By Carlos Pineda
SouthernPigskin.com

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Since 2009, the winner of the FSU-Clemson game has played in the ACC Championship.

No. 22 Clemson (1-1) at No. 1 Florida State (2-0) – 8 p.m. ET – ABC

Background: This series has become the marquee matchup in the ACC. Since 2009, the winner has represented the Atlantic Division in the conference championship game, and won three straight titles. Florida State has won the last two meetings, outscoring the Tigers 100-51. Last year, QB Jameis Winston threw for 444 yards and three touchdowns as FSU crushed Clemson 51-14. The game was billed as the biggest game in the history of the ACC. Both teams were ranked in the top five.

The big news this week out of Tallahassee is that Winston will miss the first half of the game for making a lewd comment off the field. Sean Maguire, a redshirt sophomore, will be making his first career start in prime time. Both the Seminoles and Tigers enter this game off a bye week. And FSU has won a school-record 18 games in a row. Clemson is looking for payback after getting stunned at home last year.

Clemson receiver Artavis Scott was named the ACCs Player of the Week following his performance against S.C. State x94 six catches for 164 yards and two touchdowns. Florida States Rashad Greene leads the ACC with 141.5 receiving yards per game.

Georgia Tech (3-0) at Virginia Tech (2-1) – Noon ET – ESPN

Background: The “Tech” schools will meet for the 11th time as members of the ACC, and 12th overall, with Virginia Tech winning the last four in the series and leading 8-2 since joining the league in 2004. Georgia Tech’s last win came in 2009.

The Hokies are coming off a 28-21 loss to East Carolina last week, while the Yellow Jackets needed a last minute touchdown to beat Georgia Southern 42-38. Virginia Tech was in a hole early, trailing 21-0. The Hokies fourth-quarter rally fell short. QB Michael Brewer finished 32 of 56 for 298 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions. The defense gave up 427 passing yards to Pirates’ QB Shane Carden, who threw for three touchdowns and added a rushing score.

Georgia Tech had a 35-10 lead fizzle out. The Eagles scored 28 second-half points and on their way to a big upset until Yellow Jacket QB Justin Thomas threw a 13-yard touchdown with 23 seconds remaining. Thomas had four touchdown passes in that game.

Miami (2-1) at No. 22 Nebraska (3-0) – 8 p.m. – ESPN2
Background: Miami and Nebraska last played in the 2002 Rose Bowl when the Hurricanes claimed their fifth national championship. Miami won its first title in 1983 against the Huskers in a game considered to be the greatest in college football history. Nebraska was down 31-30 when coach Tom Osborne opted to go for two and the win. Three of Miami’s national titles came against Nebraska. In 1994, Osborne finally won his first title by beating Miami 24-17 in the Orange Bowl.

Miami’s Phillip Dorsett had four catches for 201 yards and two touchdowns against Arkansas State last week. Brad Kaaya also set a program record for a true freshman with 342 passing yards. Nebraska defeated Fresno State 55-19, marking the fourth time in seven seasons under Bo Pelini that the Huskers started 3-0. With his 110-yard performance, running back Ameer Abdulla is now ranked in the top five on Nebraskas career rushing list, with 3,373 yards.

North Carolina (2-0) at East Carolina (2-1) – 3:30 p.m. ET – ESPNU

Background: East Carolina has made it a habit recently of beating ACC teams. The Pirates have won three in a row against the conference x94 including last week’s upset over Virginia Tech in Blacksburg. They scored 55 points in their win over North Carolina last season and had 603 yards of offense in that game. QB Carden passed for 376 yards and running back Vintavious Cooper rushed for 186 yards. North Carolina last played in Greenville in 2011, a 35-20 win.

Following a week off, the Tar Heels play their first road game of the season. Most recently, the Tar Heels used a second half spark to defeat San Diego State 31-27. Cornerback Brian Walker picked off two passes that game, including a 100-yard return for a touchdown. They are looking to go 3-0 for only the third time since 1998.

Rest of Schedule

Iowa at Pitt – Noon ET – ESPNU
Maryland at Syracuse – 12:30 p.m. ET – ACC Network
Tulane at Duke – 12:30 p.m. ET – RSN
Maine at Boston College – 1 p.m. – ESPN3
Virginia at BYU – 3:30 p.m. – ESPN
Louisville at FIU – 3:30 p.m. – Fox Sports 1
Army at Wake Forest – 3:30 p.m. – ESPN3
Presbyterian at NC State – 6 p.m. – ESPN 3