ACC Rooting Guide: Week 14

ACC Rooting Guide: Week 14Story byMichael SchiffmanThu, November 27, 2025 at 3:00 PM UTC·6 min read

It’s Rivalry Week! It’s also possible for five teams to have a chance to play in Charlotte next weekend. A quick note: last week someone in the comments noted I should have rooted for Stanford due to the opponents winning percentage tiebreaker possibly coming into play. That person was probably right, but that is way too much work for me to do for my dumb ACC Rooting Guide article. I am going with the obvious answers this week.

I’m not going with a Matchup of the week since there are so many important ones. Let’s enjoy the stakes and do some rooting!

AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement#4 Georgia @ #23 Georgia Tech – 11/28 at 3:30 PM EST, TV – ABC

Because Georgia Tech doesn’t have as much money as they’d like, this game is being played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium instead of Bobby Dodd. That means this is going to me much closer to a home game for the Bulldogs. I could see the Yellow Jackets keeping it close for a while since this is a rivalry game and they have a potent offense. It’s their defense that’s concerning. They’ve been torched the last few weeks by NC State, Boston College, and Pitt. I think Kirby Smart’s squad gets it done, plus Miami fans want that since GT beating Georgia would be a HUGE win for the Yellow Jackets, and could likely boost them over the Canes in the CFP rankings. Let’s go Georgia.

Clemson @ South Carolina – 11/29 at 12:00 PM EST, TV – SECN

The Disappointment Bowl is here! At least Clemson is going to a bowl game. South Carolina has seven losses, one of them being to Texas A&M two weeks ago. You know, the game where the Gamecocks led 30-3 at halftime. 30-3! Not even Conservative Cristobal could give up that lead. I think that game broke Shane Beamer’s squad. On the other side, Dabo Swinney has some momentum with the Tigers putting up big offensive numbers the past two months. This offseason will be very interesting for both of these programs. Let’s go Clemson.

AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementKentucky @ Louisville – 11/29 at 12:00 PM EST, TV – ACCN

Behind Duke vs UNC, I’d have to say Kentucky vs Louisville is the other rivalry matchup that is far bigger and more important in basketball than it is in football. Still, both coaches could really use a win going into 2026. The Cardinals have lost three games in a row after being in CFP contention. The Wildcats did have a three-game winning streak to start November after a four-game slide. Then they played Vanderbilt last weekend and got stomped, 45-17. I’m frustrated that Louisville has made Miami’s loss to them look this bad. Let’s go Kentucky.

Boston College @ Syracuse – 11/29 at 3:00 PM EST, TV – CW

Do I have to write anything about this game? BC is awful, but they seem to care. The Eagles almost beat Georgia Tech, plus they played Notre Dame tough in a 25-10 loss. No one talks about that being a “close call” for the Irish though, do they? Do they?! Sorry, getting fired up. I don’t care much for Syracuse or their coach Fran Brown. This is an easy one for me. Let’s go Boston College.

AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWake Forest @ Duke – 11/29 at 3:30 PM EST, TV – ACCN

Okay. We finally get to a matchup that directly affects the Canes. The Demon Deacons are the ACC’s best story in 2025. They should have upset GT if not for a missed offsides call. They did beat SMU at home and Virginia on the road. They are a solid football team. Duke has been all over the place in 2025. Manny Diaz’s squad somehow went 1-3 in non-conference play, yet they are still mathematically alive to play in Charlotte next weekend. The Blue Devils do not deserve to play for the conference championship, and that’s without my Miami bias. Let’s go Wake Forest.

FSU @ Florida – 11/29 at 4:30 PM EST, TV – ESPN2

The Florida Gators football program seem to be waiting on Lane Kiffin’s decision that is coming this Saturday night or Sunday I presume. That’s not stressful at all for their fans. Meanwhile, Seminoles fans know they have Mike Norvell leading their program for at least one more season. That’s definitely worse. Every FSU fan with a microphone seems to be livid over the news. I, along with just about all other Miami fans, find it hilarious. I don’t see more transfers and a decent high school recruiting class making a huge difference in one year. Oh, and I hope Kiffin picks Ole Miss or LSU over Florida. Let’s go Gators.

AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementVirginia Tech @ #18 Virginia – 11/29 at 7:00 PM EST, TV – ESPN

After watching the Hokies gash Miami repeatedly in the run game last week, I see no reason why they shouldn’t be able to do the same to the Cavaliers in Charlottesville on Saturday. That is my only hope. Virginia is coming off a bye, fields the better roster, and has a ton to play for. I know the Canes are the highest ranked ACC team right now, but the Cavaliers have the clearest path to the CFP. This upset would be gigantic for reasons beyond Miami. Let’s go Virginia Tech.

UNC @ NC State – 11/29 at 7:30 PM EST, TV – ACCN

I wonder if Belichick is coming back to Chapel Hill in 2026. It’s been quiet there recently, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s staying for a second season. His UNC team is coming off back-to-back losses to Wake Forest and Duke. A third in a row to another in-state rival would be a tough way to end the season. On the other hand, the Wolfpack can end the season on a two-game winning streak over previously powerful ACC programs. Not bad! If CJ Bailey comes back next season at quarterback, the Wolfpack have something to build on. Let’s go NC State.

AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement#21 SMU @ Cal – 11/29 at 8:00 PM EST, TV – ESPN2

SMU has been the most successful team in the ACC since the school joined the conference before last season. As a Miami fan, that is incredibly frustrating. I really liked Rhett Lashlee when he was the offensive coordinator for the Canes. His offense was dynamic and he was a good play caller. When he left to be the head man at his alma mater, I thought he would be good, but not this good. Impressive. Playing at Cal is never fun, but shouldn’t be as bad for a team traveling from Dallas as opposed to the Southeast. I doubt I will ever be a bigger Cal fan than I will be this Saturday night. Let’s go Cal.

#9 Notre Dame @ Stanford – 11/29 at 10:30 PM EST, TV – ESPN

In what has been a chaotic year of college football, an upset of Notre Dame by this Stanford team to close out the regular season would be more than appropriate. Interim coach Frank Reich would be carried off the field by his players. Andrew Luck would have no voice left for his postgame interview. PAC-10 football after dark would be back. Ah, one can dream. Sadly, the Irish seem to get every benefit of the doubt over Miami from the CFP committee, ESPN talking heads, the AP Poll, etc. It really does feel like Catholics vs Convicts. Let’s go Stanford.

See you next week!

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