The ACC enters the weekend with three undefeated teams, but Miami gets the week off. That leaves Pitt and Duke trying to protect perfect records while Florida State and Louisville fight to keep their seasons from slipping away.

Here is how I see the weekend unfolding.

FLORIDA STATE AT LOUISVILLE
Friday, 7 p.m. — ESPN

This is the pressure game of the weekend.

Florida State may have finally discovered its identity in a dominant 38-7 win over Virginia. Ashton Daniels accounted for five rushing touchdowns, while the Seminoles’ defense recorded 10 sacks and allowed only 2.8 yards per play.

Now we find out whether that performance represented real improvement or merely one great afternoon.

Louisville has dropped two straight and enters at 2-3. Lincoln Kienholz is expected to play, but the Cardinals must protect him against an aggressive Florida State defensive front. Louisville will try to exploit a Seminoles secondary that has been vulnerable when the pass rush fails to get home.

Florida State also brings a 10-game road losing streak into Louisville. That is difficult to ignore, but the Seminoles looked like a different football team last weekend.

JB’S PICK: Florida State 34, Louisville 30

NORTH CAROLINA AT NO. 25 PITT
Noon — ESPN

Pitt is 5-0 and has emerged as one of the conference’s biggest surprises. The Panthers are physical, disciplined and comfortable winning close games.

North Carolina has struggled to establish an identity and now faces a Pitt team that should control the line of scrimmage. The Tar Heels cannot afford turnovers or empty possessions because Pitt is built to make opponents play from behind.

The concern for the Panthers is the health of their quarterback position. That could eventually become a major factor in the ACC race, but North Carolina has not shown enough consistency to take advantage of it.

JB’S PICK: Pitt 30, North Carolina 20

WAKE FOREST AT NC STATE
Noon — The CW

This could be the best game of the afternoon.

Wake Forest enters at 4-1 and has already demonstrated that it can win away from home. The Demon Deacons are experienced, well-coached and capable of forcing opponents into uncomfortable situations.

NC State is coming off a 31-28 victory over Louisville and will have the home-field advantage in a rivalry that usually produces close games. The Wolfpack cannot allow Wake Forest to dictate the tempo or consistently win on early downs.

Expect a fourth-quarter game decided by a turnover, special-teams play or final possession.

JB’S PICK: Wake Forest 27, NC State 24

DUKE AT GEORGIA TECH
3:30 p.m. — ESPN2

Duke is undefeated, but this feels like the kind of road game that can reveal whether a team is a legitimate ACC contender.

The Blue Devils have been steady and disciplined. They do not beat themselves, and that is significant against a Georgia Tech team that has struggled to put complete games together.

The Yellow Jackets have enough athletic ability to make Duke uncomfortable, especially if they establish the running game. But until Georgia Tech proves it can play four consistent quarters, Duke deserves the benefit of the doubt.

JB’S PICK: Duke 31, Georgia Tech 23

VIRGINIA TECH AT CALIFORNIA
3:30 p.m. — ACC Network

Virginia Tech must travel across the country, making this one of the most difficult games to evaluate.

The Hokies have been competitive and have already shown they can win away from home. California has struggled, but the combination of travel, a different environment and a potentially slow start makes this dangerous for Virginia Tech.

The Hokies need to run the football, control the clock and avoid allowing Cal to build early momentum. If Virginia Tech settles into the game before halftime, it should have the better overall team.

JB’S PICK: Virginia Tech 27, California 20

STANFORD AT NO. 3 NOTRE DAME
3:30 p.m. — NBC

This is technically an ACC-related game, but it should not be competitive for long.

Notre Dame is undefeated, ranked third nationally and playing like a legitimate national championship contender. Stanford is rebuilding and simply does not have enough talent or depth to withstand four quarters against the Irish.

Notre Dame should establish the running game, dominate both lines of scrimmage and begin emptying the bench during the second half.

JB’S PICK: Notre Dame 45, Stanford 10

SYRACUSE AT VIRGINIA
7:30 p.m. — ACC Network

Both teams desperately need this one.

Virginia must respond after being embarrassed 38-7 by Florida State. Its offensive line surrendered 10 sacks, the running game disappeared and the Cavaliers never established any rhythm.

Syracuse is 2-2 overall and 0-2 in the ACC. The Orange are young, still searching for their best lineup and dealing with questions along the offensive line and in the backfield.

Virginia should have the advantage at home, but this will become dangerous if the Cavaliers allow last week’s loss to carry over. Expect Virginia to lean heavily on its running game and try to rebuild its confidence.

JB’S PICK: Virginia 30, Syracuse 20

JB’S ACC GAME OF THE WEEK

Florida State at Louisville

This may not feature the conference’s two best teams, but it carries the greatest sense of urgency. Florida State is trying to build momentum before facing unbeaten Miami. Louisville is trying to prevent a disappointing start from becoming a lost season.

The loser leaves Friday night with serious questions about the direction of its program.

UPSET ALERT

Wake Forest over NC State

The Demon Deacons have quietly become one of the more dependable teams in the conference. NC State has the home field, but Wake Forest has the experience and composure to steal this one late.

ACC STORYLINE TO WATCH

Are Pitt and Duke legitimate championship contenders?

Both teams are undefeated, but October is when pleasant surprises must become complete football teams. Pitt appears to have the easier assignment this weekend. Duke faces the more revealing test.

If both survive, the ACC championship race becomes much more interesting.