CHARLOTTE, N.C. (theACC.com) – Eight Atlantic Coast Conference Football games pack one thrilling Saturday on October 4, featuring seven pivotal conference clashes that could quickly impact the 2025 ACC regular-season standings.
The spotlight shines brightest in primetime when No. 3 Miami and No. 18 Florida State renew one of college football’s most storied rivalries at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC in a top-20 showdown for bragging rights in the state of Florida.
In a battle of ACC unbeatens, No. 24 Virginia heads to Louisville for a 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff on ESPN2, while Duke makes a rare cross-country trip to face California under the lights at 10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Saturday’s excitement kicks off at Noon ET, with a high-profile coaching showdown as Dabo Swinney, a national championship-winning coach, goes head-to-head with NFL legend and Super Bowl-winning coach Bill Belichick, as Clemson takes on North Carolina on ESPN.
Fans can catch all the action across ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ACC Network, and The CW, with over 12 hours of wall-to-wall ACC Football for what could be a wild Saturday.
Clemson at North Carolina | Noon ET
Series: Clemson leads series, 40-19-1
Last meeting: Clemson, 31-20 (2023)
TV: ESPN
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 82 | SiriusXM 371
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 82 | SiriusXM 371
Clemson enters this week’s matchup against North Carolina holding a 40-19-1 advantage in the all-time series, including six consecutive wins dating back to 2011.
The Tigers have been particularly strong in the trenches this season, with the offensive line allowing an ACC-low 2.75 tackles-for-loss per game and ranking third in the league in fewest sacks allowed at 1.00 per game. Wide receiver Bryant Wesco Jr. has emerged as a key playmaker, leading the ACC in receiving yards per game (97.3) and tied for the conference lead with five touchdown receptions.
On the defensive side, Clemson also boasts an active front, ranking fifth in the conference in both sacks (2.50) and tackles-for-loss (6.50) per game. Offensively, linebackers Wade Woodaz and Ronan Hanafin have been defensive standouts, each averaging 5.5 solo tackles per game — tops in the ACC.
North Carolina counters with a disciplined and opportunistic defense that ranks second in the ACC in red zone efficiency, allowing opponents to score on just 64.7% of trips inside the 20-yard line.
Offensively, the Tar Heels excel in ball security, ranking among the top five in the conference in both fewest interceptions and fumbles lost.
UNC is also the least penalized team in the ACC, averaging just 4.25 penalties per game.
Boston College at Pitt | Noon ET
Series: Pitt leads series, 18-16-0
Last meeting: Boston College, 34-23 (2024)
TV: ACC Network
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 119 | SiriusXM 193 | SiriusXM 383
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 937 | SiriusXM 955
Boston College and Pitt are set to meet for the 35th time in a closely contested series, with the Panthers holding a narrow 18-16 edge.
The Eagles enter the matchup boasting one of the nation’s most dynamic passing attacks, leading the ACC and ranking fourth nationally with 344.5 passing yards per game. Quarterback Dylan Lonergan has been a standout performer, averaging 297.0 passing yards per game with 1,188 total yards and a completion rate of over 69 percent. Wide receiver Lewis Bond has emerged as a go-to target, leading the ACC and ranking second nationally with 9.0 receptions per game — including at least seven catches in every contest this season.
Pitt’s offense is not far behind, ranking fourth in the ACC with 301.0 passing yards per game and second in the league in yards per completion at 14.00. Quarterback Eli Holstein leads the conference in points responsible for per game (18.5), adding to the Panthers’ scoring punch.
The Panthers also boast the ACC’s top rushing defense, allowing just 74.0 yards per game — a mark that ranks seventh nationally.
Defensively, both teams feature elite playmakers up front. Pitt’s Rasheem Biles leads the ACC with 1.75 tackles-for-loss per game, while BC’s Omar Thornton ranks second at 1.50.
Wake Forest at Virginia Tech | 1 p.m. ET
Series: Virginia Tech leads series, 26-13-1
Last meeting: Virginia Tech, 30-13 (2023)
TV: The CW
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 385 | SiriusXM 386
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 975 | SiriusXM 976
Virginia Tech holds a 26-13-1 advantage in the all-time series against Wake Forest and claimed the most recent victory in 2023 with a 30-13 win in Blacksburg.
The Hokies come into this year’s matchup riding a two-game winning streak, including a narrow 23-21 win over NC State in Week 5. Quarterback Kyron Drones has emerged as a true dual-threat, ranking among the ACC’s top eight in both passing touchdowns (8) and rushing touchdowns (4), while averaging 14.4 points responsible for per game.
Defensively, Virginia Tech continues to generate pressure, ranking fourth in the conference in sacks (2.60 per game) and adding 6.4 tackles-for-loss per contest.
Wake Forest has been disruptive on defense as well, ranking second in the ACC with 7.8 tackles-for-loss per game.
On offense, running back Demond Claiborne continues to etch his name in the Wake Forest record books. With 22 career rushing touchdowns, Claiborne now holds the program’s record for the most in the College Football Playoff era, surpassing Cade Carney’s previous mark of 21. He added two more scores in the Demon Deacons’ recent loss to Georgia Tech.
Campbell at NC State | 2 p.m. ET
Series: First Meeting
TV: ACCNX
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 388
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 978
Despite being separated by just 35 miles, NC State and Campbell will meet for the first time in program history this weekend.
The Wolfpack enters the matchup led by one of the ACC’s top rushing threats in Hollywood Smothers, who leads the conference and ranks fourth nationally with 570 rushing yards on the season. Quarterback CJ Bailey has also been a standout, ranking second in the ACC in both passing yards (1,323) and completion percentage (72.8%). Bailey has recorded two 300-yard games this year, including a career-best 364-yard performance against Duke.
NC State is 2-1 in one-score games this season, with narrow wins over East Carolina and Virginia before falling to Virginia Tech, 23-21, last weekend.
Campbell comes into the contest with a 1-4 record, including a 1-1 mark in CAA play. The Fighting Camels notched their first win of the season in dramatic fashion, earning a double-overtime victory over Bryant — a team receiving votes in the FCS national poll. Quarterback Kamden Sixkiller leads the Campbell offense with 1,098 passing yards and eight touchdowns on the year.
#24 Virginia at Louisville | 3:30 p.m. ET
Series: Louisville leads series, 8-5-0
Last meeting: Louisville, 24-20 (2024)
TV: ESPN2
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 121 | SiriusXM 194 | SiriusXM 371
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 371 | SiriusXM 956
Louisville and Virginia renew their ACC rivalry this weekend, with the Cardinals holding an 8-5 edge in the all-time series, including a current three-game winning streak dating back to 2022.
Virginia enters the matchup riding a wave of momentum, ranked No. 24 in the AP Poll — its first appearance since 2019 — following a dramatic double-overtime win over then-No. 8 Florida State. That victory marked the Cavaliers’ highest-ranked home win in the past 20 years.
Offensively, Virginia has been explosive, ranking second in the ACC in total offense (539.6 yards per game), rushing offense (243.4 yards per game), and scoring (45.6 points per game).
Louisville is off to a 4-0 start for the eighth time in the last 23 seasons and is aiming to improve to 5-0 for the second time under head coach Jeff Brohm. The Cardinals have won seven straight games, a streak that is tied for the second-longest among Power 4 teams nationally, trailing only Ohio State and Missouri.
Defensively, Louisville continues to make plays on the back end, recording three interceptions in last week’s win over Pitt. The Cardinals now lead the ACC and rank ninth nationally in total interceptions this season.
Syracuse at SMU | 3:30 p.m. ET
Series: SMU leads series, 1-0-0
Last meeting: SMU, 16-6 (1932)
TV: ACC Network
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 119 | SiriusXM 193 | SiriusXM 383
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 373 | SiriusXM 955
Syracuse and SMU meet for the first time in more than 90 years — and for the first time as ACC opponents — when the two programs face off this weekend. The Mustangs won the only previous meeting, a 16-6 decision, in 1932.
Syracuse enters the matchup coming off a 38-3 home loss to Duke, the Orange’s first game without starting quarterback Steve Angeli, who suffered a season-ending injury at Clemson. LSU transfer Rickie Collins made his first career start in Angeli’s place, posting career highs in completions (24), attempts (37) and passing yards (229).
Despite the setback, Syracuse has shown resilience under head coach Fran Brown, posting a 4-0 record following losses this season.
SMU returns to action following an open week and kicks off ACC play riding a 17-game regular-season conference winning streak — the longest active streak in the FBS, dating back to 2022.
The Mustangs have been opportunistic on defense, leading the ACC and ranking seventh nationally with nine turnovers gained, including six interceptions and two defensive touchdowns.
Wide receiver Romello Brinson has been a consistent playmaker, ranking second in the ACC and 15th nationally in receiving yards per game (91.3). He is one of only four ACC players with multiple 100-yard receiving games this season.
#3 Miami at #18 Florida State | 7:30 p.m. ET
Series: Miami leads series, 36-32-0
Last meeting: Miami, 36-14 (2024)
TV: ABC
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 82 | SiriusXM 84
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 82 | SiriusXM 84
One of college football’s most iconic rivalries is renewed this weekend with high stakes, as both Florida State and Miami enter the matchup firmly in the College Football Playoff conversation. For the first time since 2013, both teams are ranked in the top 20 of the AP Top 25 Poll, with Miami at No. 3 and Florida State at No. 18.
The Hurricanes feature the ACC’s top-ranked defense, allowing just 244.5 yards per game, and rank among the nation’s best in several key categories — including third-down defense (24.0%) and fewest first downs allowed (54). Miami also ranks second in the league in both rushing and passing defense.
Offensively, quarterback Carson Beck leads the ACC in completion percentage (73.2%), while running back Mark Fletcher is second in rushing with 97.0 yards per game.
Florida State brings the nation’s most explosive offense into the rivalry clash, averaging 600.0 yards and 53.0 points per game. The Seminoles lead the ACC — and rank second nationally — in rushing offense with 336.3 yards per game.
Quarterback Tommy Castellanos has been a key catalyst, leading the country in yards per completion at 18.84.
With both teams ranked, elite on both sides of the ball, and playoff implications on the line, this year’s installment of Florida State–Miami is set up to be one of the most compelling in recent memory.
Duke at California | 10:30 p.m. ET
Series: Duke leads series, 1-0-1
Last meeting: Tied, 22-22 (1963)
TV: ESPN
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 119 | SiriusXM 193 | SiriusXM 382
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 955 | SiriusXM 972
Duke and California meet for just the third time in series history, with the Blue Devils holding a slight edge at 1-0-1. Their last matchup came over 60 years ago, ending in a 22-22 tie in Berkeley in 1963.
This year, Duke looks to make history of its own, aiming to start 3-0 in ACC play for the first time since 1994 — a feat the program has accomplished only four times since 1963.
The Blue Devils are off to a strong start in conference action, averaging 41.5 points per game in wins over NC State and Syracuse. Running backs Anderson Castle and Nate Sheppard have powered the offense, combining for 363 rushing yards and six touchdowns over the past two games while earning back-to-back ACC Running Back of the Week honors.
California enters the contest following a 28-24 win in its ACC opener and features standout performances on both sides of the ball. True freshman quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele leads all FBS freshmen with 1,242 passing yards, while cornerback Hezekiah Masses paces the nation with 11 passes defended and is tied for the FBS lead with four interceptions.
The Golden Bears are also anchored by one of the conference’s top linebacker duos in Cade Uluave (40 tackles) and Luke Ferrelli (38), who rank fourth and sixth in the ACC, respectively, in total tackles.