The Clemson-Florida State game should be an epic matchup, and we can't wait.
Unfortunately, that game is next week. This week, we have to live with the likes of Pitt-Virginia Tech as the ACC's marquee matchup.
Think of this week as the calm before the storm.
Here's a look at all the games involving ACC teams this week:
6. Navy at Duke, Saturday, 12:30 p.m. ET, ACC syndication
Rating: 1 star
The skinny: Duke senior CB Ross Cockrell (6-0, 180) was seen as a third-day draft prospect before the season, but he has struggled and is unlikely to get much action in this one except against the run. If Duke has any hope of getting to a bowl, it needs to beat the Midshipmen.
5. Syracuse at NC State, Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ACC syndication
Rating: 1.5 stars
The skinny: NC State is hoping starting QB Brandon Mitchell is back from a foot injury; he has missed the past four games. NCSU will be without star OT Rob Crisp (concussion). Syracuse needs senior DT Jay Bromley (6-4, 285) to muck up things in the middle.
4. Virginia at Maryland, Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPNU
Rating: 2 stars
The skinny: Maryland was embarrassed last week by Florida State, which overshadowed Virginia's loss to Ball State. There is a good individual matchup with Maryland sophomore WR Stefon Diggs going against Virginia junior CB Demetrious Nicholson. The Terps are in trouble if senior QB C.J. Brown, who was knocked out of last week's loss with a concussion, can't play.
3. Boston College at Clemson, Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC regional/ESPN2
Rating: 2 stars
The skinny: Boston College has lost 11 in a row to ranked opponents, and that streak should reach 12 this week. Even if Clemson is looking ahead to next week's showdown, the Tigers would seem to have way too much firepower for BC. Boston College senior LBs Kevin Pierre-Louis and Steele Divitto are solid players that could get drafted, but the BC secondary is in for a long day trying to stop Clemson QB Tajh Boyd and WR Sammy Watkins. Clemson DE Vic Beasley leads the nation with eight sacks, but BC has a solid pair of tackles in Matt Patchan and Ian White. BC WR Alex Amidon is underrated and could pose problems for Clemson's secondary, which is competent but nothing more.
2. Georgia Tech at BYU, Saturday, 7 p.m. ET, ESPNU
Rating: 3 stars
The skinny: BYU senior OLB Kyle Van Noy is seen as a first-rounder by some analysts and his work against the run will be on full view against the Yellow Jackets' triple-option attack. The flipside: Georgia Tech's linebackers, most notably rising-star sophomore ILB Jabari Hunt-Days, can make an impact against a BYU team that relies heavily on the run. Neither team is effective throwing the ball, and if you tune in, you'll likely see some of the worst-looking passes in any FBS game this weekend. Thing is, BYU senior WR Cody Hoffman (6-4, 210) is talented and would be a 70-catch guy on a team with a quarterback who could throw.
1. Pittsburgh at Virginia Tech, Saturday, 12 p.m. ET, ESPNU
Rating: 3 stars
The skinny: Virginia Tech has won five in a row since losing its opener to Alabama, thanks to a defense that has been one of the best in the nation. Pitt QB Tom Savage (6-5, 230) needs to be sharp -- and kept upright -- if the Panthers are to pull the upset. When he has time to throw, the immobile Savage is dangerous; he has a strong arm and can make all the throws. When he is pressured, though, his mechanics have a tendency to break down and he sails passes everywhere. Uh-oh: Virginia Tech leads the nation in sacks and interceptions. Pitt WRs Tyler Boyd and Devin Street are one of the nation's best tandems, and they'll try to get open against one of the top cornerback groups in the nation. Tech is hoping senior CB Antone Exum can play; he has missed all season recovering from knee surgery. He was seen as a likely first-round pick before blowing out his knee in a pickup basketball game in January. He would join Kyle Fuller, Kendall Fuller and Brandon Facyson for a strong quartet of corners. Keep an eye on Pitt senior DT Aaron Donald (6-0, 285), a major disruptive force in the middle. He already has six sacks, and if he can bother Hokies senior QB Logan Thomas, so much the better for Pitt. Thomas has played two strong games in a row; can he make it three?
Mike Huguenin can be reached at mike.huguenin@nfl.com. You also can follow him on Twitter @MikeHuguenin.
