CLEMSON – Each week The Clemson Insider takes a deep dive into the weekend matchups in the Atlantic Coast Conference. This week we get a chance to dive into rivalry week, some say it is the most exciting weekend in college football.
This Saturday No. 24 Clemson concludes the regular season when it visits in-state rival South Carolina at Williams Brice Stadium in Columbia at 7:30 p.m.
Friday
Miami (6-5, 2-5 ACC) at Boston College (6-5, 3-4 ACC) Noon, ABC
Latest Line: Miami -8
What to watch for: Both teams are looking to snap losing streaks to finish up the regular season in Chestnut Hill, Mass., on Friday. From 1991-2003, the two teams were conference opponents in the Big East with Miami winning all 12 contests. Since joining the ACC, BC leads the series 3-2. BC ranks second in the ACC and 17th in the nation with an average of 198.1 rush yards per game.
Saturday
Kentucky (6-5, 3-5 SEC) at No. 10 Louisville (10-1, 6-1 ACC) Noon, ABC
Latest Line: Louisville -7
What to watch for: Louisville, who clinched a spot in the 2023 ACC Championship Game, has won 11 straight games at home entering the Governor’s Cup this Saturday. Kentucky enters the game at 6-5 and has lost five of their last six games after starting the season 5-0. The Wildcats hope to extend their regular season non-conference win streak of 19 games with a win.
Pitt (3-8, 2-5 ACC) at Duke (6-5, 3-4 ACC) Noon, ACCN
Latest Line: Duke -6
What to watch for: Pitt is 8-1 against Duke in the ACC and has won each of the past seven meetings. Under Pat Narduzzi, the Panthers are 7-0 versus Duke. On Sept. 29, 1951, Duke defeated Pitt, 19-14, in the first live nationwide telecast of a sporting event, as NBC was responsible for the landmark broadcast. The inaugural game of the series was on Oct. 5, 1929, when Pitt defeated host Duke, 52-7, in the first game ever played at what is now known as Wallace Wade Stadium.
Wake Forest (4-7, 1-6 ACC) at Syracuse (5-6, 1-6 ACC) 2 p.m., The CW
Latest Line: Syracuse -3
What to watch for: Syracuse will have interim head coach Nunzio Campanile as the Orange try to become bowl eligible for the second straight year. It would be the first time Syracuse has gone to a bowl game in back-to-back seasons since 2012 and 2013. Wake Forest is on a three-game win streak against Syracuse and look to make it four, while looking to snap a four-game losing streak. The Deacs are allowing 379.3 yards per game, while the Orange have allowed 377.8 yards per outing on the year.
Virginia Tech (5-6, 4-3 ACC) at Virginia (3-8, 2-5 ACC) 3:30 p.m., ACCN
Latest Line: VT -3
What to watch for: The Commonwealth Clash returns after last year’s game was cancelled following the tragic shooting of three Virginia players and will be the first for both second-year head coaches Brent Pry and Tony Elliot. Virginia is coming off a win over Duke at home and will look to end the season with a two-game winning streak with a win on Senior Day. The Hokies need a win to become bowl eligible for the first time in the Pry era.
No. 5 Florida State (11-0, 8-0 ACC) at Florida (5-6, 3-5 ACC) 7 p.m., ESPN
Latest Line: FSU -6.5
What to watch for: Florida State and Florida match up for the 67th time in the 36th all-time meeting between the two teams in Gainesville, Fla. Florida State will look to finish the regular season undefeated at 12-0 for the first time since 2014. Florida needs a win to be bowl eligible for the second consecutive year under head coach Billy Napier. The Seminoles are going to be without star quarterback Jordan Travis after his lower leg injury last week, junior Tate Rodemaker will look to ride off into the sunset with a victory over the Gators. Florida will also be without its starting quarterback, as Graham Mertz injured his non-throwing shoulder. Freshman Max Brown will get the start for the Gators.
No. 24 Clemson (7-4, 4-4 ACC) at South Carolina (5-6, 3-5 SEC) 7:30 p.m., SECN
Latest Line: Clemson -7
What to watch for: This is the 120th meeting between these two Palmetto State schools in a rivalry that dates back to 1896. The Tigers hold a 72-43-4 lead in the all-time series, including a 53-32-3 advantage in Columbia. Clemson is on a three-game winning streak entering the rivalry contest and will look to become just the fifth team in all of FBS to have at least eight wins in each of the last four seasons. The Tigers are 7-3 all-time in night games in Columbia, including a two-game win streak. Clemson has won four straight overall at Williams-Brice Stadium.
No. 1 Georgia (11-0, 8-0 SEC) at Georgia Tech (6-5, 5-3 ACC) 7:30 p.m., ABC
Latest Line: UGA -24
What to watch for: Georgia has won the Governor’s Cup Trophy and the “Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate” matchup each of the last five years. The Bulldogs have also won 11 straight meetings over the Yellow Jackets in Atlanta. The high-powered Georgia Tech offense ranks 19th nationally in rushing yards per game at 196.4 yards per outing and 30th in all of FBS in total offense, averaging 435.1 yards per game. Georgia’s defense ranks 14th nationally in passing defense, allowing 178.2 yards per game, 21st in rushing defense at 109.9 yards per game, and ninth in total defense at 288.1 yards per game.
North Carolina (8-3, 4-3 ACC) at No. 22 NC State (8-3, 5-2 ACC) 8 p.m., ACCN
Latest Line: UNC -2.5
What to watch for: Saturday’s game will mark the 113th meeting in the series between the Wolfpack and the Tar Heels. North Carolina holds a 68-38-6 overall lead over NC State in the all-time series. The Pack won in Raleigh 34-30 in 2021 and in a double overtime thriller in Chapel Hill last season, 30-27. North Carolina’s offense leads the ACC and ranks third nationally in total offense, with an average of 514.8 total yards of offense per game.
To honor Clemson’s special senior class Dear Old Clemson is selling footballs signed by 7 of Clemson’s Avengers for only $100. These limited edition footballs are signed by Thomas, Orhorhoro, Davis, Mascoll, Henry, Murphy and Williams. Get one while supplies last.
