Unbeaten Supremacy and Revenge Games: The ACC at Mid-October

As the college football season reaches Week 8, the ACC has firmly established itself as a league of elite contenders and thrilling parity. Five teams remain undefeated in conference play—the most of any league in the nation—setting the stage for a critical slate of games that will reshape the top of the standings.

With Miami (#2) and Georgia Tech (#12) leading the charge, and Virginia (#18) newly ranked, the ACC boasts three teams in both the AP and US LBM Coaches Polls. The Yellow Jackets have already punched their ticket to bowl eligibility, while Miami and Virginia can join them with wins this weekend.

Here is a deep dive into the Week 8 matchups that will decide who stays on top and who begins the long descent.

The Coastal Showdown: Louisville (4-1, 1-1) at Miami (5-0, 1-0)

The weekend kicks off Friday night with the Schnellenberger Trophy Game, named after the iconic former coach of both programs. This is a battle of defensive strength and offensive efficiency.

• Defensive Giants: Both defenses rank in the top-16 nationally, with Louisville allowing 262 yards per game and Miami just behind at 276.4.
• Veteran Offense: With seasoned quarterbacks leading the way, both teams average over 400 yards of offense and have been exceptional at ball security, logging only nine turnovers each for the season. The winner here will gain a significant early advantage in the conference race.

The Headliner: Georgia Tech (6-0, 3-0) at Duke (4-2, 3-0)

The game of the week pits two unbeaten conference teams against each other in a battle for first place.

• Historic Stakes: Georgia Tech rides a six-game overall winning streak, its first 6-0 start since 2011, and its ranking of No. 12 is its highest since 2014. They are the first team in the ACC to officially achieve bowl eligibility.
• Duke’s Defense: The Blue Devils are looking for their first win over a ranked opponent since 2023 and are aiming to go 4-0 in league play for the first time since 1994. They enter the contest on a six-game conference winning streak dating back to last season, making this a true clash of momentum.

The Revenge Game: SMU (4-2, 2-0) vs. Clemson (3-3, 2-2)

This matchup is a rematch of the 2024 ACC Championship Game, which Clemson won on a walk-off field goal. The Mustangs are on an astonishing 19-game regular season winning streak dating back to 2022—the longest active streak in the nation—and are 10-0 in regular season games since joining the ACC.

Clemson is also hot, winning their last two games by a combined score of 79-20. Their victory over Boston College saw them post-season highs in total offense (504 yards), rushing (226 yards), and rushing touchdowns (4). This game is about which streak—SMU’s regular-season dominance or Clemson’s recent offensive surge—will survive.

Other Key Conference Matchups

• North Carolina (2-3, 0-1) at California (4-2, 1-1): The Tar Heels, the least-flagged team in the ACC (only 25 penalties), face a tough test against the Golden Bears’ second-ranked pass defense in the ACC (4th nationally), which allows only 206.8 yards per game.
• Pittsburgh (4-2, 2-1) at Syracuse (3-3, 1-2): Pitt, fresh off knocking Florida State out of the rankings, brings the nation’s third-ranked team in tackles-for-loss (8.7 per game) against a Syracuse offense that is first in the ACC in passing. The Panthers’ defense, ranked seventh in the country against the rush, will be challenged by the Orange’s ability to throw the ball.
• Florida State (3-3, 0-3) vs. Stanford (2-4, 1-2): FSU is desperately searching for its first conference win. Their powerful offense, which ranks fifth in the nation in scoring (44.2 points per game) and third in total offense (536.5 yards per game), faces a Stanford defense that has only allowed five rushing touchdowns all season.

The ACC is currently a league of surprises and high-level play. With the most unbeaten teams in conference play, Week 8 is set to be the decisive step that solidifies the top tier heading into the meat of the November schedule.