CHARLOTTE, N.C. (theACC.com) – Week 10 of Atlantic Coast Conference football opens Friday night with a pivotal matchup as Virginia Tech travels to SMU for a 7 p.m. ET kickoff on ESPN. The Hokies and Mustangs are two of the ACC’s seven teams with at least four Power Four victories, and both enter the weekend firmly in the mix as the conference race reaches its final stretch.
Virginia Tech brings a 6-2 record and one of the nation’s most disruptive defenses into Dallas, while SMU returns home at 6-2 looking to rebound from last week’s three-point road loss at Syracuse. The matchup features a compelling contrast between the Hokies’ pressure-driven defense and an SMU offense that ranks among the nation’s most explosive, setting the stage for a key Friday-night ACC showdown.
The Friday night contest kicks off a Saturday slate featuring seven games, highlighted by No. 1 Miami’s road showdown at No. 11 Notre Dame on NBC and Peacock. Conference matchups include Clemson at Syracuse, Florida State at Boston College, Duke at NC State and Louisville at Georgia Tech, while North Carolina travels to UConn and No. 16 Wake Forest hosts Merrimack.
Friday, November 6
Virginia Tech at SMU | 7 p.m. ET
Series: SMU leads series, 2-1
Last meeting: SMU, 28-25 (1974)
TV: ESPN
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 84 / SiriusXM 258
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 84 / SiriusXM 258
- SMU leads the all-time series 2-1, with the programs last meeting in 1974. The Mustangs have won the last two meetings and own a 75-44 scoring advantage in the series.
- SMU enters at 6-2 overall and 4-2 in ACC play, while Virginia Tech is 6-2 overall and 3-2 in league play. An SMU win would move the Mustangs to 5-2 in conference play; a Virginia Tech victory would pull the Hokies to 4-2 and tighten an already crowded race for the two ACC Championship Game berths.
- SMU is No. 24 in the USA Today Coaches Poll and receiving votes in the AP Poll. Virginia Tech is receiving votes in both polls, including 53 points in the Coaches Poll.
- SMU’s two losses came on the road by a combined 13 points, while Virginia Tech’s two losses have come by a combined seven points.
- Virginia Tech enters the Friday night contest off of consecutive victories and an open week.
- The Hokies are one of only seven FBS teams with three Power 4 true road wins this season. Every Virginia Tech road game this season has come against a Power 4 opponent.
- The Hokies rank No. 1 nationally in tackles-for-loss, No. 6 in sacks and No. 12 in rushing defense. They are one of only five FBS teams in the national top 10 in both tackles-for-loss and sacks.
- VT quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer ranks No. 7 nationally in completion percentage (71.4), No. 9 in completions per game, No. 17 in passing yards and No. 19 in passing touchdowns (17). Virginia Tech ranks No. 5 nationally in team completion percentage and No. 8 in fewest interceptions thrown.
- SMU returns home looking to respond after a three-point road loss at Syracuse last weekend.
- SMU is 5-0 at Gerald J. Ford Stadium this season and are 11-0 in ACC home games since joining the conference in 2024.
- The Mustangs are one of only six FBS teams ranked among the top 26 nationally in both total offense and total defense. SMU also ranks No. 3 nationally in third-down defense and is among the top 15 in total offense, passing offense and yards per play.
- SMU’s Kevin Jennings ranks No. 7 nationally in passing yards per game (301.8), No. 7 in passing touchdowns (21), No. 3 in completion percentage (73.7) and No. 4 in passing efficiency. He is SMU’s career leader in passing yards and passing touchdowns.
Purchase Tickets and Premium Hospitality Options Today
- Tickets for the 2026 ACC Football Championship Game are on sale now and can be purchased through theACC.com and Ticketmaster.
- Groups of 20 or more can take advantage of exclusive pricing and special on-field experiences. For group benefits and pricing, visit theACC.com/FCG or email tickets@theacc.org.
- Premium hospitality options provide fans with an elevated gameday experience. To learn more or secure premium seating, visit the ACC Football Championship page.
- Registix Reserve is a field-level experience featuring VIP club access, a parking pass, private entrance, exclusive access to an all-inclusive culinary experience in a climate-controlled lounge and postgame field access. The experience is available from gate opening through the conclusion of the championship awards ceremony.
- Gridiron Club is a club-level shared-suite experience that includes reserved seating and all-inclusive food and beverage. The experience is available from gate opening through the conclusion of the championship awards ceremony.
- Pregame Field Passes provide field access beginning 90 minutes before kickoff through the final 25 minutes of the pregame clock.
- Postgame Field Access provides fans the opportunity to experience the championship awards ceremony from a designated on-field area.
Fan Fest
- ACC Football fans of all ages can take part in Championship Saturday weekend festivities throughout the Queen City, including Fan Fest at Romare Bearden Park.
- The free, two-day event will be open Friday, December 4, from 4-10 p.m. ET and Saturday, December 5, from 8-11:30 a.m. ET. Fan Fest will reopen following the game and remain open until 8 p.m. ET.
- Fans can enjoy appearances by all 17 ACC Football mascots, a Friday night concert, games, giveaways, food trucks, a beer garden and more. ACC Network will also broadcast ACC PMlive from Fan Fest on Friday afternoon.
- Additional Fan Fest activities include:
- Appearances by ACC Network personalities
- Participating team band performances
- QB Challenge, field goal kick and football pong
- Tailgate games, photo opportunities and giveaways
- ACC Football Championship Game merchandise available from Event1
- Extra Yard for Teachers Foundation activation
- Championship game viewing on LED screens
Additional event information will be announced in the coming weeks. Fans are encouraged to secure their seats now and make plans to join the ACC in Charlotte for Championship Saturday.