracuse underscored their offensive stagnation and defensive lapses. “The mystique of Clemson football is starting to wear off,” he said, adding that he sees them as a seven- or eight-win team at best this season.

Duke Shows Resilience Against NC State

On the flip side, Sam pointed to Duke’s rebound as one of the week’s biggest positives. Following a tough loss to Tulane, the Blue Devils responded with a decisive win over local rival NC State. For NC State, the loss continued an alarming trend against Duke, leaving head coach Dave Doeren under pressure heading into a pivotal matchup with Virginia Tech.

Miami Building a National Case

Jeff, a Clemson alum, shifted the conversation to Miami. He argued the Hurricanes look like the most complete team in the ACC, with pro-caliber talent on both sides of the ball. Sam agreed, suggesting Miami “might be the number one team in the country right now” based on performance. Still, both expressed caution, noting head coach Mario Cristobal’s history of late-game mismanagement and the looming cold-weather road tests at Virginia Tech and Pittsburgh.

Looking Ahead: Key Matchups This Week In The ACC

Jessee spotlighted Virginia Tech vs. NC State in Week 5 as a “loser leaves town game” for both head coaches, while he and the hosts also put Louisville on upset alert at Pittsburgh. Beyond the ACC, Jessee circled Penn State vs. Oregon as a potential game of the year nationally.

The guys closed by highlighting Virginia Tech’s ongoing coaching search, calling it “one of the most competitive and interesting markets in recent memory.” From ACC instability to national parity, his message was clear: college football in 2025 is as unpredictable—and exciting—as it has ever been.
Listen to “This Week in the ACC: Sam Jessee Talks Disappointments” on Spreaker.