College Football
5 Games that will Define the ACC in September
Football season is less than 30 days away (WOOHOO)! In moving towards the best time of the year, today we take a look at five games in September that will define the ACC. This list will be a combination of conference and non-conference battles that could shape the ACC from a national perspective and give us a sneak peek of who could be challenging for the conference championship in December. Without further ado, I present to you… 5 games that will define the ACC in September!
1. Louisville vs Alabama – 9/1 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida
Let’s not even sugar coat this. No one is expecting Louisville to pull off the upset. The Cardinals lost one of their most electric players ever in Heisman winning quarterback Lamar Jackson. If Louisville pulls off the upset, the world explodes and the ACC-Atlantic may have a “wheel of destiny” year in the making. If Louisville loses, are we really shocked?
2. Miami vs LSU – 9/2 at Jerry’s World aka AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas
Miami was one of the surprises in college football last year, winning their first 10 games, but then losing their last 3 games. The Hurricanes have plenty to prove against SEC-foe LSU. Starting the year by beating LSU would be great for the ACC’s resume and potentially mean “the U” is ready to making some serious noise in 2018. A loss to LSU and it’s, “Miami…who?”
3. Virginia Tech vs Florida State – 9/3 at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida
The Labor Day night game might foreshadow a lot for both teams. FSU comes into the game with new head coach Willie Taggert and look to prove there is definitely something to be excited about in the new regime. Virginia Tech has lost players left and right from the NFL Draft to off-season casualties (players being dismissed, being declared academically ineligible, injuries, you name it). A win for FSU could get the momentum going early in Tallahassee; a win for Virginia Tech could show this team might have enough fight to be a contender in the coastal division.
4. Clemson vs Texas A&M – 9/8 at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas
Clemson had an agonizing defeat at the hands of Alabama in the Sugar Bowl in January. It’s time for the Tigers to get some revenge on the SEC and make a statement in the opening month. A win for Clemson helps boost their resume with a win over an SEC-team and take some of the terrible taste out of their mouths. A loss leads to questioning the conference’s strength come playoff time for the ACC’s heavyweight champ.
5. West Virginia vs NC State – 9/15 at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, North Carolina
NC State started off last year with a bang in September ACC play by beating FSU. The Wolfpack get an exciting regular season game with Big-12 contender West Virginia. A win for the Wolfpack would create some much-needed momentum heading into ACC play come October. A loss and many people probably wouldn’t be surprised due to the defensive losses from last year.
What do you think? Are there any ACC games that have the potential to shape the conference chase or national picture?
