Georgia Tech Athletics Football October 25, 2025 Week 9 Saturday Preview: Six Conference Games Headline Saturday Slate CHARLOTTE, N.C. (theACC.com) – Week 9 of ACC Football features a pivotal Saturday slate with six conference matchups carrying major implications for the regular-season standings. All four ACC teams ranked in the top 20 of the AP Poll Top 25 Poll in No. 7 Georgia Tech, No. 9 Miami, No. 16 Virginia and No. 19 Louisville will be in action, looking to strengthen their positions in the league and national races, while Pitt and SMU also take the field with bowl eligibility within reach as all 12 teams in action look to build momentum entering the regular season’s final stretch. Syracuse at #7 Georgia Tech | Noon ET Series: Georgia Tech leads series, 4-2-0 Last meeting: Syracuse, 31-28 (2024) TV: ESPN SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 139 / SiriusXM 194 / SiriusXM 381 SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 956 / SiriusXM 971 Georgia Tech leads the all-time series against Syracuse 4-2, though Syracuse won their most recent meeting last year, 31-28, marking its first victory over a ranked opponent since 2022. Syracuse’s passing offense ranks second in the ACC, averaging 294.3 yards per game, with quarterback Rickie Collins emerging as a dynamic dual-threat, leading the team in rushing in two of his three starts. Defensive back Davien Kerr has three interceptions this season, ranking second in the ACC and eighth nationally. Georgia Tech remains one of six undefeated FBS teams and has won four close games decided by single digits. The Yellow Jackets lead all FBS teams with an average of 8.32 yards per play on first down, while dual-threat quarterback Haynes King tops the ACC and ranks third nationally with 10 rushing touchdowns, becoming the first ACC quarterback since Lamar Jackson to record double-digit rushing TDs in three consecutive seasons. #16 Virginia at North Carolina | Noon ET Series: North Carolina leads series, 66-59-4 Last meeting: North Carolina, 41-14 (2024) TV: ACC Network SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 160 / SiriusXM 193 / SiriusXM 371 SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 371 / SiriusXM 955 Saturday marks the 130th meeting between Virginia and North Carolina in the “South’s Oldest Rivalry,” tied with Auburn versus Georgia as the second-most played rivalry in FBS. The series began on October 22, 1892, with Virginia winning 30-18 in Charlottesville. Virginia is off to its best start since 2007 at 6-1, is bowl eligible for the first time since 2021 and is currently ranked No. 16 in the AP Poll—their highest since late 2007. The Cavaliers’ rushing attack ranks third in the ACC, averaging 203.9 yards per game. North Carolina aims to end a three-game losing streak and earn its first ACC win of the season. The Tar Heels boast a strong defense, ranking sixth nationally in red zone defense by allowing opponents to score just 69.6% of the time inside the 20-yard line, and is limiting opponents to 119.2 rushing yards per game. SMU at Wake Forest | Noon ET Series: SMU leads series, 3-0-0 Last meeting: SMU, 14-7 (1975) TV: The CW SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 138 / SiriusXM 201 / SiriusXM 382 SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 963 / SiriusXM 972 SMU and Wake Forest will meet for only the fourth time overall and for the first time as ACC opponents. On Saturday, SMU aims to extend multiple streaks, including a three-game winning streak against Wake Forest, a current three-game overall winning streak, a nine-game streak in road conference games and a program-record 20 consecutive regular-season league wins—the longest in the nation. Quarterback Kevin Jennings, who holds a 15-5 record as a starter, leads the ACC with 17 touchdown passes this season, ranking ninth nationally. SMU’s defense was instrumental in their recent win over Clemson, limiting the Tigers to just 35 rushing yards on 30 carries. Wake Forest, which is coming off an open week, enters the game following back-to-back road wins at Virginia Tech and Oregon State. Running back Demond Claiborne ranks fourth nationally in yards per carry (7.81) and is tied for first among ACC running backs with eight rushing touchdowns. Wide receiver Chris Barnes leads the Deacons in all-purpose yards (115.5 per game), receiving yards (68.3), receptions (3.83) and receiving touchdowns (3). NC State at Pitt | 3:30 p.m. ET Series: Series tied, 5-5-1 Last meeting: NC State, 30-29 (2020) TV: ACC Network SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 160 / SiriusXM 193 / SiriusXM 371 SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 371 / SiriusXM 955 NC State and Pitt meet for the 12th time, with the all-time series tied at 5-5-1. The Wolfpack has won each of the last three matchups and returns from an open week to begin a five-game stretch of conference contests to close out the regular season. Running back Hollywood Smothers has been a standout, recording four 100-yard rushing games—one of only five FBS players to do so this year. He leads the ACC and ranks sixth nationally with 739 rushing yards, averaging 105.6 yards per game, also best in the conference. Pitt enters on a three-game winning streak, scoring 30 or more points in each victory. Quarterback Mason Heintschel has energized the Panthers’ offense, guiding the team to a 3-0 record in his starts while completing 68% of his passes for 784 yards and six touchdowns. Defensively, Pitt leads the ACC in rushing defense (82.4 yards allowed per game) and tackles for loss (8.4 per game) and ranks second in sacks (2.71 per game). Stanford at #9 Miami | 7 p.m. ET Series: First meeting TV: ESPN SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 139 / SiriusXM 194 / SiriusXM 384 SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 956 / SiriusXM 974 Stanford and Miami will meet for the first time on Saturday night at Hard Rock Stadium. The matchup marks Stanford’s second consecutive first-time meeting against a team from Florida, following last week’s 20-13 win over Florida State. The victory improved the Cardinal to 3-4, matching their win total from each of the past four seasons. Running back Cole Tabb powered the offense with career highs of 28 carries, 118 yards, and a touchdown, while the Stanford defense limited Florida State to a season-low 13 points—well below the Seminoles’ 44.2-point average entering the game. Miami looks to bounce back from its first loss of the season, a 24-21 defeat to Louisville. Freshman wide receiver Malachi Toney continued his strong play, recording 149 all-purpose yards, including nine receptions for 135 yards, a rushing touchdown and completed a pass on a two-point conversion. Defensively, the Hurricanes remain among the nation’s best, ranking 13th in scoring defense (15.3 ppg), 14th in rushing defense (92.7 ypg) and 15th in total defense (291.5 ypg). Boston College at #19 Louisville | 7:30 p.m. ET Series: Louisville leads series, 10-7-0 Last meeting: Louisville, 31-27 (2024) TV: ACC Network SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 160 / SiriusXM 193 / SiriusXM 371 SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 371 / SiriusXM 955 Boston College and Louisville will face off for the 18th time on Saturday, with the Cardinals having won the past two matchups. The Eagles look to snap a six-game losing streak and secure their first ACC victory of the season. Boston College averages 372.6 total yards per game, including 272.4 through the air—seventh in the ACC and 29th nationally—but is surrendering 397.3 total yards per game, including 256.3 via the passing game. Wide receiver Lewis Bond leads the ACC and ranks sixth nationally in receptions (7.1 per game) while sitting sixth in the league with 505 receiving yards. Louisville returns home following a 24–21 upset of No. 2 Miami, marking its second-ever win over a No. 2 team and sixth road victory against a ranked opponent. Wideout Chris Bell has been on a tear with three straight 100-yard games, recording 31 catches for 441 yards and five touchdowns in that stretch. The Cardinals’ defense has been among the nation’s best, ranking third nationally in first downs allowed, sixth in interceptions, 20th in passing defense, 22nd in rushing defense and 10th in total defense.