ACC Football Week 3: Preview and Scoreboard

Previews and score updates for every ACC football game this week

The ACC was much improved in week two as a whole, turning in an 11-3 record in 14 non-conference games. The conference looks to continue that momentum in week three, as eight ACC teams play non-conference opponents and six ACC teams play conference games this weekend. Read on for a preview of the 11 ACC football games taking place this weekend and make sure to come back to this page for updates on all the action from around the conference.

Friday, 7:30pm: Central Florida at Louisville (ESPN)

Result: Central Florida 35, Louisville 42

It was quite the dramatic ending in Louisville on Friday night. With the game tied at 35, Malik Cunningham threw an interception at the Louisville 41-yard line with just 25 seconds remaining. UCF needed only a few yards to get into field goal range for a chance to win the game. On the very next play, Dillon Gabriel's pass was intercepted by Jaylin Alderman, who returned it 66 yards for the game-winning touchdown to give Louisville the huge victory. 

Preview: After getting their first win over Eastern Kentucky 30-3 last week, the Cardinals face a tough test as they host a very good 2-0 UCF team that already boasts an impressive victory over Boise State.

Prediction: Central Florida 28, Louisville 24

Saturday, 12pm: No. 15 Virginia Tech at West Virginia (FS1)

Result: Virginia Tech 21, West Virginia 27

West Virginia held Virginia Tech to just seven points through the first 44 minutes of the game and built a seemingly insurmountable 27-7 lead. The Mountaineers nearly choked the game away, however, as the Hokies scored 14 unanswered points to make 27-21 with a little over three minutes remaining. West Virginia gave Virginia Tech an opportunity, as Jarret Doege threw an interception deep in Mountaineer territory, but the West Virginia defense held and forced the Hokies to turn the ball over on downs, handing Virginia Tech its first loss of the season in Morgantown. 

Preview: The Hokies have gotten off to a very strong start to the 2021 season, defeating North Carolina and Middle Tennessee at home. In week three, Virginia Tech faces a tough road test at West Virginia in the battle for the Black Diamond Trophy, which has been in the Hokies’ possession since the two teams last met as Big East rivals in 2003.

Prediction: Virginia Tech 27, West Virginia 24

Saturday, 12pm: Michigan State at No. 24 Miami (ABC)

Result: Michigan State 38, Miami 17

After a low-scoring first half that saw the Spartans take 10-7 lead into halftime, Michigan State outscored Miami 28-10 in the second half. Payton Thorne threw for 261 yards and four touchdowns as the Spartans terrorized the Hurricane defense. D'Eriq King threw two touchdowns and two interceptions as Miami lost for the second time this season. 

Preview: The Spartans and Hurricanes meet for the first time since 1989. Michigan State’s offense has been impressive thus far, putting up 38 points in a victory over Northwestern before defeating Youngstown State 42-14 last week. Miami won a hard-fought 25-23 game against Appalachian State to rebound after a blowout loss against Alabama in week one.

Prediction: Michigan State 28, Miami 34

Saturday, 12pm: Western Michigan at Pittsburgh (ESPN3)

Result: Western Michigan 44, Pittsburgh 41

In one of the more entertaining games of the college football weekend, Western Michigan went punch-for-punch with Pittsburgh at Heinz Field. After the Broncos built a 20-7 lead in the second quarter, but the Panthers rallied to tie the game at 27 before halftime. Western Michigan built another ten-point lead in the second half and held on for the win. Kenny Pickett threw for 382 yards and six touchdowns, but the Panthers came up just short and suffered their first loss of the season.

Preview: Kenny Pickett has been very sharp through the first two games of the season, completing 51 of 73 passes for 557 yards and four touchdowns. Pittsburgh blew out UMass in the season opener before winning a close contest on the road at Tennessee last weekend. The Panthers looked to keep their momentum going at home against Western Michigan.

Prediction: Western Michigan 10, Pittsburgh 27

Saturday, 12pm: Albany at Syracuse (ACC Network)

Result: Albany 24, Syracuse 62

Sean Tucker ran for 132 yards and four touchdowns on just 13 carries as the Orange dominated the Great Danes in this in-state matchup. Syracuse put up 62 points and 623 yards of total offense one week after managing just seven points in a loss at Rutgers. 

Preview: The Orange look to bounce back after a disappointing 17-7 loss at home against Rutgers, in which Syracuse turned the ball over five times. A home contest against 0-2 Albany ought to help the Orange work out some of their kinks.

Prediction: Albany 7, Syracuse 24

Saturday, 12pm: Boston College at Temple (ESPNU)

Result: Boston College 28, Temple 3

The Eagles did not ask much of quarterback Dennis Grosel, as Boston College attempted just 13 passing plays for 34 yards in the game. Three different BC running backs scored touchdowns and the Eagles' defense suffocated Temple at Lincoln Financial Field as Boston College improved to 3-0 on the season. 

Preview: Boston College turns to Dennis Grosel again at quarterback as Phil Jurkovec appears likely to miss the remainder of the season with a hand injury. Grosel came in to replace Jurkovec early in Boston College’s 45-28 victory over UMass last week and looked solid, completing 11 of 14 passes for 199 yards and a touchdown. Grosel has significant starting experience, so the Eagles are hopeful he can lead them to a successful season.

Prediction: Boston College 31, Temple 14

Saturday, 3:30pm: Georgia Tech at No. 6 Clemson (ABC)

Result: Georgia Tech 8, Clemson 14

This game certainly did not go how many (myself included) expected. A lengthy delay for lightning apparently did not give the Tigers enough time to find a solution to their offensive woes. Clemson managed just 14 points on 284 yards of total offense, as the Yellow Jackets were a couple of plays away from pulling off the huge upset. The two teams combined to punt 10 times in the game and Clemson prevailed in an ugly defensive slugfest. 

Preview: Both teams are 1-1, but the Tigers will be heavy favorites in their ACC opener against a rebuilding Georgia Tech squad. Georgia Tech bounced back from a 22-21 loss to Northern Illinois with a convincing win over Kennesaw State, but the Yellow Jackets will have their work cut out for them against a Clemson team looking to begin its campaign for a seventh-consecutive ACC Championship with a win.

Prediction: Georgia Tech 3, Clemson 45

Saturday, 3:30pm: Florida State at Wake Forest (ESPN)

Result: Florida State 14, Wake Forest 35

Florida State keeps finding new ways to lose games. After a very promising performance in an overtime loss against Notre Dame in week one and a soul-crushing defeat on a Hail Mary to Jacksonville State in week two, the Seminoles came out flat in week three and the Demon Deacons ran all over them. FSU hung around for awhile in the first half, especially after Jordan Travis found Ontaria Wilson for a 65-yard touchdown. But that would be the last time Florida State scored, as Wake Forest shutout the Seminoles in the second half. Big changes are needed in Tallahassee. 

Preview: Florida State and Wake Forest come into their first ACC matchup in polar opposite positions in their respective seasons. The Seminoles looked solid in their opener, nearly pulling off the upset against Notre Dame, before an extremely disappointing performance in a loss against Jacksonville State which ended in a dramatic Hail Mary pass on the final play of the game. Wake Forest, meanwhile, comes into this game riding back-to-back blowout victories against Old Dominion and Norfolk State. Both teams have something to prove in this one.

Prediction: Florida State 24, Wake Forest 28

Saturday, 4pm: Northwestern at Duke (ACC Network)

Result: Northwestern 23, Duke 30

Duke jumped out to a 27-0 lead in the first half, but barely held on as the Wildcats staged a furious comeback to draw within one touchdown in the fourth quarter. Nonetheless, the Blue Devils held on and picked up a huge win at home against a Big Ten opponent. After a rough loss to Charlotte to start the season, Duke has rebounded nicely and has another winnable game against Kansas on the horizon. 

Preview: Duke bounced back well with a blowout win over North Carolina A&T following its 31-28 loss at Charlotte to open the season. Now, the Blue Devils have a big opportunity for a statement victory as they welcome Big Ten opponent Northwestern on Saturday afternoon.

Prediction: Northwestern 26, Duke, 21

Saturday, 7:30pm: Virginia at No. 21 North Carolina (ACC Network)

Result: Virginia 39, North Carolina 59

Brennan Armstrong shattered a UVA record with 554 passing yards. But the Hoos still lost by 20 points as the Virginia defense was little more than a revolving door for an explosive and balanced UNC offense that put up 699 yards of total offense and 59 points. North Carolina defeated the Cavaliers for the first time since 2016 and the Tar Heels are starting to look like an ACC contender once again. 

Preview: North Carolina looks to snap a four-game losing streak against Virginia and get back on track in the race for the ACC Coastal title. The Cavaliers look to seize the opportunity to put themselves in the company of the best teams in the ACC after a very strong start to the season. It ought to be an entertaining quarterback duel between Sam Howell and Brennan Armstrong in Chapel Hill on Saturday night.

Prediction: Virginia 38, North Carolina 35

Saturday, 7:30pm: Furman at NC State (ESPN3)

Result: Furman 7, NC State 45

As expected, NC state bounced back from last week's 24-10 loss at Mississippi State with a blowout win at home against Furman. Devin Leary threw for 259 yards and three touchdowns, the Wolf Pack added three rushing touchdowns from three different players, and the NC State defense held the Paladins to less than 200 yards of total offense. The Wolf Pack host Clemson next week. 

Preview: After a shutout victory against USF in the season opener, the NC State offense got shut down in a 24-10 road loss at Mississippi State. Devin Leary and the Wolf Pack look to get back on track at home against 2-0 Furman on Saturday night.

Prediction: Furman 13, NC State 28