The Atlantic Coast Conference’s Week 9 football slate features eight conference matchups Saturday, October 31, as 16 teams take the field in a full day of action that begins with three noon ET kickoffs and builds toward prime time.

The schedule includes No. 19 SMU at Syracuse, No. 14 Wake Forest hosting Virginia and No. 1 Miami visiting North Carolina in ABC Saturday Night Football, while Boston College at Duke, Clemson at Florida State and Georgia Tech at Pitt add to a compelling league slate.

With 12 of its 17 teams entering the weekend at .500 or better and every program already owning a conference win, the ACC continues to showcase its depth from week to week. The league leads the FBS in one-possession conference games, second-half lead changes and fourth-quarter lead changes.

Saturday, October 31
#19 SMU at Syracuse | Noon ET
Series: SMU leads series, 2-0
Last meeting: SMU, 31-18 (2025)
TV: ESPN2
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 174 / SiriusXM 175 / SiriusXM 236 / SiriusXM 247
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 960 / SiriusXM 963

• No. 19 SMU (6-1, 4-1 ACC) travels to Syracuse (3-4, 1-4) for Saturday’s Noon ET kickoff on ESPN2. The Mustangs have won four straight and remain one game behind unbeaten Miami in the ACC race, while Syracuse enters off a season-defining 31-30 overtime road win at North Carolina.
• SMU owns the brief all-time series, 2-0, including a 31-18 win in Dallas last season. The programs first met in 1932, making Saturday the first matchup in Syracuse.
• The Mustangs are one of only six FBS programs ranked in the top 25 in both total offense and total defense, ranking 13th in total offense (470.3 ypg) and 24th in total defense (303.3 ypg).
• SMU ranks seventh nationally in passing offense (313.1 ypg) and 22nd in passing defense (179.1 ypg), one of only three FBS teams in the top 25 of both categories.
• SMU ranks fourth nationally in third-down conversion defense, allowing opponents to convert just 27.3 percent of the time, while ranking eighth nationally in offensive third-down production at 7.30 yards per play.
• QB Kevin Jennings has thrown for 2,062 yards and 19 touchdowns while completing 72.6 percent of his passes. The SMU career leader in passing yards, completions, total offense and touchdown responsibility ranks fourth nationally in passing efficiency, fifth in completion percentage and sixth in touchdown passes.
• SMU arrives with momentum after a 59-20 win at California, scoring 42 unanswered points in the second half.
• Syracuse averages 31.6 points and 449.8 yards per game and ranks fourth in the ACC in passing offense despite navigating quarterback injuries throughout the season.
• WR Umari Hatcher ranks fourth nationally in receiving yards per game (126.7) and total receiving yards (887), is tied for fifth with 54 receptions and tied for sixth with eight touchdown catches. He posted an FBS-best 224 receiving yards in Week 7 and has earned ACC Receiver of the Week twice this season.
• Syracuse has controlled the clock all season, averaging 33:28 in time of possession per game—a nearly seven-minute advantage over its opponents (26:32). The Orange have run 130 more offensive plays than their opponents this season.
• Syracuse rallied for last week’s overtime win at North Carolina to snap an 11-game ACC losing streak. QB Steve Angeli returned to the lineup, while Calvin Russell III caught the game-winning touchdown and converted the decisive two-point attempt.

Saturday, October 31
California at NC State | Noon ET
Series: NC State leads series, 1-0
Last meeting: NC State, 24-23 (2024)
TV: ACC Network
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 179 / SiriusXM 234 / SiriusXM 258
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 258 / SiriusXM 958

• California (3-5, 2-3 ACC) travels to NC State (3-4, 1-3) for a Noon ET kickoff on ACC Network. Both teams are looking to rebound after difficult Week 8 road losses.
• Saturday marks just the second meeting between the programs. NC State rallied from a two-touchdown fourth-quarter deficit for a 24-23 win at California in 2024, giving the Wolfpack a 1-0 series lead.
• NC State will take the field for the first time under interim head coach Todd Goebbel following the program’s coaching change. The Wolfpack return home to Carter-Finley Stadium after last week’s 31-28 loss at Stanford.
• The Wolfpack’s offense has remained productive, averaging 32.3 points and 419.9 yards per game. NC State has topped 28 points in five of seven games this season.
• QB CJ Bailey is the centerpiece of the NC State attack, throwing for 1,763 yards and 11 touchdowns while completing 65.3 percent of his passes. He ranks 23rd nationally in passing yards per game (251.9), 24th in completions per game and 27th in total offense per game.
• Bailey’s primary target has been WR Keenan Jackson, who leads the Wolfpack with 456 receiving yards. RB Jayden “Duke” Scott leads NC State on the ground with 358 rushing yards.
• California brings an experienced and versatile passing attack. Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele and Jackson Brousseau have combined for more than 2,000 passing yards and 12 touchdowns, with Sagapolutele ranking 18th nationally in completions per game and 23rd in completion percentage.
• California’s defense has been opportunistic in the secondary, collecting seven interceptions this season. DB Kingston Lopa leads the unit with five picks, and the Bears have limited opposing quarterbacks to a 57.8 completion percentage and 206.3 passing yards per game.

Saturday, October 31
Boston College at Duke | Noon ET
Series: Boston College leads series, 5-4
Last meeting: Duke, 38-31 (2022)
TV: The CW
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 185 / SiriusXM 235 / SiriusXM 264
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 959 / SiriusXM 974

• Boston College (4-3, 2-2 ACC) visits Duke (5-2, 2-2) for a Noon ET kickoff on The CW. Both programs enter on two-game winning streaks.
• Boston College leads the all-time series, 5-4, though Duke has won three of the last four meetings. The Blue Devils earned a 38-31 win in Chestnut Hill in the teams’ most recent matchup in 2022.
• Boston College enters the week with major momentum after a 49-27 road win at Georgia Tech. The Eagles overcame an early 10-point deficit, rushed for 399 yards and totaled 500 yards of offense.
• RB Bo MacCormack III led the way against Georgia Tech with a career-high 155 rushing yards and three touchdowns, earning ACC Running Back of the Week honors. QB Mason McKenzie added 170 rushing yards, as the pair combined for 325 yards and five touchdowns on the ground.
• McKenzie gives Boston College a true dual-threat dimension. He has accounted for more than 1,900 yards of total offense and 13 touchdowns, while DB Charlie Comella has emerged as a takeaway threat with four interceptions, including a 47-yard pick-six last week.
• Duke’s 5-2 record includes three Power 4 victories, highlighted by road wins at Illinois and Virginia. The Blue Devils’ two losses have come by a combined seven points, and they own a +97 scoring margin this season.
• The Blue Devils have built their resume on defense, ranking among the nation’s top 25 in scoring defense, rushing defense and total defense. Duke allows just 16.0 points per game, 107.1 rushing yards per game and 301.3 total yards per game.
• Duke has paired its defense with elite ball security and protection, as the Blue Devils rank second nationally with just 0.43 sacks allowed per game, have lost only one fumble all season and are one of five FBS teams to allow no points off turnovers.
• RB Nate Sheppard remains the centerpiece of the Duke offensive attack, as he ranks second nationally in all-purpose yards per game, third in rushing yards per game, fifth in rushing yards and tied for fourth with 13 total touchdowns; he also threw the game-winning touchdown pass in last week’s 19-16 win at Virginia.

Saturday, October 31
Stanford at Louisville | 3:15 p.m. ET
Series: Stanford leads series, 1-0
Last meeting: Stanford, 38-35 (2024)
TV: ACC Network
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 179 / SiriusXM 234 / SiriusXM 258
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 258 / SiriusXM 958

• Stanford (4-4, 2-3 ACC) travels to Louisville (4-3, 3-2) for a 3:15 p.m. ET kickoff on ACC Network. The Cardinals enter on a two-game winning streak, while Stanford has won consecutive games to return to .500.
• Saturday is a rematch of one of the ACC’s most dramatic games in 2024, when Stanford rallied from a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit to stun No. 19 Louisville, 38-35, on a walk-off 52-yard field goal. Stanford leads the all-time series, 1-0.
• Stanford enters with momentum after a 31-28 home win over NC State. QB Davis Warren threw for 303 yards and four touchdowns, while RB Micah Ford ran for 150 yards as the Cardinal totaled 477 yards of offense.
• Warren has continued to provide Stanford’s offensive spark, ranking 20th nationally in passing yards and 28th in passing yards per game. Ford has emerged as one of the ACC’s more productive backs, with 679 rushing yards and eight touchdowns.
• Stanford is 4-1 at home but 0-3 on the road this season, while Louisville is 3-1 at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium.
• Louisville owns one of the nation’s most explosive offenses, leading FBS in both 20-yard and 30-yard plays while ranking second in big-play percentage. The Cardinals have produced 82 big plays on 442 offensive snaps.
• The Cardinals rank eighth nationally in total offense (484.6 ypg), 11th in scoring offense (38.7 ppg) and 15th in rushing offense (215.0 ypg). Louisville also ranks seventh in passing yards per completion at 14.98.
• QB Lincoln Kienholz is one of college football’s most dynamic dual-threat players. He is one of only two FBS quarterbacks with at least 10 passing touchdowns and 10 rushing touchdowns, while ranking third nationally in yards per pass attempt and fifth in passing yards per completion.
• RB Isaac Brown gives Louisville another game-breaking option. Brown has totaled 839 all-purpose yards, averages 6.8 yards per carry and 27.2 yards per kickoff return, and is coming off a 235-yard, two-touchdown performance against Florida State.
• Louisville’s 4-3 record includes three Power 4 wins, highlighted by a top-20 victory over then-No. 16 SMU. Each of the Cardinals’ three losses has come by exactly three points, against Ole Miss, Wake Forest and NC State.

Saturday, October 31
Virginia at #14 Wake Forest | 3:45 p.m. ET
Series: Virginia leads series, 35-18
Last meeting: Wake Forest, 16-9 (2025)
TV: ESPN2
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 185 / SiriusXM 235 / SiriusXM 272
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 959 / SiriusXM 982

• Virginia (4-4, 2-3 ACC) travels to No. 14 Wake Forest (6-1, 4-1) for a 3:45 p.m. ET kickoff on ESPN2. The Demon Deacons enter on a four-game winning streak and remain tied for second in the ACC standings.
• Virginia leads the all-time series, 34-18, but the teams have split the past two meetings. Wake Forest earned a 16-9 road win in Charlottesville last season after Virginia edged the Demon Deacons, 31-30, in Winston-Salem in 2024. Wake Forest has won six of the last seven meetings with Virginia.
• Virginia enters following back-to-back close ACC losses, falling 23-13 at then-No. 23 SMU and 19-16 against Duke. The Cavaliers have been competitive throughout the season and will seek a signature road win against a top 15 opponent.
• QB Beau Pribula has thrown for 1,369 yards, 13 touchdowns and only two interceptions, while RB Jekail Middlebrook provides balance after rushing for a career-high 117 yards and a touchdown against Duke.
• Virginia’s defense has provided a solid foundation all season, allowing just 19.6 points per game and holding three opponents to single-digit scoring.
• Wake Forest owns one of the nation’s strongest resumes, with five Power 4 wins—one of only seven FBS teams to reach that mark. The Demon Deacons are the only team in the country with four Power 4 road victories.
• Wake Forest’s only loss came against No. 1 Miami, and the Demon Deacons remain the only team this season to hold the Hurricanes below 40 points. Wake has won four straight games and posted a +60 second-half scoring margin in ACC play.
• QB Gio Lopez has been one of the ACC’s elite players, ranking seventh nationally in ESPN Total QBR, 11th in passing efficiency and 12th in passing yards per game. He has thrown for 1,947 yards with 17 touchdowns and just one interception, while accounting for 23 total touchdowns.
• Lopez has been especially sharp during Wake’s four-game winning streak, throwing 10 touchdowns without an interception while leading an offense that has averaged 34.0 points per game during that stretch.
• The Demon Deacons rank third nationally with only three turnovers lost, fourth in fourth-down defense, 11th in rushing defense and are one of only five FBS teams to allow no points off turnovers.

Saturday, October 31
Clemson at Florida State | 7 p.m. ET
Series: Florida State leads series, 21-17
Last meeting: Clemson, 24-10 (2025)
TV: ACC Network
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 179 / SiriusXM 234 / SiriusXM 258
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 258 / SiriusXM 958

• Clemson (4-3, 2-2 ACC) travels to Florida State (3-4, 1-3) for a 7 p.m. ET kickoff Saturday on ACC Network. The Seminoles return from their open date, while Clemson looks to rebound from a one-score loss to Virginia Tech.
• Florida State leads the all-time series, 21-17, but Clemson has won nine of the past 10 meetings, including a 24-10 victory last season. The Tigers have also won four straight games at Doak Campbell Stadium and can make it five consecutive road wins in Tallahassee for the first time in series history.
• Few ACC rivalries have produced more championship-level football: Clemson and Florida State have combined for 13 of the past 15 ACC titles and 15 appearances in the past 17 ACC Football Championship Games.
• Clemson’s 4-3 record has come against a demanding schedule that includes No. 1 Miami, nationally ranked LSU and a 6-2 Virginia Tech team receiving votes in both national polls.
• Clemson’s defense remains the foundation of its team. The Tigers rank 32nd nationally in total defense (317.0 ypg), 35th in passing defense (185.7 ypg) and 49th in scoring defense (21.3 ppg).
• The Clemson front has generated consistent pressure, recording 20 sacks through seven games. DE Will Heldt, a Lombardi Award Midseason Watch List selection, earned ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week honors following his performance against Virginia Tech.
• Florida State’s offense presents a major test behind QB Ashton Daniels, who ranks among the nation’s top players in explosive passing and dual-threat production. Daniels ranks fourth nationally in passing yards per completion and points responsible per game, sixth in points responsible and 16th in ESPN Total QBR.
• Daniels has accounted for 23 touchdowns this season and is tied for sixth nationally with 11 rushing touchdowns. Earlier this season, he rushed for a school-record five touchdowns against Virginia, tying the ACC single-game record for a quarterback.
• The Seminoles average 31.6 points and 414.3 yards per game, led by Daniels, RB Ousmane Kromah and WR Duce Robinson.

Saturday, October 31
#1 Miami at North Carolina | 7:30 p.m. ET
Series: North Carolina leads series, 14-11
Last meeting: North Carolina, 41-31 (2023)
TV: ABC
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 81 / SiriusXM 85 / SiriusXM 175 / SiriusXM 236
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 81 / SiriusXM 85 / SiriusXM 960

• No. 1 Miami (7-0, 5-0 ACC) visits North Carolina (4-3, 2-2) for Saturday night’s 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff on ABC. The Hurricanes are one of just three remaining unbeaten teams in FBS, while the Tar Heels own three Power 4 victories.
• North Carolina leads the all-time series, 16-11, and has won each of the past five meetings, including a 41-31 victory in Chapel Hill in 2023.
• Miami enters the contest with five Power 4 wins, one of only seven FBS teams to reach that mark and have won five ACC games by an average of more than 30 points.
• The Hurricanes have been dominant throughout the season, outscoring opponents 343-107 for an FBS-best +236 scoring margin. Miami has scored at least 40 points in six of seven games and owns five wins by at least 28 points.
• Miami leads the FBS in scoring offense (49.0 ppg), total offense (551.9 ypg), yards per play (8.54), passing efficiency and completion percentage. The Hurricanes are also one of only six FBS programs ranked in the top 25 in both total offense and total defense.
• Defensively, Miami has been especially strong against the run, leading the nation by allowing just 60.0 rushing yards per game. The Hurricanes also rank 11th nationally in scoring defense and 21st in total defense.
• QB Darian Mensah has built a Heisman-caliber resume, completing 81.4 percent of his passes for 2,151 yards, 22 touchdowns and one interception. He ranks first nationally in ESPN Total QBR, passing efficiency, completion percentage and yards per attempt.
• WR Malachi Toney has been Mensah’s primary weapon and one of the nation’s most productive players, leading FBS with 66 receptions while totaling 952 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. He has posted 27 catches, 348 yards and five touchdowns over Miami’s past two games.
• North Carolina has shown it can win difficult games, with Power 4 victories over TCU in Dublin and ranked Pitt and Duke on the road. The Tar Heels’ three losses have come against Clemson, Notre Dame and in overtime to Syracuse by a combined 20 points.
• North Carolina’s defense has been dominant this season, allowing 20.9 points per game. LB Derek McDonald ranks among the national leaders with 72 tackles and 10.3 tackles per game, while Xavier Lewis is tied for seventh nationally with 7.0 sacks.
• QB Billy Edwards Jr. has thrown for 1,531 yards and 11 touchdowns this season and will lead an offense that has been highly efficient in scoring territory. North Carolina ranks 23rd nationally in red-zone offense, converting 91.7 percent of its opportunities into points.

Saturday, October 31
Georgia Tech at Pitt | 7:30 p.m. ET
Series: Pitt leads series, 12-6
Last meeting: Pitt, 42-28 (2025)
TV: ESPN2
SiriusXM Radio: SiriusXM 185 / SiriusXM 235 / SiriusXM 264
SiriusXM App: SiriusXM 959 / SiriusXM 974

• Georgia Tech (2-5, 1-3 ACC) visits Pitt (5-3, 2-3) for a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff Saturday on ESPN2.
• Pitt leads the all-time series, 12-6, and has won five of the past six meetings. The Panthers earned a 42-28 road win in Atlanta last season and are 5-2 against Georgia Tech in Pittsburgh.
• Georgia Tech’s offense is led by QB Alberto Mendoza, who ranks 10th nationally in completion percentage (71.2), 16th in completions per game and 24th in passing yards per game. Mendoza has thrown for 1,714 yards and 10 touchdowns.
• RB Justice Haynes leads the Yellow Jackets with 515 rushing yards and four touchdowns, while Trelain Maddox gives the offense another versatile option. Maddox scored three touchdowns in Georgia Tech’s 28-25 win over Duke earlier this season.
• Georgia Tech’s receiving corps has heated up recently. Jordan Allen has totaled 24 catches for 304 yards over the past three games, while Dalen Penson has posted 174 receiving yards across the past two contests.
• The Yellow Jackets will look to rebound after allowing 399 rushing yards in last week’s loss to Boston College.
• Pitt, which will become bowl eligible with a win, opened the season at 5-0 and earned three Power 4 wins, including a 35-33 road victory at Virginia Tech. The Panthers’ three losses have all come since starting QB Mason Heintschel suffered his season-ending injury.
• Pitt remains productive offensively, averaging 31.6 points and 444.3 yards per game. WR Cataurus Hicks has been a major big-play threat, leading the Panthers with 649 receiving yards and five touchdowns.
• Pitt has been especially strong at Acrisure Stadium, going 4-1 at home this season. The Panthers have held opponents to an average of just 11.0 points and 48.0 rushing yards in their five home games.
• Pitt’s defense remains one of the best in all of FBS against the run, allowing just 65.0 rushing yards per game and 2.2 net yards per carry. The Panthers have surrendered only 40 rushing first downs all season.

More from We Speak Media

NAIA Football Notebook: Week 9Watson Throws Four Touchdowns as No. 22 South Carolina State Routs Morgan State 51-10Wolfe’s Field Goal in Overtime Lifts Troy to 24-21 Upset of James MadisonACC Football Week 9 at a Glance: Schedule, Notes and the Conference of QuarterbacksNFC West in Week 8: 49ers Lead Big, Rams Host the Winless Chargers at SoFi StadiumAtlanta Symphony Orchestra Announces Afterglow Series, Small Ensembles Up CloseAFC North in Week 8: Browns and Steelers Fight for First Place in PittsburghNFC North in Week 8: Unbeaten Vikings Face Their Biggest Test Yet at Detroit