Miami Athletic Communications Football September 19, 2025 Week 4 Saturday Preview: ACC Action Features Rivalries, First-Time Meetings and Six Unbeatens CHARLOTTE, N.C. (theACC.com) – The Atlantic Coast Conference rolls into Week 4 on Saturday, September 20, with rivalries, conference tests and first-time meetings on the 11-game slate. National focus will be on Coral Gables, Florida, where ESPN’s College GameDay Built by The Home Depot and ACC Network’s ACC Huddle set the stage for Miami’s primetime matchup with Florida. The Hurricanes are one of six unbeaten ACC teams taking the field this weekend. Conference play features NC State at Duke in the 86th meeting of the rivals, Clemson hosting Syracuse, and Stanford at Virginia in the Cavaliers’ ACC opener. Four first-time meetings highlight the schedule as Florida State faces Kent State, North Carolina visits UCF, Louisville hosts Bowling Green, and Stanford meets Virginia. Rivalries also add intensity with NC State-Duke, Miami-Florida and SMU-TCU in the Battle for the Iron Skillet all taking place on a jam-packed Saturday of college football. Syracuse at Clemson | Noon ET Series: Clemson leads series, 10-2-0 Last meeting: Clemson, 31-14 (2023) TV: ESPN SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 84 / SiriusXM 371 SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 84 / SiriusXM 371 Clemson enters Saturday’s matchup with Syracuse holding a 10-2 all-time record in the series, including six straight victories since 2018 and a perfect 5-0 mark at home against the Orange. The Tigers (1-2) look to rebound following a Week 3 last-second road loss at Georgia Tech, while Syracuse (2-1) rides momentum from back-to-back wins after dropping its season opener to then-No. 24 Tennessee in the Aflac Kickoff Game in Atlanta. Orange quarterback Steve Angeli leads the nation with 1,072 passing yards (357.3 per game), and wide receiver Darrell Gill Jr. highlighted last week’s win over Colgate with six catches for 152 yards and two touchdowns. Clemson’s offensive line ranks second in the ACC and fifth nationally in limiting tackles-for-loss (2.67 per game), while on special teams, opponents have managed zero kickoff return yards and a net of -0.5 yards per punt return. Offensively, wide receiver Bryant Wesco Jr. has emerged as a key weapon for the Tigers, posting back-to-back 100-yard receiving games—the first Clemson player to accomplish the feat since 2020. SMU at TCU | Noon ET Series: TCU leads series, 53-43-7 Last meeting: SMU, 66-42 (2024) TV: ESPN2 SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 382 SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 972 SMU and TCU renew one of college football’s oldest rivalries on Saturday in the Battle for the Iron Skillet, a series that has been played nearly every year since 1915. The Mustangs took last year’s meeting in a 66-42 shootout and enter this matchup at 2-1 following a 28-10 road win at Missouri State. Running back TJ Harden has been a key spark, scoring five touchdowns over the last two games, while SMU has also won 10 straight regular-season road contests, tied for the second-longest streak in school history. Quarterback Kevin Jennings (4,904 career yards) is just 88 yards shy of cracking the program’s top 10 in passing yards and already sits tied for ninth with 35 career touchdown passes. Defensively, the Mustangs have forced multiple takeaways in all three games this season and in nine of their last 16 overall. TCU comes in at 2-0 and looks to complete an undefeated non-conference slate for the first time since 2022 and just the third time in the last decade. The Horned Frogs have lit up the scoreboard early, ranking 14th nationally in scoring offense at 45.0 points per game. Bowling Green at Louisville | Noon ET Series: First Meeting TV: ACC Network SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 137 / SiriusXM 193 SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 955 Louisville returns to action on Saturday with its first-ever meeting against Bowling Green. The Cardinals (2-0) are coming off an open week following their September 5 win over James Madison and look to extend their six-game winning streak against Group of Five opponents. Louisville is 14-3 versus Group of Five competition in the College Football Playoff era. Running back Isaac Brown leads the Cardinals’ offense with seven career 100-yard rushing games, including 104 yards in the victory over James Madison. Defensively, Louisville has been among the nation’s best to start the season, ranking eighth nationally and second in the ACC in fewest first downs allowed (29), while leading the league and standing seventh nationally in passing defense (106.5 yards per game). Bowling Green (2-1) enters the contest with home wins over Liberty and Lafayette and is coming off a 7-6 campaign that included a 6-2 MAC record and the program’s third consecutive bowl appearance. Linebacker Dorian Pringle has anchored the defense this season, standing as the only player in the nation with 25+ tackles, 6.0+ tackles-for-loss and an interception this season. He ranks fourth nationally with 6.0 TFLs. Wofford at Virginia Tech | Noon ET Series: Virginia Tech leads series, 1-0-0 Last Meeting: Virginia Tech, 27-7 (2022) TV: ACCNX SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 138 / SiriusXM 194 SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 956 Virginia Tech takes the field Saturday for its first game under interim head coach Philip Montgomery, who assumed the role on September 14. Montgomery previously spent eight years as the head coach at Tulsa from 2015-22, going 43-53 overall. The Hokies enter at 0-3 following early-season setbacks to South Carolina, Vanderbilt and Old Dominion and will close non-conference play this weekend before opening ACC action September 27 at NC State. Defensively, Caleb Woodson has been a bright spot, averaging 8.0 tackles per game to rank eighth in the ACC. Wofford (0-3) heads to Blacksburg after a series of narrow losses, falling by a combined six points with one-point road defeats to South Carolina State and Mercer. The Terriers finished 5-7 last season, highlighted by a win over a ranked FCS opponent in Richmond. North Carolina at UCF | 3:30 p.m. ET Series: First Meeting TV: FOX SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 83 SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 83 North Carolina and UCF will face off for the first time ever on Saturday. The programs were originally set to meet in 2018 and 2020, but both games were canceled due to Hurricane Florence and the COVID-19 pandemic. UNC enters the matchup with momentum, having not allowed a touchdown in consecutive games for the first time since 2012. Linebacker Mikai Gbayor earned ACC Linebacker of the Week honors after tallying six tackles, a strip sack, and a fumble return touchdown in the win over Richmond last week. Freshman running back Demon June also impressed, breaking off a 50-yard run—the longest by a UNC freshman since 2022—and finishing with 148 rushing yards, the most by a Tar Heel freshman since 2017. UCF comes in 2-0 on the season and off an open week after wins over Jacksonville State and North Carolina A&T. The Knights have yet to allow a first-half point this season, joining BYU and Texas Tech as the only FBS teams to accomplish that feat. Kent State at #7 Florida State | 3:30 p.m. ET Series: First Meeting TV: ACC Network SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 84 SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 84 Florida State and Kent State will meet for the first time on Saturday, with the Seminoles (3-0) returning from an open date ranked No. 7 in the Week 4 AP Top 25. FSU is just the fourth team in the AP poll era to go from unranked in the preseason to the top 10 by Week 4. The Seminoles lead the ACC in scoring offense (54.0 ppg, 3rd nationally), rushing offense (295.5 ypg, 6th), fewest penalties (3.50 per game, 8th) and scoring defense (10.0 ppg, 14th), making them the only Power 4 team to lead their conference in both scoring offense and scoring defense. Offensively, FSU is a perfect 5-for-5 on fourth downs this season. In their Week 2 win over East Texas A&M, they recorded 361 rushing yards and 368 passing yards—just the third time in program history they've topped 350 in both categories in a single game. Coincidentally, the last FBS team to achieve that was Kent State in 2020. The Golden Flashes are 1-2 this season under interim head coach Mark Carney. They opened the season with a 21-17 win over Merrimack, snapping a 21-game losing streak that dated back to September 16, 2023. NC State at Duke | 4 p.m. ET Series: Duke leads series, 43-37-5 Last Meeting: Duke, 29-19 (2024) TV: ESPN2 SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 137 / SiriusXM 193 / SiriusXM 383 SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 955 / SiriusXM 973 Saturday marks the 86th all-time meeting between in-state rivals Duke and NC State, with the Blue Devils holding a 43-37-5 edge in the series. With the two schools’ stadiums separated by just 22 miles between Wallace Wade Stadium and Carter-Finley Stadium, Duke has won four of the last five matchups. NC State enters the rivalry game at 3-0, fresh off a 34-24 ACC road win at Wake Forest. Running back Hollywood Smothers has been a standout performer, leading the ACC in both rushing yards (380) and rushing yards per game (126.7). He is the first NC State player with multiple 140+ yard rushing games in a season since Andre Brown in 2005. Duke, playing its Homecoming game, looks to snap a two-game losing streak but has won five straight games against in-state opponents. The Blue Devils have also won three consecutive ACC openers, including victories over Virginia (2022), No. 9 Clemson (2023), and North Carolina (2024). Defensively, Duke ranks ninth nationally in tackles-for-loss per game (9.0), but turnovers have been an issue. The Blue Devils have given the ball away seven times (five fumbles, two interceptions) while forcing just one turnover on the season. Temple at #18 Georgia Tech | 4:30 p.m. ET Series: Temple leads series, 1-0-0 Last Meeting: Temple, 24-2 (2019) TV: The CW SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 138 / SiriusXM 194 SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 956 Georgia Tech is off to a 3-0 start for the first time since 2016 and looks to stay perfect as it hosts Temple on Saturday. The Yellow Jackets will also be aiming for their first win over the Owls, who took the only previous meeting between the programs, 24-2, in 2019. The Yellow Jackets enter on a high note, having snapped a nine-game losing streak to Clemson last week for its first win over the Tigers since 2014. With the ranked win, Tech is 7-1 against AP-ranked opponents as an unranked team since Brent Key took over as head coach in October 2022, the most such wins in the FBS during that span. The Jackets have also won seven straight at Bobby Dodd Stadium — their longest home winning streak since 2016–17. Quarterback Haynes King continues to be a dual-threat weapon, tallying five career games with at least 100 yards passing and rushing — tied for the third most among active FBS players. Temple is 2-1 in its first season under head coach K.C. Keeler, who enjoyed significant success at Sam Houston. The Owls opened with two wins before falling 42-3 last week at home against No. 13 Oklahoma. Despite the loss, Temple has been efficient and disciplined on offense, going 10-for-10 in red-zone opportunities (8 TDs, 2 FGs) and remaining one of just nine FBS teams without a turnover this season. Florida at #4 Miami | 7:30 p.m. ET Series: Miami leads series, 30-27-0 Last Meeting: Miami, 41-17 (2024) TV: ABC SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 84 / SiriusXM 382 SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 84 / SiriusXM 972 Saturday’s matchup between Miami and Florida renews one of college football’s most storied rivalries, marking the 58th all-time meeting. Miami holds a narrow 30-27 edge in the series and looks to extend its lead at home, where the Gators haven’t won since 1985. The Hurricanes enter the game at 3-0 following a dominant 49-12 win over No. 18 South Florida. Quarterback Carson Beck, who is 2-0 in his career against Florida, leads the nation in completion percentage (79.3%) and ranks 11th in passing efficiency (185.7). On the defensive side, Miami ranks 15th nationally in rushing defense (75.0 ypg) and has yet to allow a fourth-down conversion (0-for-3). Florida (1-2) comes in looking to snap a two-game losing streak. Despite the recent setbacks, the Gators’ defense remains a strength—ranking 23rd nationally in rushing defense (87.0 ypg) and holding opponents under 20 points in seven straight games. The road ahead is challenging for Florida, with seven of its final nine games against AP Top-15 teams, including five in the top 10. Stanford at Virginia | 7:30 p.m. ET Series: First Meeting TV: ACC Network SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 137 / SiriusXM 193 / SiriusXM 371 SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 371 / SiriusXM 955 Stanford and Virginia will meet for the first time on Saturday night in Charlottesville, with both teams coming off strong performances in Week 3. The Cardinal (1-2) notched a 30-20 home win over Boston College in their ACC opener last weekend, giving interim head coach Frank Reich his first collegiate victory. Stanford has now opened each of its two seasons in the ACC with a 1-0 mark in conference play. Running back Micah Ford led the charge with a career-high 157 rushing yards and a touchdown—his second 100-yard game in three weeks. Defensively, Stanford has been opportunistic, scoring two defensive touchdowns this season—tied for the ACC lead and one of just 11 FBS teams with multiple defensive scores. Virginia (2-1) is coming off a dominant 55-16 home win over William & Mary, where the Cavaliers set a school record with 700 total yards of offense (379 rushing, 321 passing). Virginia is the only FBS team so far in 2025 with at least 800 rushing and 868 passing yards, according to Stats Perform. The offensive line has also been stellar—Virginia has yet to allow a sack this season, a feat it hasn’t achieved through three games since 2011. California at San Diego State | 10:30 p.m. ET Series: California leads series, 5-4-0 Last Meeting: California, 31-10 (2024) TV: CBS Sports Network SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 138 / SiriusXM 194 SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 956 California hits the road for its final non-conference game of the season Saturday night, taking on San Diego State in a battle of West Coast programs. The Golden Bears lead the all-time series 5-4 and have won three of the last four meetings, including a 31-10 victory last season in Berkeley. Cal enters the matchup 3-0 for the second consecutive year and has now started 3-0 or better five times in nine seasons under head coach Justin Wilcox. The Bears have been efficient in scoring opportunities, converting all 13 of their red-zone trips (10 touchdowns, 3 field goals). Defensively, Cal has been strong, ranking 18th nationally in rushing defense (82.3 yards per game) and 19th in scoring defense (10.7 points per game). San Diego State (1-1) comes in off an open week and kicked off the season with a 42-0 win over Stony Brook, snapping a six-game losing streak. The Aztecs rushed for over 200 yards in that game—a key metric for success, as they are 58-2 in their last 60 games when hitting the 200-yard mark on the ground.