3 must-watch games in the ACC's opening week
Football is back, and the first week is packed with great matchups. In the ACC, Florida State fans will get their first look at Everett Golson, teams like Clemson and Georgia Tech will start their campaigns for an ACC title, and yet none of these games made this list. More than one ACC team could make a statement with a win in its first game of the season.
No. 1 Ohio State at Virginia Tech
Monday, Sept. 7, 8:00 p.m. ET, ESPN
In one of the biggest games of college football’s opening weekend, Ohio State gets a chance at redemption against Virginia Tech. The Hokies are set for a breakout season, and there's no better way to start it off than beating the nation's top team at home. Virginia Tech gave the Buckeyes their only loss in 2014, and this year’s game will feature many familiar faces.
The Hokies have eight starters returning on each side of the ball, and Ohio State brought back most of its playmakers. In last year’s game, J.T. Barrett went 9-of-29 passing with three interceptions, and the Hokies’ run defense allowed only 2.7 yards per carry. Luther Maddy and Dadi Lhomme Nicolas will need to neutralize Ezekiel Elliot and put pressure on whomever Urban Meyer puts at quarterback, while Kendall Fuller has already proven to be a lockdown corner.
On offense, consistency is key. Michael Brewer showed flashes of greatness in 2014, but his 18 touchdowns were shadowed by 15 interceptions. Needless to say, Virginia Tech will have to be at the top of its game to beat the unanimous No. 1. If the Hokies manage to pull out a win this week, they'll be the favorites to win the Coastal division.
North Carolina vs. South Carolina at Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte, North Carolina)
Thursday, Sept. 3, 6:00 p.m. ET, ESPN
This game is much more than a border rivalry between the two schools. Both South Carolina and North Carolina have question marks going into the season, and getting a win early against an evenly matched opponent could be big in the long run.
Defense will be the deciding factor in this game. Incoming defensive coordinator Gene Chizik faces a tall task in fixing the Tar Heels' conference-worst defense from a season ago. On the other side, Jon Hoke will try to improve South Carolina's defense, which was ranked 92nd in the country last year.
Steve Spurrier has been raving about sophomore quarterback Connor Mitch, but the Gamecocks’ offense is comprised of mostly new faces. One of the weaknesses will have to give, and if Chizik keeps South Carolina in check, the offense should be able to win the game for the Tar Heels.
Louisville vs. No. 6 Auburn at the Georgia Dome (Atlanta, Georgia)
Saturday, Sept. 5, 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS
For the past few years Louisville has been on the outside looking in at the race for the ACC Atlantic Division, and this year it looks to take the next step.
Quarterback Reggie Bonnafon is the expected starter, but with Bobby Petrino running things you never really know. The Auburn secondary is considered one of its weakest parts, and whoever is under center for the Cardinals will likely be able to do some damage. The 2014 Cardinals were exceptional defensively, but the majority of that core is gone. Petrino was able to work his magic last year to win nine games despite losing Teddy Bridgewater, but this year's losses will be much harder to rebound from.
Louisville only returns four defensive starters from 2014, and the losses show with the Cardinals coming in as double-digit underdogs. The game is technically at a neutral site in the Georgia Dome, but SEC fans are sure to dominate the stands. A win against a top-10 team in what is virtually a road game will get the attention of coaches around the nation, and catapult Louisville into the top 25.
Most teams get a tuneup game in to start the season, but these ACC squads took a different route. All three are listed as underdogs for their season openers. Ohio State is a 12-point favorite against Virginia Tech, South Carolina is a two-point favorite over North Carolina, and the spread for Auburn is 10.5 points over Louisville.
However, none of the games are unwinnable. Virginia Tech is a much better team than people give it credit for, and the Hokies proved themselves against the Buckeyes last year. North Carolina could easily feast on the South Carolina defense, and if Louisville’s new faces pull through, the Cardinals could come up big in Georgia.