May is usually the time to start thinking about the college football season. We’re a little early too start a player analysis, but it’s a good time for a deep dive into the schedule. We’re looking especially at the Out of Conference schedule today. We‘ll also be looking at the in-ACC conference games later this month.
1) Clemson vs Georgia – August 31, 2024
Last season Clemson beat a ranked Notre Dame team. That was a nice win, but Clemson wasn’t playing for anything more than pride. They’ve dropped from the nation’s elite programs to a merely very good one. When you’ve been to the mountain top like Clemson was at, you wonder if and when they will get there again. Georgia is a measuring stick. Over the last three years, they’ve been college football’s best. They’ve been better than Alabama, better than Ohio State, and better than Michigan. Clemson now gets a measuring stick game with Georgia to find out where they are really at.
2) Miami vs Florida – August 31, 2024
Why do I like the Miami vs Florida game so much? First Miami and Florida don’t play very often, only 7 times since 2000, but it’s such a natural rivalry. Neither team is coming off a good season, making this an especially important game for both. Did Cam Ward transfer to Miami and become the best QB in the ACC on day 1? If the Canes beat the Gators, he might have an argument. Miami head coach Mario Cristobal could really use this win.
3) Florida State vs Florida – November 30, 2024
Remember when Florida State went to The Swamp with a backup QB won and nobody in the playoff committee seemed to care? Well FSU fans care, and the reality of things is that was a massive win. Now this game returns to Tallahassee and the Noles have begun to take control of this rivalry in recent years. Since 2010 Florida State has a 9-3 record against Florida. Florida coach Billy Napier better not lose a 3rd straight game to the Noles.
4) Pittsburgh vs West Virginia – September 14, 2024
The Backyard Brawl should be played every single year. It’s one of the most intense rivalries in the country. Pittsburgh and West Virginia just screams traditional rivalry game. With the state of realignment, it’s a part of college football that sadly we’re losing more and more of each season. Pittsburgh was 3-9 last year, and the quickest way Pat Narduzzi can get back in the good graces of Pitt fans is beat West Virginia.
5) NC State vs Tennessee – September 7, 2024
Dave Doeren has turned NC State into a very credible football program. They are now a near lock to win to 8 or 9 games each and every season, but something is still missing from Doeren’s resume. It’s a true signature OOC win. Yes there was a top 25 win over Liberty and a win over Texas Tech which was nice in recent years, but Tennessee is a different animal. They’ve won 20 games in the last two years and finished in the top 25 both years. Now the Wolfpack get the Vols in Charlotte, NC, and this game can prove the NC State program has truly arrived.
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