Back in May, we looked at the ACC’s 10 most intriguing conference games. As we near the season, what happens out of conference sets the tone for the ACC’s national perception. Here are the 10 that I think are the most pivotal starting with 6-10.
We don’t always look at the traditional matchups either, we’re going deeper in games that will shape the ACC season.
6. November 25, 2022 – Florida at Florida State
In the not too distant past, from 2014-2017 ACC rivals (Florida State, Clemson, Louisville, and Georgia Tech) went 13-3 over their SEC Rivals (Florida, South Carolina, Kentucky, and Georgia). Yes believe it, even Georgia Tech went 2-2 against Georgia in those 4 years. The ACC needs to get back to someone else besides Clemson winning these games, and Florida State is the best candidate as the Noles and Gators played a 3-point game last year, and enter the season on paper fairly evenly matched. Mike Norvell needs to find a way to beat Florida at home. He knows how much this game matters to FSU fans.
7. September 22, 2022 – West Virginia at Virginia Tech
It’s great that West Virginia has worked out their schedule this year to play a couple of regional rivals in Pittsburgh, and this game against Virginia Tech. Wouldn’t it be nice if these kinds of games happened more often? The atmosphere in Blacksburg for this one should be electric especially if the Hokies take care of business and come into the game 3-0. The Hokies simply haven’t cashed in on big matchups at home in recent years. They could use this win for a lot of reasons.
8. September 17, 2022 – Texas Tech at NC State
This is the year for NC State. They are talented, experienced, and have enough depth on both sides of the ball to have a top 15 type season. If you are capable of being a top 15 team, you’re a darkhorse playoff team. Not to get ahead of ourselves, but getting a Power 5 team at home like a questionable Texas Tech team that will still have a high-powered offense is simply a game that NC State cannot afford to lose. This sets up much the way a game at Mississippi State did last year and the Kentucky bowl game the year before. The Wolfpack were better on paper but didn’t play like it. Lose this one, and it’s a black eye for the ACC and NC State’s high aspirations.
9. September 9, 2022 – Louisville at UCF
This is one of the most underrated games of the year. I love the matchup between Louisville and UCF who played one of the games of the year last year in a 42-35 Louisville victory. UCF certainly has enough credibility that a Louisville win could really jumpstart the season. Scott Satterfield needs a nice early win to set the tone for the season.
10. September 10, 2022 – Virginia at Illinois
Virginia never got enough credit for their win over Illinois. Don’t get me wrong it wasn’t earth-shattering, but the 42-14 win was the most lopsided loss the Illini had all year. The Illini lost 7 games last year, and 5 were by 10 points or less. They have a chance to be a bowl team in 2022. The Hoos have a real shot to start the year 5-0 if they can win this one. That’s how new head coach Tony Elliot can make Virginia fans quickly forget Bronco Mendenhall.
