James Guillory-Imagn Images Football October 18, 2025 Week 8 Saturday Preview: ACC Football Saturday Showcases Unbeaten Clash, Championship Rematch, Historic Rivalry and First-Time ACC Matchup CHARLOTTE, N.C. (theACC.com) – Saturday’s ACC football lineup delivers marquee matchups and high-stakes drama from coast to coast. The action kicks off at Noon ET on ESPN as No. 12 Georgia Tech heads to Durham, North Carolina, for a battle of unbeatens against Duke. At 3:30 p.m. ET on ACC Network, fans will get a high-stakes rematch of the 2024 ACC Football Championship Game when SMU visits Clemson. The evening slate features the historic rivalry between Pitt and Syracuse at 7:30 p.m. ET on ACC Network, followed by a first-ever meeting between Florida State and Stanford — a matchup highlighting the conference’s expanding national footprint — at 10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. Two additional non-conference games round out Saturday’s schedule: Virginia hosts Washington State at 6:30 p.m. ET on The CW with bowl eligibility on the line, and Boston College welcomes UConn in a regional rivalry dating back to 1908 at Noon ET on ACCN. #12 Georgia Tech at Duke | Noon ET Series: Georgia Tech leads series, 55-35-1 Last meeting: Georgia Tech, 24-14 (2024) TV: ESPN SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 85 / SiriusXM 106 / SiriusXM 193 SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 85 / SiriusXM 955 Georgia Tech and Duke enter the week tied atop the ACC at 3-0 in conference play. This matchup sets the stage for a pivotal battle between two unbeaten ACC contenders. The Yellow Jackets became the league’s first bowl-eligible team with a 35-20 win over Virginia Tech, improving to 6-0 for the first time since 2011 and riding a five-game ACC winning streak. Their strong start has also earned them their highest national ranking since 2014 at No. 12. Duke is seeking its first win over a ranked opponent since upsetting No. 9 Clemson in 2023 and its first 4-0 ACC start since 1994. The Blue Devils have won six straight conference games, fueled by an ACC-best offense averaging 42.7 points per game. Defensively, both teams have been stingy—Duke leads the league, allowing just 19 points per game, while Georgia Tech gives up 23.33. UConn at Boston College | Noon ET Series: Boston College leads series, 13-1-2 Last meeting: Boston College, 21-14 (2023) TV: ACC Network SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 137 / SiriusXM 194 SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 956 Boston College looks to snap a five-game home losing streak when it hosts UConn. The Huskies enter on a three-game winning streak with victories over Ball State, Buffalo and FIU, improving to 4-2 on the season. UConn has been one of the nation’s most efficient teams, tied for the national lead with just one turnover lost. The Eagles counter with a strong passing attack, ranked fifth in the ACC and led by quarterback Dylan Lonergan, who has thrown for 1,394 yards this year. Running back Turbo Richard adds balance to the offense as one of only three FBS players with at least 400 rushing yards, five rushing touchdowns and two receiving scores. Receiver Lewis Bond leads the ACC with 7.5 receptions per game, ranking fifth nationally, and has totaled 436 yards. On defense, KP Price has been a standout, ranking fourth in the ACC with 8.5 tackles per game. He earned ACC Defensive Back of the Week honors after a 14-tackle performance against Clemson last week and also leads the conference with 5.33 solo tackles per game, ranking 10th nationally. SMU at Clemson | 3:30 p.m. ET Series: Clemson leads series, 1-0-0 Last meeting: Clemson, 34-31 (2024) TV: ACC Network SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 106 / SiriusXM 193 / SiriusXM 371 SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 371 / SiriusXM 955 Saturday’s matchup between SMU and Clemson is a rematch of the 2024 ACC Championship, a thriller that Clemson won 34-31 on a walk-off field goal by Nolan Hauser. SMU enters the contest on a two-game winning streak and remains perfect in ACC regular-season play at 10-0 since joining the league in 2024. The Mustangs have won a program-record 19 straight regular-season conference games, the longest active streak in the nation. Their defense has been a key factor, leading the ACC and ranking fifth nationally with 10 interceptions, while totaling 14 takeaways, second in the FBS. Clemson is also riding momentum after back-to-back wins, outscoring opponents 79-20 during that span. The Tigers dominated Boston College last week, holding the Eagles to 221 total yards, forcing two turnovers, and recording a season-high five sacks. Offensively, Clemson also posted its best performance of the season with 504 total yards, including 226 on the ground and four rushing touchdowns. Washington State at #18 Virginia | 6:30 p.m. ET Series: First Meeting TV: The CW SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 137 / SiriusXM 194 SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 956 Washington State and Virginia will meet for the first time on Saturday. The Cougars enter the matchup at 3-3 overall, playing their third straight road game under first-year head coach Jimmy Rogers. With 75 new players on the 2025 roster, WSU is looking to notch its first win over a Top-25 opponent since defeating No. 19 Wisconsin in 2023 and its first road win over a ranked team since beating the Badgers in Madison in 2022. Virginia, meanwhile, is off to a strong 5-1 start and can become bowl eligible for the first time under head coach Tony Elliott. The Cavaliers have won four straight games, with each of their last two victories coming in overtime. The Cavaliers’ offense has been one of the best in the nation, ranking eighth in scoring (43.0 ppg), 11th in total offense (489.2 ypg), and 13th in time of possession. UVA also ranks 18th in rushing and 30th in passing offense, showcasing impressive balance. The Cavaliers have outscored opponents 26-17 in the fourth quarter, highlighting their ability to finish games strong. Pitt at Syracuse | 7:30 p.m. ET Series: Pitt leads series, 44-33-3 Last meeting: Pitt, 41-13 (2024) TV: ACC Network SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 106 / SiriusXM 193 / SiriusXM 371 SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 371 / SiriusXM 955 Pitt and Syracuse renew a historical rivalry on Saturday, meeting for the 81st time. The Panthers hold a 44-33-3 all-time series lead and have dominated recent matchups, winning 19 of the last 23, including a 41-13 victory last year in Pittsburgh. Pitt enters with momentum after a 34-31 upset win on the road at then-No. 25 Florida State. Running back Desmond Reid made a strong return from injury in that game, racking up 200 total yards and two touchdown receptions. Defensively, the Panthers continue to impress, ranking seventh nationally in rushing defense and third in tackles for loss, anchored by standouts Kyle Louis and Rasheem Biles. Syracuse looks to bounce back from a two-game skid after opening ACC play with a 34-21 win at Clemson on September 20. The Orange feature one of the nation’s top passing attacks, ranking sixth nationally and first in the ACC with 320.7 passing yards per game. Defensively, they’ve leaned on talented freshmen Demetres Samuel Jr. and Antoine Deslauriers, who have combined for 55 tackles, nine passes defended, and two forced fumbles. With both teams eager to build momentum, this matchup adds another chapter to a storied rivalry. Florida State at Stanford | 10:30 p.m. ET Series: First Meeting TV: ESPN SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 81 / SiriusXM 137 / SiriusXM 194 SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 81 / SiriusXM 956 Florida State and Stanford will meet for the first time on Saturday in Stanford, California, with both teams looking to rebound from ACC losses last week. After opening the season 3-0, highlighted by a top-10 win over Alabama, the Seminoles are seeking their first conference victory of the year. Despite their ACC struggles, FSU boasts one of the nation’s most explosive offenses, ranking third nationally in total offense (536.5 ypg), fourth in first downs, and fifth in both scoring (44.2 ppg) and rushing (274.5 ypg). Quarterback Tommy Castellanos leads the country in yards per completion at 15.87, fueling the team’s big-play ability. Stanford has been strong at home, starting 2-0 and scoring at least 30 points in both victories. The Cardinal is aiming for its first 3-0 home start since 2018. Quarterback Ben Gulbranson has been efficient at home, completing 64.6% of his passes for 630 yards and three touchdowns. Wide receiver CJ Williams has emerged as a key playmaker, leading the team with 35 receptions for 404 yards. Saturday’s matchup will also feature a strength-on-strength battle in the run game—FSU ranks third nationally with 21 rushing touchdowns, while Stanford’s defense has allowed only five rushing scores all season, tied for 22nd in the FBS.