North Carolina Athletics Football September 18, 2026 Week 3 Saturday Preview: ACC Football Saturday Slate Features 10 Matchups CHARLOTTE, N.C. (theACC.com) – ACC Football continues Week 3 with a full Saturday slate on September 19, featuring 10 games from noon through primetime, including four matchups against Power Four non-conference opponents, three conference contests and three nationally ranked ACC teams in action. Saturday’s schedule is highlighted by Florida State traveling to Tuscaloosa to face No. 10 Alabama at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC. The Seminoles’ contest with the Crimson Tide is one of four ACC non-conference games against Power Four opponents on Saturday, joining NC State at Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech at Maryland and No. 25 Virginia against West Virginia in the Duke’s Mayo Classic at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. Conference play features a ranked showdown between No. 16 SMU and No. 23 Louisville at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2. North Carolina visits Clemson at noon on ESPN in the ACC opener for both teams, while Stanford travels to face unbeaten Duke at 4 p.m. ET on The CW. The ACC enters Saturday looking to build on its success outside the conference after posting a 12-1 record in non-conference play during Week 2. Saturday, September 19 North Carolina at Clemson | Noon ET Series: Clemson leads series, 41-19-1 Last meeting: Clemson, 38-10 (2025) TV: ESPN SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 82 / SiriusXM 179 / SiriusXM 234 SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 82 / SiriusXM 958 Clemson has won seven straight meetings against North Carolina, a streak that includes victories in both the 2015 and 2022 ACC Football Championship Games. The Tigers lead the all-time series 41-19-1. Saturday’s noon ET contest on ESPN will serve as the ACC opener for both teams. Clemson was picked fourth in the ACC Football Preseason Poll, while North Carolina was selected 15th. Clemson evened its record at 1-1 with a 22-7 win over Georgia Southern in Week 2. The Tigers’ defense forced eight three-and-outs and held the Eagles to only 11 rushing yards. Clemson wide receiver T.J. Moore posted his fifth career 100-yard receiving game with seven receptions for 103 yards and a touchdown against Georgia Southern. Moore has recorded at least one reception in all 29 games of his Clemson career. Clemson defensive end Will Heldt was disruptive throughout the Tigers’ Week 2 win, finishing with 3.0 tackles-for-loss and 2.0 sacks, his first two-sack performance in a Clemson uniform. Clemson kicker Nolan Hauser was named ACC Specialist of the Week and a Lou Groza Award “Star of the Week” after connecting on all five of his field-goal attempts against Georgia Southern, including makes from 50 and 49 yards in the fourth quarter. North Carolina enters conference play at 2-0, coming off a 35-3 victory over East Tennessee State in its home opener. The Tar Heels have allowed just 13 points through their first two games. North Carolina running back Demon June rushed for three touchdowns against ETSU, recording the first multi-touchdown game of his career. The North Carolina defense forced multiple turnovers against ETSU, highlighted by defensive back Greg Smith recording both an interception and a fumble recovery. The Tar Heels limited the Buccaneers to 255 total yards and 77 rushing yards. North Carolina quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. has thrown for 476 yards through two games, including 244 yards and two touchdowns in the win over ETSU. Tight end Jelani Thurman leads the Tar Heels with 165 receiving yards after catching a 24-yard touchdown against the Buccaneers. Saturday, September 19 Mercer at Georgia Tech | Noon ET Series: Georgia Tech leads series, 14-1-1 Last meeting: Georgia Tech, 35-10 (2016) TV: ACC Network SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 113 / SiriusXM 236 SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 960 Georgia Tech and Mercer meet for the 17th time on Saturday, with the Yellow Jackets holding a 14-1-1 advantage in the all-time series. The programs are meeting for just the second time since 1938. The teams last met in 2016, when Georgia Tech earned a 35-10 victory over Mercer at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Georgia Tech looks to bounce back following a 45-24 loss to No. 18 Tennessee in Week 2. Running back Justice Haynes accounted for 117 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns against Tennessee, rushing for 81 yards on 14 carries while adding six receptions for 36 yards. Georgia Tech tight end Kevin Roche Jr. caught six passes against Tennessee, the most receptions by a Yellow Jacket tight end in a single game since 2000. The Yellow Jackets produced their first blocked-punt return touchdown in 22 years against Tennessee, as Trae Stevenson Jr. blocked the punt and Elgin Sessions returned it three yards for the score. Mercer enters Saturday at 2-1, opening the season with wins over East Texas A&M (23-15) and Presbyterian (62-3) before falling 20-13 to Furman in its Southern Conference opener last week. The Bears have been productive offensively through three games, averaging 438.0 yards and 32.7 points per contest, including 219.0 yards per game both rushing and passing. Mercer quarterback Jaylen King has thrown for 621 yards and five touchdowns through three games, while the Bears have averaged 6.8 yards per offensive play. Mercer's defense has been particularly effective on third down and in the red zone. Opponents have converted just 11-of-47 third downs (23.4 percent) and have scored on only one of five trips inside the Bears' red zone. Mercer has also intercepted five passes through three games. Saturday, September 19 NC State at Vanderbilt | 12:45 p.m. ET Series: Vanderbilt leads series, 2-1 Last meeting: NC State, 41-17 (2016 Independence Bowl) TV: SEC Network SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 180 / SiriusXM 235 SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 959 This will be just the second-ever regular-season meeting between NC State and Vanderbilt and the fourth meeting overall. The programs’ only previous regular-season matchup came in 1946, with the other two meetings coming in bowl games. NC State won the most recent meeting, defeating Vanderbilt 41-17 in the 2016 Independence Bowl. The Commodores won the 2012 Music City Bowl meeting and the inaugural matchup in 1946. The Wolfpack are coming off a historic 73-0 win over Richmond, setting program records with 734 yards of total offense, 428 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns. NC State’s 73 points were the most by the Wolfpack since 1936 and set a Carter-Finley Stadium record for points by any team. The Pack’s 10 total touchdowns were its most in a game since 1919. The Wolfpack had five different players score a rushing touchdown against Richmond, while 10 players recorded at least one rushing attempt. Duke Scott led the way with 126 yards and two touchdowns on just nine carries. NC State’s defense also recorded its first shutout since the 2021 season opener, limiting Richmond to just 110 total yards, including 34 on the ground. Vanderbilt enters Saturday 2-0 for the fifth consecutive season, its longest run of 2-0 starts since doing so five straight years from 1934-38. The Commodores have also won 10 consecutive home non-conference games. Five-star freshman quarterback Jared Curtis will make his first career start for Vanderbilt after helping rally the Commodores past Delaware in Week 2. Curtis completed 14-of-22 passes for 210 yards and a touchdown while adding two rushing scores in the 35-26 victory. Curtis became the first Vanderbilt freshman to account for three touchdowns in a game since 2022. His 19-yard touchdown pass to Walter Taylor was both Curtis’ first collegiate passing touchdown and Taylor’s first collegiate receiving score. Vanderbilt’s defense generated six sacks against Delaware, led by safety CJ Heard with a career-high 2.0 sacks and two forced fumbles. Miles Capers added a career-best 4.0 tackles-for-loss and 2.0 sacks as the Commodores consistently pressured the Delaware backfield. Saturday, September 19 Maine at Boston College | 2 p.m. ET Series: Boston College leads series, 7-3 Last meeting: Boston College, 38-17 (2022) TV: ACC Network Extra SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 123 / SiriusXM 248 SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 964 Boston College has won seven consecutive games against Maine dating back to 1929. The Eagles and Black Bears last met in 2022, when BC earned a 38-17 victory at Alumni Stadium. The Eagles are coming off a 28-21 victory over Rutgers in the 13th annual “Red Bandana Game,” honoring Boston College alumnus Welles Crowther, who lost his life while helping others during the September 11, 2001, attacks. Boston College linebacker Anthony Palano was named the Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week and ACC Linebacker of the Week following a standout performance against Rutgers. Palano recorded two interceptions, one sack, 2.0 tackles-for-loss and nine total tackles in the victory. Quarterback Mason McKenzie has provided a dual threat for the Eagles, throwing for 475 yards and two touchdowns while leading the team with 172 rushing yards and a score. McKenzie is one of only five FBS quarterbacks with at least 170 rushing yards this season. The Eagles will look to continue their success against FCS opponents. Boston College has won 17 consecutive games against FCS competition. Maine enters Saturday with a 1-2 record and is looking to snap a two-game skid. The Black Bears opened the season with a 21-18 road victory over Towson before dropping their next two contests. Saturday marks Maine’s second FBS matchup of the season. The Black Bears traveled to Appalachian State on September 5, falling 55-3 to the Mountaineers. Maine quarterback Carter Peevy has started all three games for the Black Bears and has thrown for 580 yards and three touchdowns, while also adding a rushing score. Defensively, the Black Bears are led by linebacker Christian Thomas, who has registered a team-high 25 tackles through three games, while Maine has totaled 15 tackles for loss as a team. Saturday, September 19 Florida State at #10 Alabama | 3:30 p.m. ET Series: Alabama leads series, 3-1-1 Last meeting: Florida State, 31-17 (2025) TV: ABC SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 269 / SiriusXM 270 SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 978 / SiriusXM 979 Saturday will mark Florida State’s first trip to Tuscaloosa since 1974. The Seminoles are seeking consecutive wins over Alabama after last year's victory in Tallahassee. Florida State opened the 2025 season with a 31-17 victory over then-No. 8 Alabama in Tallahassee. The Seminoles rushed for 230 yards in the win and held the Crimson Tide to 341 yards of total offense. Florida State head coach Mike Norvell has five regular-season non-conference victories over SEC opponents, the most by any head coach against SEC competition since 2020. After opening the season with a Week 0 win over New Mexico State, the Seminoles dropped a 27-24 thriller to No. 19 SMU in Week 1, with the Mustangs connecting on the game-winning field goal with 21 seconds remaining. Florida State has leaned on its ground game early, averaging 208.0 rushing yards per game. Ousmane Kromah leads the Seminoles at 115.5 rushing yards per contest and has eclipsed the 100-yard mark in both games this season. The Seminoles have generated pressure from throughout their defense, with nine different players recording at least a half-sack through two games. Florida State has totaled seven sacks as a team. Alabama enters Saturday 2-0 overall and 1-0 in SEC play after rolling to a 45-17 win over Kentucky in its conference opener. The Crimson Tide have scored at least 40 points in each of their first two contests. The Crimson Tide ground game has accounted for eight rushing touchdowns through two games, led by Daniel Hill with three scores and Ej Crowell and Trae’shawn Brown with two apiece. Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell has thrown for 444 yards through two games, averaging 222.0 passing yards per contest. The sophomore has also contributed on the ground as part of an Alabama offense averaging more than 400 total yards per game. Alabama's defense has forced four turnovers, recording two interceptions and recovering two fumbles, while allowing just 13.5 points per game through its first two contests. Saturday, September 19 #16 SMU at #23 Louisville | 3:30 p.m. ET Series: SMU leads series, 4-0 Last meeting: SMU, 38-6 (2025) TV: ESPN2 SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 80 / SiriusXM 81 / SiriusXM 179 / SiriusXM 234 SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 80 / SiriusXM 81 / SiriusXM 958 A Top-25 ACC showdown takes center stage Saturday afternoon, as No. 16 SMU travels to No. 23 Louisville for a 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff on ESPN2 at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium. SMU has won each of the last two meetings since joining the ACC, earning a 34-27 victory at Louisville in 2024 before defeating the Cardinals 38-6 in Dallas last season. Saturday marks the ACC opener for Louisville and the second conference contest for SMU. The Mustangs opened league play with a 27-24 road victory at Florida State on Labor Day, while Louisville enters conference action following non-conference games against Ole Miss and Villanova. Two of the ACC's top three offenses will square off, with SMU averaging 566.0 yards per game and Louisville averaging 552.0. The two teams have combined for 180 points and 2,236 yards of total offense through four games. The nation’s top two players in total offense will square off Saturday, as SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings leads all FBS players with 402.5 total yards per game, while Louisville quarterback Lincoln Kienholz ranks second at 375.0 yards per game. The ACC duo has combined for 1,555 yards of total offense and 15 total touchdowns through two games apiece this season. SMU enters the matchup 2-0, following its road win at Florida State with a convincing 56-10 victory over UC Davis in its home opener. The Mustangs have outscored their first two opponents 83-34. SMU has featured the ACC's top passing attack through two games, averaging 442.0 passing yards per contest while completing 77.9 percent of its passes with 10 touchdowns. The Mustangs will look to continue their recent success away from Dallas, having already earned a conference road victory at Florida State this season. Saturday is the second of SMU's first three games played on the road. Louisville has been one of the ACC's most productive offensive teams through two games, averaging 552.0 yards and 48.5 points per game. The Cardinals are coming off a 59-13 victory over Villanova after falling 41-38 to Ole Miss in their opener. Louisville has been efficient through the air as well, throwing for 341.0 yards per game while completing 68.4 percent of its passes. The Cardinals have yet to throw an interception in 57 passing attempts this season. Saturday, September 19 Wagner at California | 3:30 p.m. ET Series: First meeting Last meeting: N/A TV: ACC Network SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 113 / SiriusXM 236 SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 960 California returns home to Berkeley on Saturday, September 19, to host Wagner at California Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET. Saturday will mark the first all-time meeting between California and Wagner. It will also be Wagner's first game in the state of California since the Seahawks played at San Diego in 2004. The Golden Bears enter the weekend at 1-1 overall and 1-0 in ACC play after earning a 21-18 road victory at Syracuse last Saturday. Cal rallied from a 12-0 deficit to secure the win. California head coach Tosh Lupoi earned his first career victory as a collegiate head coach with the win at Syracuse. The Golden Bears improved to 2-1 in ACC openers since joining the conference. Safety Kingston Lopa delivered a historic performance at Syracuse, recording three interceptions, including a fourth-quarter pick-six that gave Cal the lead for good. He became the first Golden Bear with three interceptions in a game since Jaylinn Hawkins in the 2018 Cheez-It Bowl. Lopa has recorded four interceptions through Cal's first two games of the season, picking off one pass against UCLA before his three-interception performance at Syracuse. Quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele was turnover-free at Syracuse, completing 21-of-34 passes for 182 yards and two touchdowns. The two scoring passes increased his career total to 22. Cal's defense made significant strides against the run in Week 2, limiting Syracuse to 118 rushing yards and 3.3 yards per carry after UCLA rushed for 277 yards in the season opener. The Golden Bears also recorded three sacks against the Orange. Wagner enters Saturday at 1-2 overall following games against Robert Morris, Southern Connecticut State and James Madison. The Seahawks are averaging 236.7 yards of total offense per game and have yet to throw an interception through their first three contests. Saturday, September 19 Stanford at Duke | 4 p.m. ET Series: Stanford leads series, 3-1 Last meeting: Stanford, 50-13 (2012) TV: The CW SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 180 / SiriusXM 235 / SiriusXM 261 SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 959 / SiriusXM 970 Duke and Stanford meet for the first time as ACC opponents Saturday at 4 p.m. ET on The CW. The Cardinal have won the last three meetings in the series, including both previous matchups at Wallace Wade Stadium. Stanford enters at 1-1 and is coming off a bye week following its ACC opener against No. 7 Miami. Saturday will mark the Cardinal's first road game of the 2026 season. The Cardinal have protected the football, going without a turnover through their first two games for the first time since 2017. Stanford is one of just 20 FBS teams to enter Week 3 without committing a turnover. Stanford running back Micah Ford has scored three rushing touchdowns through two games, one shy of the ACC lead among running backs, while his 36 carries are tied for third-most in the conference. Linebacker Matt Rose anchors the Stanford defense with 21 tackles, the second-most in the ACC through two games. Rose recorded 12 tackles against Miami after finishing 2025 among the nation's top 25 in total tackles. Stanford is looking to snap an 11-game road losing streak, the longest in program history. The Cardinal's last road victory came in their first-ever ACC game, a win at Syracuse on September 20, 2024. Duke is off to a 2-0 start following a 31-27 road win at Illinois in Week 2. The Blue Devils rallied behind quarterback Walker Eget, who threw for 206 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. Duke running back Nate Sheppard has been one of the nation’s most productive backs, rushing for 374 yards through two games, including 147 yards against Illinois. He has also scored three rushing touchdowns. Sheppard showcased his versatility against Illinois, adding five receptions for 41 yards and two touchdowns to his 147 rushing yards and one score. He was named ACC Running Back of the Week following the performance. Duke's defense has been stout against the run, limiting opponents to 82.5 rushing yards per game through its first two contests. Saturday, September 19 West Virginia vs. #25 Virginia | 7:30 p.m. ET Series: Virginia leads series, 12-10-1 Last meeting: Virginia, 48-22 (2002 Continental Tire Bowl) TV: ACC Network SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 179 / SiriusXM 234 SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 958 The two programs meet for the first time in nearly 24 years. Virginia leads the all-time series 12-10-1, which dates to 1898. No. 25 Virginia and West Virginia enter the Duke’s Mayo Classic at 2-0, with the Cavaliers seeking their first 3-0 start since 2019 and the Mountaineers looking to start 3-0 for the first time since 2018. Charlotte provides a familiar setting for the series. The teams last met in the 2002 Continental Tire Bowl at Bank of America Stadium, where Virginia defeated No. 15 West Virginia, 48-22. Virginia has outscored its first two opponents 93-11, opening with a 34-8 ACC win over NC State before defeating Norfolk State 59-3. The Cavaliers’ 56-point margin against Norfolk State was their largest since 1990. The Cavaliers have topped 200 rushing yards in both games, including 237 against Norfolk State. Virginia has now rushed for 200-plus yards seven times over its last 15 games. Virginia quarterback Beau Pribula has completed 84 percent of his passes (21-of-25) with five touchdowns through two games. He also rushed for a career-high 110 yards in the season-opening win over NC State. Virginia’s defense continues to create takeaways, forcing three against Norfolk State and at least one turnover in 12 of its last 13 games, totaling 23 takeaways during that stretch. West Virginia is averaging 41.5 points through its 2-0 start and is coming off a 52-7 win over UT Martin in which the Mountaineers piled up 525 total yards, including 316 on the ground. Mountaineers’ quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. has been a true dual threat, accounting for 486 total yards and six touchdowns through two games—287 yards and three touchdowns passing and 199 yards and three scores rushing. West Virginia’s offense has shown big-play ability. The Mountaineers produced four plays of 50-plus yards against UT Martin, highlighted by Hawkins’ 71-yard touchdown run and a 53-yard touchdown pass to DJ Epps. Saturday, September 19 Virginia Tech at Maryland | 7:30 p.m. ET Series: Maryland leads series, 17-15 Last meeting: Maryland, 54-10 (2021 Pinstripe Bowl) TV: FS1 SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 180 / SiriusXM 235 SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 959 Former ACC rivals, Virginia Tech and Maryland have met 32 times, with the Terrapins holding a narrow 17-15 series advantage. The programs last met in the 2021 Pinstripe Bowl, while their last regular-season meeting came in 2013. Virginia Tech and Maryland meet with matching 2-0 records Saturday night at SECU Stadium, marking the Hokies’ first road game and first Power Four non-conference matchup under head coach James Franklin. Saturday marks a return to College Park for Franklin, who coached at Maryland from 2000-04 and again from 2008-10. He was part of the Terrapins’ 2001 ACC Championship season and later served as assistant head coach and offensive coordinator. Franklin is 9-2 as a head coach against Maryland, with all 11 previous meetings coming during his tenure at Penn State. His teams won each of the last four meetings against the Terrapins. Virginia Tech quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer has completed 77.4 percent of his passes through two games, throwing for 551 yards and four touchdowns without an interception. The Hokies as a team have completed 77.6 percent of their passes. The Hokies have been stout against the run, limiting opponents to 59.5 rushing yards per game and just 1.6 yards per carry through their first two contests. Maryland carries the nation’s longest active non-conference winning streak at 20 games into Saturday after defeating UConn, 38-14, in Week 2. Terrapins quarterback Malik Washington completed 24-of-27 passes against UConn, including 18 consecutive completions, the longest single-game streak by a Maryland quarterback since 1953. Maryland’s defense has also been strong against the run, holding UConn to 67 rushing yards and 2.2 yards per carry while recording five sacks in last week’s victory.