This weekend proved the ACC may belong to Miami, but the road to Charlotte is going to be anything but predictable. Ranked teams fell, contenders struggled, and one coach’s seat may have finally reached the boiling point.
LOUISVILLE 44, FLORIDA STATE 20
Florida State jumped out to a 14–0 lead—and then completely collapsed.
Louisville scored 44 of the game’s next 50 points and ran for an unbelievable 397 yards. Isaac Brown shredded the Seminoles for 235 yards and two touchdowns.
Florida State didn’t merely lose. It quit responding once Louisville punched back. The same problems keep appearing: poor discipline, questionable decisions and a team that folds when adversity arrives.
Florida State may say it cannot afford to fire Mike Norvell. At this point, I’m not sure it can afford to keep him.
NORTH CAROLINA 21, NO. 25 PITT 17
Bill Belichick finally has his signature college victory.
North Carolina went into Pittsburgh and handed the previously unbeaten Panthers their first loss. The biggest play came early in the fourth quarter when Billy Edwards Jr. found Shamar Easter for a 75-yard touchdown.
Pitt was playing without injured starting quarterback Mason Heintschel, but that shouldn’t take anything away from Carolina. The Tar Heels made the necessary adjustments, played solid defense and finished the game.
This may not make North Carolina an ACC contender, but it gives Belichick something he desperately needed—credibility.
WAKE FOREST 38, NC STATE 14
Wake Forest may be the biggest surprise in the ACC.
NC State led 14–7 during the first half, but Wake Forest completely took over after halftime. The Demon Deacons dominated the third quarter 21–0 and outgained the Wolfpack 195–18 during that period.
Gio Lopez passed for 303 yards and three touchdowns while adding another score on the ground. Jack Foley caught eight passes for 156 yards and a touchdown.
Wake Forest is now 5–1 overall and 3–1 in conference play. It is time to stop treating this team like a cute early-season story. The Demon Deacons are a legitimate factor in the ACC race.
GEORGIA TECH 28, NO. 23 DUKE 25
Duke entered Atlanta undefeated. It left with its first loss.
Trelain Maddox rushed for three touchdowns, including the game-winner with 54 seconds remaining. Duke still had an opportunity to force overtime, but freshman Gavin Strange missed a 34-yard field goal.
This was a huge win for Georgia Tech and a painful loss for Duke. The Blue Devils had a late lead and an opportunity to remain unbeaten, but they couldn’t finish.
Georgia Tech may not be ready to
