Week 11 ACC Preview

Week 11
Nov. 6
Maryland at Virginia Tech, 7:30 p.m. on ESPN
Nov. 8
Georgia Tech at North Carolina, Noon on Raycom
NC State at Duke, 3:30 p.m. on ESPN360
Virginia at Wake Forest, 3:30 p.m. on ESPNU
Clemson at Florida State, 3:30 p.m. on ABC/ESPN
Notre Dame at Boston College, 8 p.m. on ESPN
Bye: Miami

The Hokies get back into the fold with a Thursday Night Special against the only team in the ACC with one conference loss. Two other match-ups feature teams with two conference losses, which almost makes them elimination games.

If you're a fan of chaos, you're rooting for the Hokies and Tigers. The Hoos and Deacs will create chaos no matter who wins.

Maryland (3-1) at Virginia Tech (2-2)

The Hokies return to Lane Stadium for the first time in over a month and for the second time since Sept. 13. The Terps haven't played a road game since losing 31-0 at UVa on Oct. 4.

In the end, this game will not completely decide either division. If the Hokies lose, they will have three conference losses. However, all three would be to Atlantic foes. If they won out, they would only need a loss from the UNC/GT winner to move on to Tampa.

Maryland is currently in the driver's seat in the Atlantic and would still control its on destiny with a loss to the Hokies. The Terps already hold the tiebreaker against Wake, and finish the season against Florida State and Boston College, the two other contenders in the division.

Georgia Tech (4-2) at North Carolina (2-2)

This is the biggest game in the ACC this week, so why the hell is it being played at Noon on Raycom? The Bowden's Revenge game might attract a bigger audience, but this game will be the best one on the field. The loser will have too many divisional losses to have a legitimate shot at Tampa.

Georgia Tech is the only team in the ACC with four conference wins and after this game, will have one conference game left against Miami Nov. 20. It could pay off to be Georgia Tech and Florida State, with non-conference games the last weekend of the season. The two teams could be like leaders in the clubhouse, watching the carnage unfold on the course on a Sunday at St. Andrews. UNC, on the other hand, is like a Premiership team with games in hand.

Is that too many British references for a VT blog?

NC State (0-4) at Duke (1-3)

Pillow fight!

Virginia (3-2) at Wake Forest (3-2)

The Hoos came back down to earth against a good defense last week. It doesn't look like Verica is going to lose any games for UVa. The problem is, it also doesn't look like he's going to win any games for them when the running game gets shut down.

Wake is back in the picture in the Atlantic, but can't afford a home loss. To me, the Deacs haven't looked impressive since the Ole Miss win. However, if they keep winning ugly, they could find themselves back in the ACCCG.

Clemson (2-3) at Florida State (3-2)

Can Clemson be considered a contender in the Atlantic? No way, because of losses to Wake and Maryland. If the Tigers beat FSU, you can start dreaming of chaotic scenarios that have the Tigers going to Tampa, but because none of their games after this weekend are against Division rivals, they can't play their way into the game.

Florida State can't afford another loss and Papa Bowden will be looking for revenge for the firing of Tommy.

Notre Dame at Boston College (2-3)

After losing back-to-back conference games and almost falling out of the Atlantic picture, the Eagles get a non-conference game against rival Notre Dame.

Hopefully the Eagles embarrass the Irish on national TV and get another big win over Notre Dame for the ACC.