Teams around the ACC are set for 12 football games on Saturday, including a pair of conference games.
#23 Georgia Tech and Syracuse will be the first ACC game, kicking off a noon ET, while Virginia and Wake Forest will square off at 7 p.m. ET.
#24 NC State will play in one of two ranked matchups this weekend, facing #14 Tennessee in the Duke’s Mayo Classic at in Charlotte – the site of the 2024 ACC Football Championship Game.
Pitt at Cincinnati
Saturday, Sept. 7, Noon p.m. ET
Series: Pitt leads series, 8-5
Last meeting: Cincinnati, 27-21 (2023)
ESPN2: Roy Philpott (play-by-play), Sam Acho (analyst), Taylor Davis (sideline)
School Radio Feed: Pitt
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 137 / SiriusXM 162 / SiriusXM 194 / SiriusXM 200
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 954 / SiriusXM 956
Preview: Pitt opened the season with a dominant 55-24 win over Kent State, marking the first time that the Panthers scored 50+ points since Nov. 6, 2021, at Duke. All three phases of the game contributed for Pitt in the victory, including a 78-yard punt return touchdown from Desmond Reid. Additionally, Reid logged an ACC-best 145 rushing yards to lead the Panthers. Defense has been a focal point under Pat Narduzzi’s tenure with the Panthers, as Pitt moved to 20-3 under Narduzzi when holding opponents to under 250 yards of total offense. Coming off of a 3-9 (1-8 Big 12) season in 2023, Cincinnati opened 2024 with a 38-20 victory over Towson in Week 1.
#23 Georgia Tech at Syracuse
Saturday, Sept. 7, Noon p.m. ET
Series: Georgia Tech leads series, 4-1
Last meeting: Georgia Tech, 31-22 (2023)
ACCN: Chris Cotter (play-by-play), Mark Herzlich (analyst), Coley Harvey (sideline)
School Radio Feeds: Georgia Tech / Syracuse
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 161 / SiriusXM 193 / 371
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 371 / SiriusXM 955
Preview: After a 2-0 start to the season, Georgia Tech enters the AP Top 25 Poll at #23 – the Yellow Jackets’ first time being ranked since the Sept. 20, 2015, poll. In just his 15th game as a Jacket, Haynes King became the 13th player in Georgia Tech history to throw for more than 3,000 yards. With a win over Syracuse, the Yellow Jackets look to move to 2-0 in ACC play for the first time since 2017.
Syracuse kicked off the Fran Brown era with a 38-22 win at home over Ohio. The game against Georgia Tech will continue a four-game homestand for Syracuse, who will not play a road game until October. The Syracuse defense was impressive against Ohio, logging four sacks, 10 tackles-for-loss, one interception and a forced fumble. In his first game with the Orange, Ohio State transfer Kyle McCord threw for a career-high 354 yards and a career-best four touchdowns.
Cal at Auburn
Saturday, Sept. 7, 3:30 p.m. ET
Series: Auburn leads series, 1-0
Last meeting: Auburn, 14-10 (2023)
ESPN2: Dave Flemming (play-by-play), Brock Osweiler (analyst), Stormy Buonantony (sideline)
School Radio Feed: California
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 132 / SiriusXM 201 / SiriusXM 371
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 371 / SiriusXM 963
Preview: After opening its ACC era with a 31-13 victory, Cal will look to move to 2-0 with a win over SEC member Auburn. Cal was a perfect 4-for-4 in the red zone against UC Davis, converting for three touchdowns and a 25-yard field goal. Recording three interceptions in the game, the Golden Bears lead the ACC after Week 1. Cal closed the game on a strong note, scoring 24 unanswered points to close out the season-opening win. Auburn opened its season with a 73-3 victory over Alabama A&M and is receiving votes in the AP Top 25 Poll.
Duquesne at Boston College
Saturday, Sept. 7, 3:30 p.m. ET
Series: First Meeting
Last meeting: N/A
ACCNX: Bill Spaulding (play-by-play), Craig Haubert (analyst)
School Radio Feed: Boston College
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 121 / SiriusXM 203
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 965
Preview: After notching its first top-10 win since 2014 in Week 1, Boston College is receiving votes in the AP Top 25 Poll and looks to move to 2-0 on the season with a win over Duquesne. The win over Florida State was also BC’s first season-opening win over a Top 10 team since taking down #7 Texas in 1976. The rushing attack was dominant for the Eagles, who outgained Florida State 262-21 in the opener. Kye Robichaux, Treshaun Ward and Thomas Castellanos each ran for at least 80 yards. FCS member Duquesne is in the midst of a two-game stretch against FBS opponents, having fallen to Toledo 49-10 in the season opener.
Jacksonville State at #22 Louisville
Saturday, Sept. 7, 3:30 p.m. ET
Series: First Meeting
Last meeting: N/A
ACCNX: Justin Kutcher (play-by-play), Charles Arbuckle (analyst)
School Radio Feed: Louisville
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 162 / SiriusXM 194
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 956
Preview: Louisville thrashed Austin Peay, 62-0, to open the 2024 season. The ACC’s highest-scoring offense was one of just 10 teams nationally to score 60+ points in Week 1 action. The Cardinals also lead the ACC in total offense after rushing for 293 yards and throwing for 278 more, logging 571 yards of total offense against the Governors. The quarterback trio of Tyler Shough, Bailey Harrison and Pierce Clarkson completed 79.4 percent of their pass attempts to put Louisville atop the national completion percentage rankings as well. Louisville will now turn its attention to Conference USA member Jacksonville State, who is coming off of a nine-win season, including an overtime win in the New Orleans Bowl, in its FBS debut last year.
Charlotte at North Carolina
Saturday, Sept. 7, 3:30 p.m. ET
Series: First Meeting
Last meeting: N/A
ACCN: Jorge Sedano (play-by-play), Orlando Franklin (analyst), Morgan Uber (sideline)
School Radio Feed: North Carolina
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 108 / SiriusXM 205 / SiriusXM 385
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 967 / SiriusXM 975
Preview: North Carolina was the only team around the country to defeat a Big Ten school in Week 1, knocking off Minnesota on the road, 19-17. Jahvaree Ritzie was named ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week and the Outland Trophy National Player of the Week after logging three sacks and six total tackles against the Golden Gophers. Noah Burnette was also named the league’s Specialist of the Week and Lou Groza Award “Star of the Week” after connecting on all four of his field goal attempts, including the game winner with 1:56 in the contest. This will be the first-ever meeting between the in-state opponents. Charlotte began its tenure as an FBS school in 2015. Last week, the 49ers lost at home, 30-7, to James Madison to open the season after going 3-9 in 2023.
Marshall at Virginia Tech
Saturday, Sept. 7, 4:30 p.m. ET
Series: Virginia Tech leads series, 11-3
Last meeting: Marshall, 24-17 (2023)
The CW: Thom Brennaman (play-by-play), Max Browne (analyst), Trevor Scales (sideline)
School Radio Feed: Virginia Tech
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 161 / SiriusXM 193
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 955 / SiriusXM 993
Preview: The Hokies fell on the road to Vanderbilt in the season opener, 34-27, in Week 1. Against the Commodores, Kyron Drones went 22-for-33 on pass attempts, throwing for 322 yards and two touchdowns. The Hokies have scored in 371 consecutive games, dating back to 1995, and hold the fourth-longest consecutive games without being shut out streak in NCAA history. Marshall blew past Stony Brook, 45-3, to begin 2024 after going 6-7 (3-5 Sun Belt) with a trip to the Frisco Bowl. In the past 10 meetings with Marshall, Virginia Tech has won nine of the contests.
Florida A&M at #12 Miami
Saturday, Sept. 7, 6 p.m. ET
Series: Miami leads series, 10-1
Last meeting: Miami, 70-3 (2016)
ACCNX: Chuckie Kempf (play-by-play), Forrest Conoly (analyst), Marilyn Payne (sideline)
School Radio Feed: Miami
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 146 / SiriusXM 204
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 966
Preview: Miami put together one of the most impressive games throughout college football in Week 1, beating Florida, 41-17, in Gainesville. The Canes snapped Florida’s NCAA-record 33-game home opener winning streak. ACC Preseason Player of the Year Cam Ward logged 385 passing yards, completing 26-of-35 passes for three touchdowns in the process. The Canes rose seven spots in the AP Poll, entering the week at No. 12 – the highest ranking for Miami since the Dec. 6, 2020, poll. Florida A&M is off to a 2-0 start this season after a 12-1 season and a win in the Celebration Bowl in 2023. FAMU is riding a 23-game winning streak against non-FBS schools.
Virginia at Wake Forest
Saturday, Sept. 7, 7 p.m. ET
Series: Virginia leads series, 34-17
Last meeting: Wake Forest, 37-17 (2021)
ESPN2: Mike Monaco (play-by-play), Kirk Morrison (analyst), Dawn Davenport (sideline)
School Radio Feeds: Virginia / Wake Forest
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 162 / SiriusXM 194 / SiriusXM 391
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 956 / SiriusXM 981
Preview: The ACC slate will get underway for both Virginia and Wake Forest on Saturday night. Saturday’s showdown will be the 52nd all-time meeting between the two schools with Virginia leading the series, 34-17. The Demon Deacons, however, have won each of the last five matchups. Malachi Fields logged 100 receiving yards on five catches to lead Virginia to a 34-13 win over Richmond in the Cavaliers’ season opener. The Demon Deacons got out to a 1-0 start with a 45-13 victory against North Carolina A&T, powered by 135 rushing yards from Demond Claiborne in their Week 1 win. Wake Forest punter Ivan Mora was named to the Ray Guy Award “Ray’s 8” for Week 1 after punting three times for 173 yards – averaging 57.67 yards per punt.
Cal Poly at Stanford
Saturday, Sept. 7, 7 p.m. ET
Series: First Meeting
Last meeting: N/A
ACCNX: Roxy Bernstein (play-by-play), Michael Bumpus (analyst), Sherree Burruss (sideline)
School Radio Feed: Stanford
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 121
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 965
Preview: Stanford looks to bounce back from a season-opening loss to TCU when it meets Cal Poly on Saturday afternoon. Ashton Daniels completed 17 passes for 163 yards and a touchdown, while adding a team-high 87 rushing yards in the opener. The Cardinal got a strong defensive performance from Gaethan Bernadel, who logged a team-high 10 tackles – one of just six players throughout the ACC to record double-digit stops in Week 1. Cal Poly fell in its season opener to San Diego, 27-21, after posting a 3-8 (1-7 Big Sky) record throughout 2023. After the Saturday showdown, the Cardinal will play its first three ACC games in program history.
#14 Tennessee vs. #24 NC State
Saturday, Sept. 7, 7:30 p.m. ET
Series: Tennessee leads series, 2-1
Last meeting: Tennessee, 35-21 (2012)
ABC: Rece Davis (play-by-play), Kirk Herbstreit (analyst), Holly Rowe (sideline)
School Radio Feed: NC State
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 80 / SiriusXM 84 / SiriusXM 374
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 80 / SiriusXM 84 / SiriusXM 374
Preview: Saturday night’s meeting between the Wolfpack and Volunteers will be one of just two ranked matchups throughout FBS football this week. NC State and Tennessee have only met three times previously with the Volunteers winning twice. Kevin “KC” Concepcion was named the ACC Receiver of the Week after hauling in three touchdowns in the season opener. The sophomore currently leads the ACC in scoring with 18 points and has logged six career multi-touchdown games. Grayson McCall, a transfer from Coastal Carolina, has thrown 91 career touchdowns with only 15 interceptions and will look to lead NC State on Saturday night. Tennessee is coming off of a 69-3 win over Chattanooga in Week 1 after going 9-4 (4-4 SEC) last year in 2023. However, the Volunteers went 0-3 in the regular season against ranked opponents before beating Iowa in the Citrus Bowl.
Appalachian State at #25 Clemson
Saturday, Sept. 7, 8 p.m. ET
Series: Clemson leads series, 5-0
Last meeting: Clemson, 41-10 (2015)
ACCN: Wes Durham (play-by-play), Tom Luginbill (analyst), Dana Boyle (sideline)
School Radio Feed: Clemson
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 161 / SiriusXM 193
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 955 / SiriusXM 933
Preview: Saturday night will be the home opener for 25th-ranked Clemson, who will play seven contests in Death Valley this season. The Tigers are undefeated in their last 20 home openers and have posted a 65-3 record at Death Valley in the College Football Playoff era. Clemson boasts a perfect 5-0 record against the Mountaineers and a stellar 12-0 ledger against teams in the Sun Belt and will look to maintain their success on Saturday night. Since App State joined the FBS football ranks in 2014, the Mountaineers are tied for sixth nationally with 96 wins, while Clemson ranks second with 119 wins throughout the same stretch. App State opened the season with a 38-10 win over East Tennessee State after going 9-5 (6-2 Sun Belt) in 2023.
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Chris Graham
