CHARLOTTE, N.C. (theACC.com) – Following a historic opening weekend to the 2025 college football season, the Atlantic Coast Conference turns its attention to another full slate in Week 2, with 16 of its 17 teams in action on Saturday, September 6.
The day-long lineup spans more than 12 consecutive hours of football, highlighted by 15 total matchups, including five showdowns against peer Power 4 conference opponents and four games featuring teams ranked or receiving votes in the Associated Press (AP) or Coaches Top 25 polls. Once again, the ACC showcases the nation’s most competitive non-conference schedule, underscoring the league’s depth and national reach.
Record-Setting Week for ABC & ESPN, Powered by the ACC
The ACC fueled a historic opening weekend for ESPN with multiple record-breaking audiences. Sunday’s Miami–Notre Dame primetime clash averaged 10.8 million viewers and peaked at 11.8 million, while Saturday’s Florida State–Alabama showdown drew 10.7 million, the most-watched Week 1 mid-afternoon game ever, with a 12.9 million peak. The Clemson–LSU game delivered 10.4 million viewers, ranking as the sixth-most-watched Week 1 game on ABC, and peaked at 11.3 million viewers.
ABC’s Saturday tripleheader (Syracuse, Florida State, Clemson) averaged 7.8 million viewers, the best Kickoff Saturday tripleheader on record. The weekend closed with strong numbers, as Virginia Tech–South Carolina drew 5.4 million viewers (6.5 million peak) and TCU–North Carolina on Labor Day posted 6.1 million viewers with a peak of 8.1 million.
#11 Illinois at Duke | Noon ET
Series: Series tied, 1-1
Last meeting: Illinois, 28-14 (1965)
TV: ESPN
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 137 / SiriusXM 194
SiriusXM App:
SiriusXM 956
Duke and Illinois meet for the third time on Saturday, with the series tied 1-1. Their most recent matchup came in 1965, while the only previous meeting in Durham was in 1958, a 15-13 Duke victory.
The Blue Devils are aiming for their first win over a ranked opponent since the 2023 season opener, when they knocked off No. 9 Clemson, 28-7. Quarterback Darian Mensah impressed in his Duke debut last week against Elon, completing 27-of-34 passes (.794) for 389 yards and three touchdowns. His 389-yard performance ranks as the second-highest total by a Duke quarterback in a debut. The Blue Devils’ 45 points also marked their highest scoring output in a season opener since 2017.
Illinois enters with momentum after a commanding 52-3 victory over Western Illinois in Week 1. The Fighting Illini carry a five-game winning streak—tied with reigning national champion Ohio State for the longest active streak in the Big Ten—into Durham. Saturday marks Illinois’ first matchup against an ACC opponent since 2022, when they defeated Virginia 24-3. Wide receiver Hank Beatty also set a program single-game record with 133 punt return yards in the opener.
Virginia at NC State | Noon ET
Series: NC State leads, 37-22-1
Last meeting: NC State, 24-21 (2023)
TV: ESPN2
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 111 / SiriusXM 193 / SiriusXM 381
SiriusXM App:
SiriusXM 955 /
SiriusXM 971
NC State and Virginia meet Saturday in a rare non-conference matchup, the first between the two programs not counting in the ACC standings since 1948. The longtime league foes faced off annually from 1960-2003, but have met just seven times since conference expansion in 2004. Saturday also marks Virginia’s first trip to Raleigh since 2018.
The Wolfpack have controlled the recent series, winning three straight and five of the last six meetings. Quarterback CJ Bailey led the way in NC State’s season-opening win over East Carolina, throwing for 318 yards and a touchdown on 24-of-34 passing.
Virginia opened its season with an emphatic 48-7 victory over Coastal Carolina, piling up 454 yards of offense while limiting the Chanticleers to just 254. Wide receiver Cam Ross delivered a standout debut with seven receptions for 124 yards, a touchdown catch, and a kickoff return score. According to Stats Perform, Ross is the only ACC player in the last 30 seasons to record all four feats in the same game.
Central Michigan at Pitt | Noon ET
Series: First Meeting
TV: ESPNU
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 139 / SiriusXM 202
SiriusXM App:
SiriusXM 964
Pitt and Central Michigan will meet for the first time on Saturday.
The Panthers opened their season in dominant fashion with a 61-9 win over crosstown rival Duquesne. Quarterback Eli Holstein threw four touchdown passes, becoming the first Pitt QB to accomplish the feat since Kenny Pickett in 2021. Running back Desmond Reid added 147 all-purpose yards, highlighted by a 53-yard touchdown run and an 88-yard punt return score. Reid joined rare company as just the third ACC player in the last 30 years to record both a 50+ yard scrimmage touchdown and a 50+ yard return touchdown in a season opener (UNC’s Giovani Bernard in 2012, UNC’s Brandon Tate in 2008). On defense, All-American linebacker Kyle Louis anchored the effort with six tackles, three tackles-for-loss, and two sacks.
Central Michigan also opened with a victory, upsetting San Jose State on the road behind three field goals from Cade Graham. The Chippewas, who entered the contest as two-touchdown underdogs, continue their challenging start with their second of three straight road games to open the season.
East Texas A&M at #14 Florida State | Noon ET
Series: First Meeting
TV: ACC Network
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 145
SiriusXM App:
SiriusXM 145
Florida State opened the 2025 season as the center of the college football world, knocking off No. 8 Alabama, 31-17, in Tallahassee, Florida. The win marked the Seminoles’ first victory over a Top 10 opponent as an unranked team since 2007 and was powered by a dominant ground game that racked up 230 rushing yards—FSU’s highest total against a Top 10 foe since 2022. It also marked Alabama’s first non-conference regular-season road loss in more than two decades (since 2003) and gave the Seminoles their ninth SEC win in the last 10 seasons, the second-most nationally over that span.
Quarterback Tommy Castellanos impressed in his Seminole debut, passing for 152 yards while rushing for a team-high 78 yards and a touchdown. On defense, Daniel Lyons tallied a sack and forced fumble as FSU’s front generated three sacks against the Crimson Tide.
This week, Florida State hosts East Texas A&M, which dropped its opener 42-13 at SMU in its first matchup against an ACC opponent.
Baylor at #17 SMU | Noon ET
Series: Baylor leads, 39-36-7
Last meeting: Baylor, 40-13 (2016)
TV: The CW
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 80 / SiriusXM 82
SiriusXM App:
SiriusXM 80 /
SiriusXM 82
SMU and Baylor renew their longtime rivalry on Saturday, with the Bears holding a 39-36-7 edge in the all-time series. Baylor has won 13 straight in the matchup, and the Mustangs are seeking their first victory over the Bears since 1986.
The Mustangs opened 2025 in dominant fashion with a win over East Texas A&M, highlighted by two interception returns for touchdowns—their first game with multiple pick-sixes since 2016. Under head coach Rhett Lashlee, SMU is 4-0 in season openers and has won seven straight overall. The Mustangs have also thrived offensively under Lashlee, posting a 27-2 record when scoring 30 or more points.
Baylor enters Week 2 looking to rebound from a 14-point loss to Auburn. The Bears struggled to contain Auburn quarterback Jackson Arnold, who passed for 137 yards and added 108 rushing yards. Saturday will mark Baylor’s first matchup against an ACC opponent since 2018, when the Bears fell 40-27 to Duke in Waco.
UConn at Syracuse | Noon ET
Series: Syracuse leads, 7-6
Last meeting: Syracuse, 31-24 (2024)
TV: ACCNX
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 138 / SiriusXM 203
SiriusXM App:
SiriusXM 965
Syracuse and UConn continue their rivalry on Saturday, with the Orange riding a five-game winning streak over the Huskies dating back to 2012. Syracuse holds a slim 7-6 edge in the all-time series, which dates back to their days as Big East foes.
The Orange are looking to rebound after a hard-fought season-opening loss to No. 24 Tennessee in the Aflac Kickoff Game. Quarterback Steve Angeli impressed in his Syracuse debut with 274 passing yards and a touchdown, while receiver Johntay Cook II hauled in six catches for 58 yards and a score. Running back Yasin Willis powered the ground attack with 91 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
UConn opened its season with a commanding 59-13 win over Central Connecticut, building on the momentum of a strong 2024 campaign that saw the Huskies finish 9-4 and defeat North Carolina in the Wasabi Fenway Bowl. Last season, UConn faced four ACC opponents, posting a 1-3 record.
Western Carolina at Wake Forest | 2 p.m. ET
Series: Wake Forest leads, 3-0
Last meeting: Wake Forest, 40-24 (1991)
TV: ACCNX
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 386
SiriusXM App:
SiriusXM 976
Wake Forest looks to start 2-0 under new head coach Jake Dickert when it hosts Western Carolina on Saturday. The Demon Deacons are 3-0 all-time against the Catamounts, outscoring them 92-34 in the previous three meetings.
In last week’s season-opening win over Kennesaw State, Wake Forest’s defense held the Owls to just 149 passing yards and nine total points—its fewest points allowed in a game since October 2021. Offensively, the Deacs piled up nearly 350 yards, led by redshirt senior quarterback Robby Ashford, who threw for 218 yards on 20-of-28 passing and added a rushing touchdown on 18 carries.
Wake Forest has been dominant against FCS opponents, winning 19 straight games since 2000. Western Carolina enters looking to rebound after a 52-45 loss to Gardner-Webb in its opener. Running back Patrick Boyd Jr. was a bright spot, posting a career-high 142 rushing yards and a touchdown while averaging nearly nine and a half yards per carry.
Troy at #8 Clemson | 3:30 p.m. ET
Series: Clemson leads, 2-0
Last meeting: Clemson, 30-24 (2016)
TV: ACC Network
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 111 / SiriusXM 193
SiriusXM App:
SiriusXM 955
Clemson returns to Death Valley on Saturday to host Troy in non-conference play. The Tigers are 2-0 all-time against the Trojans.
Last week, Clemson opened its season against a Top 10 opponent for the third time in five years, falling just short in a 17-10 loss to No. 9 LSU. Under head coach Dabo Swinney, the Tigers are 37-10 in games following a loss. Quarterback Cade Klubnik threw for 230 yards on 19-of-38 passing, extending his streak of 200+ yards of total offense to 14 consecutive games, the longest in program history.
Troy comes in off a 38-20 win over Nicholls, rallying from an early 10-0 deficit behind a 28-point fourth quarter—one of just four teams nationally to post 28+ points in a quarter this season (along with WKU, USC, and BYU). Running back Tae Meadows carried the load with 186 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries, the 19th-highest single-game rushing total in Troy history.
Gardner-Webb at Georgia Tech | 3:30 p.m. ET
Series: Georgia Tech leads, 1-0
Last meeting: Georgia Tech, 10-7 (2008)
TV: ACCNX
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 137 / SiriusXM 194
SiriusXM App:
SiriusXM 956
Georgia Tech will host Gardner-Webb for only the second time in program history on Saturday afternoon at Bobby Dodd Stadium. The Yellow Jackets won the first meeting, 10-7, in 2008.
The Jackets come off a 27-20 season-opening win at Colorado on August 29, marking their second straight season-opening victory. Georgia Tech dominated the stat sheet, outgaining the Buffaloes in total yards (463-305), rushing yards (320-146), and first downs (27-19). Quarterback Haynes King made history in the opener, becoming just the second FBS player since 2000 to record 140+ passing yards, 140+ rushing yards, and three rushing touchdowns in a season opener, joining Jalen Hurts (Oklahoma, 2019).
Gardner-Webb started its 2025 campaign with a stunning 52-42 comeback win at No. 19 Western Carolina, erasing a 28-point deficit (35-7) for the largest come-from-behind victory in program history. Graduate quarterback Nate Hampton led the offense to 631 total yards on 88 plays, including 339 rushing yards, averaging 7.2 yards per play in the season opener.
Texas Southern at California | 6 p.m. ET
Series: First Meeting
TV: ACCNX
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 384
SiriusXM App:
SiriusXM 974
California returns to Berkeley on Saturday night for its 2025 home opener, hosting Texas Southern for the first time in program history at California Memorial Stadium.
The Golden Bears are riding momentum after a decisive 34-15 season-opening win at former Pac-12 rival Oregon State, their fourth straight season-opening victory. Cal has never lost to an FCS opponent, and the Bears will look to extend that streak against the visiting Tigers.
True freshman quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele made history in the opener, becoming the first Cal freshman signal-caller to start and win a season opener. He delivered an impressive debut, completing 20-of-30 passes for 234 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Bears’ offense.
Texas Southern enters the matchup following a heartbreaking 22-21 defeat to Prairie View A&M in the 40th Labor Day Classic on August 30. The Tigers, a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), have historically struggled against FBS opponents, being outscored by an average of 52-14 across their last 10 contests.
North Carolina at Charlotte | 7 p.m. ET
Series: North Carolina leads, 1-0
Last meeting: North Carolina, 38-20 (2024)
TV: ESPN+
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 137 / SiriusXM 194
SiriusXM App:
SiriusXM 956
North Carolina and Charlotte will square off for the second straight year when the 49ers host the Tar Heels on Saturday night. UNC claimed last year’s meeting with a 38-20 victory, but this time both programs enter with new leadership on the sidelines—Hall of Fame coach Bill Belichick in his debut season at North Carolina and Tim Albin in his first year guiding Charlotte.
In the Tar Heels’ season opener, quarterback Max Johnson tossed his first touchdown pass at UNC to his brother, tight end Jack Johnson, who also recorded his first receiving score as a Tar Heel.
Charlotte, meanwhile, will look to rebound after falling 34-11 to Appalachian State in the Duke’s Mayo Classic at Bank of America Stadium on August 30. Albin, who arrives after a successful four-year run at Ohio that included three 10-win seasons and a 2024 MAC Championship, is in his first year leading the 49ers.
The 49ers’ season opener saw UNC transfer Conner Harrell start under center. He completed 13-of-24 passes for 142 yards with one touchdown and one interception, while adding 22 yards on the ground.
Bethune-Cookman at #5 Miami | 7 p.m. ET
Series: Miami leads, 7-0
Last meeting: Miami, 48-7
TV: ACCNX
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 145
SiriusXM App:
SiriusXM 145
Miami puts its perfect record against in-state foe Bethune-Cookman on the line Saturday, entering the matchup 7-0 all-time versus the Wildcats, including a 48-7 victory last season in Miami Gardens.
The Hurricanes are riding high after a thrilling 27-24 win over No. 6 Notre Dame on August 31, their highest-ranked victory since 2017 (also against the Irish). Transfer quarterback Carson Beck impressed in his debut, completing 20-of-31 passes for 205 yards and two touchdowns to improve to 25-3 as a collegiate starter. Miami’s revamped defense set the tone as well, forcing two turnovers, recording three sacks, and limiting Notre Dame’s rushing attack to just 93 yards on 28 carries.
Bethune-Cookman opened its season with a 42-9 loss at FIU on August 29. Kicker Juan Dominguez provided all nine points, connecting on field goals from 35, 22, and 28 yards. The Wildcats were picked to finish fifth in the SWAC East after a 2-10 campaign in 2024, though five of those losses came by a single score.
Boston College at Michigan State | 7:30 p.m. ET
Series: Boston College leads, 5-1-1
Last meeting: Boston College, 23-19 (2024)
TV: NBC / Peacock
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 388
SiriusXM App:
SiriusXM 978
Boston College travels to East Lansing on Saturday seeking its third straight win over Michigan State and fifth in the last six meetings. The teams clashed a year ago in Chestnut Hill, where BC pulled out a dramatic 23-19 victory on a 42-yard touchdown catch by Lewis Bond with 1:28 remaining, followed by a Max Tucker interception in the end zone to seal the win.
The Eagles dominantly opened their 2025 campaign, rolling past Fordham 66-10. It was BC’s highest scoring output since a 76-0 win over Howard in 2015. Transfer quarterback Dylan Lonergan shined in his first career start, completing 26-of-34 passes for 268 yards and four touchdowns.
Michigan State also opened strong, defeating Western Michigan 23-6 on August 29. Now in his second season, head coach Jonathan Smith improved to 2-0 in season openers as the Spartans’ defense stifled WMU, allowing no offensive points and just 29 rushing yards on 24 attempts while recording four sacks and 12 tackles for loss. Offensively, Michigan State leaned on the ground game, rushing for 181 yards and two touchdowns.
Vanderbilt at Virginia Tech | 7:30 p.m. ET
Series: Virginia Tech leads, 6-4
Last meeting: Vanderbilt, 34-27 (ot) (2024)
TV: ACC Network
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 111 / SiriusXM 193
SiriusXM App:
SiriusXM 955
Virginia Tech kicks off its 2025 home slate on Saturday night under the lights at Lane Stadium, hosting Vanderbilt in a rematch of last season’s overtime thriller in Nashville. The Hokies fell 34-27 in that meeting but will look to flip the script in front of their home crowd.
The matchup marks Tech’s second straight game against SEC competition after opening the season versus No. 13 South Carolina in the Aflac Kickoff Game. Head coach Brent Pry has thrived in Lane Stadium openers, carrying a 3-0 record since taking over in 2022. In fact, the Hokies have won their first home game of the season every year since 2016, a streak that includes marquee ACC victories and a shutout win over Delaware in 2017.
Transfer wideout Donavon Greene provided an early spark in his Hokie debut, hauling in three catches for 94 yards against South Carolina. Each of his receptions went for 25+ yards, showcasing his big-play potential in Tech’s passing attack.
Vanderbilt enters off a 45-3 win over Charleston Southern, its fourth straight season-opening victory. The Hokies will aim to contain quarterback Diego Pavia, who piled up 319 total yards in the win, marking one of the top single-game efforts in Commodore history.
Stanford at BYU | 10:15 p.m. ET
Series: Stanford leads, 2-1
Last meeting: BYU, 35-26 (2022)
TV: ESPN
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 137 / SiriusXM 194
SiriusXM App:
SiriusXM 956
Stanford and BYU meet for the fourth time on Saturday and just the second time in Provo, with the Cardinal holding a 2-1 edge in the all-time series.
The Cardinal come into the matchup off an open week following their season opener at Hawai’i in Week 0. Running back Micah Ford powered the offense in that game, rushing for 113 yards on 26 carries with a 2-yard touchdown—his second career 100-yard performance. Ford’s score also snapped Stanford’s 20-game streak without a rushing touchdown by a running back, a drought dating back to 2023. Interim head coach Frank Reich’s commitment to the ground game was evident, as Stanford controlled possession for 36:07, its longest since 2019.
BYU enters fresh off a dominant 69-0 win over Portland State on August 30, piling up 606 yards of offense and nine total touchdowns. True freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier starred in his debut, accounting for five scores (three passing, two rushing). The Cougars also feature a familiar name—Bear’s brother, Tiger, a Stanford graduate who transferred to BYU after completing his degree in just two-and-a-half years.