Football

Week 11 Saturday Preview: Saturday Slate Features Championship Implications Across the ACC

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (theACC.com) – The race to Charlotte takes center stage Saturday, November 14, as eight ACC matchups highlight a pivotal Week 11 slate. The noon ET window features four of the conference’s one- and two-loss teams, with Duke traveling to No. 7 Miami on ABC and No. 13 Wake Forest visiting SMU on ESPN.
 
Miami enters the weekend with an opportunity to clinch its place in the 2026 ACC Football Championship Game. The Hurricanes can secure a berth with a win over Duke, a Louisville loss at North Carolina and either a Clemson loss to Georgia Tech or an SMU loss to Wake Forest.
 
Duke at Miami and Wake Forest at SMU headline an afternoon that also includes Syracuse at NC State, Georgia Tech at Clemson, Boston College at No. 5 Notre Dame, California at Virginia, Louisville at North Carolina and Stanford at Virginia Tech.
 
The 2026 ACC Football Championship Game is set for Saturday, December 5, at noon ET on ABC from Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. The game will match the ACC’s top two teams in the only Power Four conference championship game in the noon window.
 
The contest will mark the final annual ACC Football Championship Game, closing a tradition that began in 2005. It will air on ABC for the 14th consecutive season and the 18th time overall, while Charlotte will host for the 15th time in the past 16 years.
 
 
Saturday, November 7
Duke at #7 Miami | Noon ET
Series: Miami leads series, 16-5
Last meeting: Miami, 53-31 (2024)
TV: ABC
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 84 / SiriusXM 262
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 84 / SiriusXM 972
  • No. 7 Miami (8-1, 6-0 ACC) hosts Duke (7-2, 4-2 ACC) Saturday at noon ET on ABC. The Hurricanes remain squarely in the CFP race at No. 7 in the Selection Committee rankings, while Duke brings one of the ACC’s strongest two-loss resumes to Hard Rock Stadium.
  • Miami and Duke meet for the 22nd time Saturday, with the Hurricanes holding a 16-5 all-time series advantage. Miami won the most recent meeting, 53-31, at Hard Rock Stadium in 2024, though Duke claimed a 45-21 road victory in the previous matchup in 2022. Saturday marks Duke’s third straight trip to Miami in the series.
  • Miami can clinch a berth in the 2026 ACC Football Championship Game with a win, a Louisville loss at North Carolina, and either a Clemson loss to Georgia Tech or an SMU loss to Wake Forest. Duke needs a road win to keep its path to Charlotte—and the conference’s top two—alive entering the final two weeks.
  • Miami and Duke are two of four ACC teams entering Week 11 with two losses or fewer. Miami owns six Power Four wins, while Duke has five, including three true-road P4 victories.
  • Duke head coach Manny Diaz returns to the program he led from 2019-21, compiling a 21-15 record and leading the Hurricanes to a 2020 bowl victory.
  • The Blue Devils bring one of the nation’s most complete defenses to Miami, ranking No. 5 nationally in scoring defense, No. 11 in total defense and No. 3 in third-down defense. Duke is one of only six FBS teams ranked in the top 15 in scoring, rushing and total defense.
  • Blue Devil running back and Heisman candidate Nate Sheppard leads the FBS with 21 total touchdowns, 126 points and 14.0 points per game. He ranks No. 2 nationally with 1,189 rushing yards and 132.1 rushing yards per game.
  • The Blue Devils have dominated their last two games, outscoring Boston College and NC State by a combined 88-5 in consecutive victories, holding both opponents without a touchdown while scoring at least 40 points in each game.
  • Miami is coming off its first loss of the season, a 31-24 road loss at then-No. 11 Notre Dame without Heisman candidate Malachi Toney.
  • Miam leads the FBS in scoring offense at 45.0 points per game and rushing defense at 64.3 yards per game.
  • Miami quarterback Darian Mensah faces his former program after starring at Duke in 2025. He enters the game leading the FBS in passing efficiency (190.8) and Total QBR (89.1), while his 76.8 completion percentage leads the nation.
  • Miami receiver Cooper Barkate also spent last season at Duke, where he was Mensah’s top target and earned second-team All-ACC recognition. The pair transferred to Miami in the offseason after leading Duke to an ACC Championship in 2025.
 
 
Saturday, November 14
#13 Wake Forest at SMU | Noon ET
Series: SMU leads series, 3-1
Last meeting: Wake Forest, 13-12 (2025)
TV: ESPN
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 80 / SiriusXM 82 / SiriusXM 180 / SiriusXM 236
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 80 / SiriusXM 82 / SiriusXM 960
  • No. 13 Wake Forest (8-1, 5-1 ACC) travels to SMU (7-2, 5-2 ACC) for a noon ET kickoff on ESPN. The matchup brings together two of the ACC’s four one- and two-loss teams and will play a major role in the race for the two spots in the 2026 ACC Football Championship Game.
  • Wake Forest and SMU meet for just the fifth time Saturday, with the Mustangs holding a 3-1 all-time advantage. The Demon Deacons won last year’s meeting, 13-12, on a walk-off 50-yard field goal by Connor Calvert in Winston-Salem—snapping SMU’s three-game series winning streak. Saturday marks Wake Forest’s first trip to Dallas since 1972.
  • Wake Forest is No. 13 in the CFP Selection Committee rankings, has won six straight games and is one of only seven FBS teams with six Power Four victories. The Demon Deacons own four P4 road wins—including a top-20 win at Louisville—and their only loss came to No. 7 Miami.
  • Wake Forest ranks No. 4 nationally in scoring offense (43.3 points per game) and No. 9 in total offense (487.7 yards per game). Wake Forest averages 311.9 passing yards per game, which ranks 10th nationally.
  • The Demon Deacons rank No. 13 nationally in scoring defense (15.9 points per game), No. 24 in total defense (310.0 yards per game) and No. 8 in rushing defense (85.0 yards per game).
  • Wake Forest ranks No. 13 nationally in red-zone offense, scoring on 93.5 percent of its opportunities. The Demon Deacons are also ninth nationally on third down at 51.4 percent.
  • Wake Forest’s Gio Lopez has totaled 2,176 passing yards, 18 touchdown passes and just one interception, while adding 318 rushing yards.
  • Wake receiver Carlos Hernandez has 945 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, while Ty Clark III leads the Deacs with eight rushing scores.
  • A win would move SMU to 6-2 in league play and strengthen an already strong resume built on five Power Four victories. The Mustangs’ two losses came on the road by a combined 13 points, and they enter the week No. 32 in ESPN’s FPI.
  • SMU is No. 19 in scoring offense (37.0) and No. 11 in total offense (478.6). SMU averages 323.8, which ranks sixth nationally.
  • The Mustangs are one of just seven FBS teams ranked in the top 30 nationally in both total offense and total defense. SMU allows 319.8 yards per game, 27th nationally, and 193.9 passing yards per game.
  • SMU’s Kevin Jennings has thrown for 2,764 yards and 25 touchdowns while completing 73.9 percent of his passes.
  • SMU counters with 10-touchdown rusher Kendrick Raphael and Yamir Knight, who has 626 receiving yards and six touchdowns.
  • SMU has been excellent on both sides of third down, converting 47.7% of its opportunities offensively (53-of-111) while allowing opponents to convert just 29.9% (38-of-127).
 
 
Saturday, November 14
Syracuse at NC State | Noon ET
Series: NC State leads series, 13-4
Last meeting: Syracuse, 24-17 (2024)
TV: ACC Network
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 175 / SiriusXM 234 / SiriusXM 258
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 258 / SiriusXM 958
  • Syracuse (4-5, 2-4 ACC) and NC State (4-5, 2-4 ACC) both enter Saturday’s noon ACC Network matchup at 4-5, making this a pivotal game for two teams seeking the six-win mark. The Wolfpack are 4-2 at home this season, while Syracuse owns a road win at North Carolina.
  • Syracuse and NC State meet for the 18th time Saturday, with the Wolfpack holding a 13-4 all-time edge. The Orange have won the past two meetings, including a 24-17 road victory in Raleigh in 2024, and will look for their first three-game winning streak in the series.
  • The Wolfpack return to Carter-Finley Stadium looking to respond after last week’s loss to Duke. Syracuse enters following an 18-13 setback to Clemson at home.
  • Syracuse ranks No. 32 nationally in total offense at 430.1 yards per game and No. 22 in passing offense at 273.9 yards per game. The Orange average 29.3 points per contest and have eclipsed 400 yards of offense in five games.
  • Syracuse’s Steve Angeli has passed for 1,449 yards and eight touchdowns in six games.
  • Syracuse receiver Umari Hatcher ranks among the ACC’s most productive pass catchers with 62 receptions for 964 yards and eight touchdowns. He is averaging more than 107 receiving yards per game and gives the Orange a premier downfield option.
  • Syracuse averages 156.2 rushing yards per game behind Tylik Hill and Ahmad Miller. Hill leads the team with 531 rushing yards, while Miller is coming off a 101-yard effort against Clemson.
  • Syracuse defensive ends Tunmise Adeleye and Keyshawn Johnson have combined for 13 sacks, tied for the fifth most by a Power Four teammate duo.
  • The Wolfpack average 387.0 yards and 28.9 points per game, with a balanced profile of 242.2 passing yards and 144.8 rushing yards per game.
  • NC State’s C.J. Bailey has thrown for 2,078 yards, 13 touchdowns and only four interceptions.
  • The Wolfpack rank No. 28 nationally in third-down defense, allowing opponents to convert just 33.3 percent of their opportunities. 
 
 
Saturday, November 14
Georgia Tech at Clemson | 12:30 p.m. ET
Series: Georgia Tech leads series, 51-36-2
Last meeting: Georgia Tech, 24-21 (2025)
TV: The CW
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 178 / SiriusXM 235 / SiriusXM 266
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 959 / SiriusXM 976
  • Georgia Tech (2-7, 1-5 ACC) and Clemson (6-3, 4-2 ACC) meet for the 90th time in a series dating to 1898. The Yellow Jackets hold a 51-36-2 all-time advantage, but Clemson owns a 17-6 edge in games played at Memorial Stadium.
  • Georgia Tech snapped a nine-game skid in the series with a 24-21 win over then-No. 12 Clemson last season. A Yellow Jacket win Saturday would give Tech consecutive wins over Clemson for the first time since 2008-09.
  • GT quarterback Alberto Mendoza has thrown for 1,943 yards and 11 touchdowns, while Justice Haynes leads the Yellow Jackets with 635 rushing yards. Haynes returned to form last week with 87 rushing yards against Louisville and ranks among the nation’s top 40 at 79.4 rushing yards per game.
  • Georgia Tech is the only FBS team with three underclassmen who have each recorded at least 30 receptions and 325 receiving yards: Jordan Allen (49 receptions, 576 yards), Kevin Roche Jr. (37, 332) and Dalen Penson (33, 500).
  • Clemson enters the contest at 6-3 overall and 4-2 in ACC play behind a defense allowing just 20.7 points and 334.9 yards per game. Clemson ranks No. 36 nationally against the run, allowing 122.3 rushing yards per game.
  • Clemson allows an FBS-low 3.46 yards per play on third down, a critical strength for a Tiger defense that has recorded at least three sacks in four consecutive games.
  • Clemson’s Ashton Hampton ranks No. 2 nationally with 14 passes defended, while Elliot Washington II is tied for second in the FBS with five interceptions.
  • Clemson kicker Nolan Hauser leads the nation with 27 made field goals and 3.00 field goals per game. He has already surpassed 1,000 yards of made field goals this season, the third-highest single-season total in the available Stats Perform data set dating to 1996.
  • Dabo Swinney will coach his 250th game as Clemson’s head coach. His 193 wins through 249 games rank among the best starts to a head-coaching career in FBS history, and a win would move him within one of Tom Osborne for the most victories through a coach’s first 20 seasons.
 
 
Saturday, November 14
Boston College at #5 Notre Dame | 3:30 p.m. ET
Series: Notre Dame leads series, 19-9
Last meeting: Notre Dame, 25-10 (2025)
TV: NBC/Peacock
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 272
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 982
  • Boston College (4-5, 2-4 ACC) and Notre Dame (8-1) meet for the 28th time Saturday in the annual matchup for the Frank Leahy Memorial Trophy. The Irish lead the all-time series, 19-9, and own a 9-5 advantage in games played in South Bend.
  • Notre Dame has won 10 consecutive meetings—the longest winning streak in series history—including a 25-10 victory at Boston College last season. The Eagles’ last win in the series came in 2008.
  • Boston College becomes one of only five FBS programs scheduled to play 11 games against Power Four opponents and Notre Dame this season. Saturday’s trip to South Bend is its final non-conference test in one of college football’s most challenging schedules.
  • Boston College’s 15 takeaways lead the ACC, while their 12 interceptions are tied for seventh-most nationally. Boston College also ranks second in the ACC in passing defense, allowing just 187.3 yards per game.
  • Boston College quarterback Mason McKenzie has accounted for more than 2,200 yards of total offense, including 1,616 passing yards and a team-leading 676 rushing yards. His 75.1 rushing yards per game lead all ACC quarterbacks.
  • Boston College averages 165.9 rushing yards per game, seventh in the ACC. Bo MacCormack III averages 5.04 yards per carry and is coming off a 105-yard, one-touchdown performance against Florida State.
  • The Fighting Irish rank No. 3 nationally in total defense (251.8 yards per game), No. 8 in passing defense (164.7), No. 9 in rushing defense (87.1) and No. 9 in scoring defense (14.6 points per game).
  • Notre Dame also ranks No. 9 nationally in scoring offense at 39.3 points per game and averages 439.3 yards of total offense per contest.
  • Quarterback C.J. Carr has thrown for 2,168 yards, 21 touchdowns and only one interception while completing 67.6 percent of his passes.
 
 
Saturday, November 14
California at Virginia | 3:30 p.m. ET
Series: Virginia leads series, 1-0
Last meeting: Virginia, 31-25 (2025)
TV: ACC Network
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 175 / SiriusXM 234 / SiriusXM 258
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 258 / SiriusXM 958
  • California (3-6, 2-4 ACC) and Virginia (4-5, 2-4 ACC) meet for just the second time. Virginia won the inaugural matchup, 31-21, in Berkeley last season, and Saturday marks Cal’s first trip to Scott Stadium. Both teams enter the game at 2-4 in ACC play and coming off a bye week.
  • Cal ranks No. 20 nationally in passing offense at 275.3 yards per game, while Virginia’s defense ranks No. 33 nationally against the pass, allowing 189.1 yards per contest.
  • Virginia averages 145.4 rushing yards per game, while Cal has allowed 184.6 rushing yards per contest.
  • Golden Bear quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele has thrown for 1,751 yards and 11 touchdowns, while receiver Chase Hendricks has a team-best 61 receptions, 565 yards and four touchdowns.
  • California leads the ACC and ranks No. 14 nationally with two defensive touchdowns this season. Kingston Lopa returned an interception for a score against Syracuse, while Kamar Mothudi added a scoop-and-score against Clemson.
  • Cal defensive back Kingston Lopa is tied for second nationally with five interceptions.
  • The Cavaliers lead the ACC in opponent completion percentage, limiting offenses to 53.8 percent, and rank third in the league in passing defense at 189.7 yards per game.
  • Virginia quarterback Beau Pribula has thrown for 1,587 yards, 14 touchdowns and only three interceptions while completing 65.6 percent of his passes.
  • Jekail Middlebrook leads the Cavaliers with 513 rushing yards and four touchdowns, while Da’Shawn Martin has emerged as a red-zone target with six receiving touchdowns.
  • Virginia punter Daniel Sparks leads the FBS with a 50.8-yard average per punt, a valuable weapon in what could be a possession-driven matchup between two teams looking to finish their seasons strongly.
 
 
Saturday, November 14
Louisville at North Carolina | 7 p.m. ET
Series: Louisville leads series, 5-3
Last meeting: Louisville, 47-35 (2017)
TV: ESPN2 
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 180 / SiriusXM 235 / SiriusXM 265
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 959 / SiriusXM 975
  • Louisville (6-3, 5-2 ACC) visits North Carolina (5-4, 2-3) Saturday at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2. Both teams are coming off wins: the Cardinals beat Georgia Tech, 44-17, while the Tar Heels won 38-21 at UConn.
  • Louisville leads the all-time series, 5-3, and won the most recent meeting, 47-35, in Chapel Hill in 2017.
  • The Cardinals have won four straight, outscoring opponents 174-87 during the streak and averaging 43.5 points per game.
  • Louisville ranks sixth nationally in scoring offense (40.8 ppg), eighth in total offense (488.1 ypg) and eighth in rushing offense (228.0 ypg).
  • Quarterback Lincoln Kienholz has thrown for 2,276 yards and 14 touchdowns with a 67.8 completion percentage and only three interceptions.
  • Louisville has scored at least 34 points in each of its last four games and topped 40 points in six of nine contests this season.
  • North Carolina is seeking bowl eligibility in Bill Belichick’s first season and has won three of its last five games, including road victories at Pitt, Duke and UConn.
  • Tar Heel quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. has thrown for 2,127 yards and is coming off a two-game stretch of 596 passing yards and seven touchdowns against Miami and UConn.
  • North Carolina averages 27.1 points and 352.9 yards per game, including 238.7 passing yards per contest—setting up a matchup with a Louisville defense allowing 265.9 passing yards per game.
  • The Tar Heels allow 22.8 points per game and have held five opponents to 21 points or fewer, including conference road wins at Pitt and Duke.
 
 

Saturday, November 14
Stanford at Virginia Tech | 7:30 p.m. ET
Series: Series tied, 1-1
Last meeting: Virginia Tech, 31-7 (2024)
TV: ACC Network
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 175 / SiriusXM 234 / SiriusXM 258
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 258 / SiriusXM 958
  • Stanford (4-5, 2-4 ACC) travels to Blacksburg for the first time in program history to face Virginia Tech (6-3, 3-3 ACC) on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET on ACC Network. It marks Stanford’s first-ever trip to Blacksburg.
  • Saturday marks the third all-time meeting between Stanford and Virginia Tech, with the series tied at 1-1. The Hokies won the most recent matchup, 31-7, at Stanford in 2024, while the Cardinal earned a 40-12 victory in the 2011 Orange Bowl.
  • Stanford returns to action following its final bye week of the season, looking to snap a 15-game road losing streak. The Cardinal's last road victory came in its ACC debut, a 26-24 win at Syracuse on September 20, 2024.
  • The Cardinal have recorded four victories this season, including ACC wins over Georgia Tech (34-27) and NC State (31-28). Stanford can secure its first bowl eligibility since 2018 by winning two of its final three regular-season games.
  • Stanford is averaging 358.7 yards of total offense per game, including 249.9 passing yards and 108.8 rushing yards. The Cardinal average 20.3 points per contest.
  • Stanford's defense is allowing 454.4 yards and 37.3 points per game, including 199.7 rushing yards per contest.
  • Virginia Tech has been particularly effective at Lane Stadium this season, averaging 46.0 points per game in four home contests. Virginia Tech is 3-1 at home, compared to Stanford's 0-4 record in true road games.
  • Virginia Tech ranks among the nation's top 15 in passing offense, averaging 285.1 yards per contest.
  • Virginia Tech's defense is allowing just 340.0 yards and 23.9 points per game, including 107.3 rushing yards per contest. The Hokies rank among the nation's top 25 in rushing defense.
  • The Hokies have already secured bowl eligibility for the 2026 season and enter Saturday looking for their seventh victory. Virginia Tech has won three of its last five contests, including consecutive ACC victories over Georgia Tech and Clemson in October.