The three biggest ACC football questions of the week. Here we go for Week 13.
Is SMU on upset alert at Virginia?
SMU is riding high at 9-1 and ranked 13th in the country, but they better be ready for their game at Virginia. The Hoos are 5-5 and have plenty to play for themselves. Against Notre Dame Virginia had moments where they looked like they could make the game competitive, but then got hit by the turnover bug. I think this is a scary game for the Mustangs. Virginia could have beat Louisville, and a little better 2nd half beats Maryland to be 7-3. This feels like a massive trap game. Playoff-caliber teams take care of business here. It’s on you SMU.
Who gets to to 8-3 Syracuse or Duke?
Quietly Duke and Syracuse are having really nice seasons, and if their names were Missouri they’d be ranked in the top 25. Syracuse plays 7-3 UConn at home, and Duke hosts Virginia Tech. I like Syracuse and that offense to handle the Huskies and set themselves up for a huge game with Miami. Duke gets a bit more dangerous Virginia Tech team, but the Blue Devils have been solid at home with only an OT loss to SMU by 1 point in a game they probably should have won. Their QB Maalik Murphy has played some of his best football late in games, and the Hokies haven’t been right since blowing a big lead at Syracuse. I see two 8-3 teams coming out of this weekend here.
Will Florida State win their second game of the year?
Good for Florida State this weekend, they are playing 1-10 Charleston Southern from the FCS. I’m pretty sure even the 2024 Florida State Seminoles can handle the Buccaneers. If anything FSU just winning a game might provide a little spark to the Noles as they get ready for surging arch-rival Florida.
