Pittsburgh, Virginia Tech meet as unbeaten teams in a coaching reunion as part of ACC's weekly slate
Miami running back Chris Wheatley-Humphrey (25) celebrates with wide receiver Somourian Wingo (12) after scoring a touchdown as Central Michigan defensive back Jamari Allen (21) walks off during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/David Santiago)
Things to watch this weekend in the Atlantic Coast Conference:
Game of the week
Pittsburgh (4-0, 1-0 ACC) at Virginia Tech (4-0, 1-0), Friday, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN)
This is James Franklin's first run through the ACC as the Hokies' coach, but it won't be the first time he'll match up with longtime Panthers coach Pat Narduzzi. The two met four times from 2016-19 when Franklin was in the midst of a 12-year run at Penn State.
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Pittsburgh, Virginia Tech meet as unbeaten teams in a coaching reunion as part of ACC's weekly slate
Miami running back Chris Wheatley-Humphrey (25) celebrates with wide receiver Somourian Wingo (12) after scoring a touchdown as Central Michigan defensive back Jamari Allen (21) walks off during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/David Santiago)
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By AARON BEARD
Things to watch this weekend in the Atlantic Coast Conference:
Game of the week
Pittsburgh (4-0, 1-0 ACC) at Virginia Tech (4-0, 1-0), Friday, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN)
This is James Franklin's first run through the ACC as the Hokies' coach, but it won't be the first time he'll match up with longtime Panthers coach Pat Narduzzi. The two met four times from 2016-19 when Franklin was in the midst of a 12-year run at Penn State.
Pitt took the first meeting in 2016, which was the first between the Panthers and Nittany Lions since 2000. Penn State won the next three.
This time, they leading unbeaten teams hovering outside the AP Top 25 poll.
The undercard
No. 4 Miami (4-0, 2-0) at Clemson (3-1, 2-0), Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
The Hurricanes are rolling as the league's preseason favorite, though they've been a bit battered by injuries going back to a win at Wake Forest on Sept. 18. They blew out Central Michigan last weekend with the latest high-efficiency showing from an offense led by quarterback Darian Mensah — leading the country in completion percentage at 88.7% — and top receiver Malachi Toney (No. 3 in the Bowl Subdivision at 141 yards per game).
— North Carolina QB Billy Edwards Jr. The former Maryland and Wisconsin passer got off to a good start by leading the Tar Heels past TCU to open the season in Ireland and an easy home win against East Tennessee State. But Edwards threw for just 135 yards while completing 13 of 30 passes (43.3%) in the loss at Clemson and the Tar Heels haven't been connecting consistently for downfield gains. Now comes a test with Saturday's visit from No. 3 Notre Dame.
— Stanford QB Davis Warren. The senior who played previously at Michigan threw for a career-best 396 yards and three touchdowns in the Cardinal's comeback win against Georgia Tech last week that marked new coach Tavita Pritchard's first league win. Warren has thrown five TD passes with no interceptions entering Saturday's trip to Wake Forest.
Inside the numbers
No. 21 SMU hosts Boston College on Saturday as the league's only other AP Top 25 team. The Mustangs are 15-3 in ACC regular-season play since joining the league for the 2024 season. ... Virginia visits Florida State on Saturday for its second league game. The Cavaliers' first once came five weeks earlier, beating N.C. State in Week Zero. ... Syracuse visits UConn on Saturday having won the last six meetings, including in each of the past two seasons. ... Duke and Georgia Tech have open weeks.
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