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2016 ACC Football Schedule: 5 Games That’ll Shape Conference Title Race
The 2016 ACC football schedule was released on Wednesday. Here are five games that will shape the conference title race.
January 26, 2016
With the release of the 2016 ACC football schedule, we take a look at the five conference games that will matter.
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The highly-anticipated released of the 2016 ACC football schedule is finally came on Wednesday. With game dates set, fans can now circle their calendars and start prepping for the upcoming season. Below is a look at select matchups that will shape the conference title race in 2016.
NOTE: Notre Dame games are being counted on the non-conference side
5 Games That’ll Shape ACC Title Chase
1. Clemson at Florida State, Oct. 29
The winner of the last five meetings between the Tigers and the Seminoles has gone on to capture the ACC crown. And based on returning talent alone, both on the field and on the sidelines, it should surprise no one if that streak balloons to six this December. Clemson and Florida State are the league’s two premier programs, perennially churning out all-stars and NFL Draft picks. This year’s pivotal tilt will take place at Doak Campbell Stadium, where the Seminoles haven’t lost a game in more than three years.
2. Louisville at Clemson, Oct. 1
If there’s going to be a fly in the ACC ointment this fall, it could be Bobby Petrino’s Cardinals. After stumbling out of the blocks in 2015, Louisville finished strong by going 6-1, including a Music City Bowl win over Texas A&M. Plus, it welcomes back a ton of talent after going with youth at keys spots, such as behind center. Petrino doesn’t have a Deshaun Watson on the roster, but his offense ought to be distinctly tougher to handle now that his quarterbacks aren’t so young and green.
3. Florida State at Miami, Oct. 8
It’ll be the Canes and the Noles … with a twist. After witnessing one of the game’s great rivalries as a Miami backup quarterback and a Florida State assistant coach, Mark Richt gets to view it through the lens of the Cane head coach. It’ll be Richt vs. Jimbo Fisher for the first of what should be many meetings. It’ll also be a chance for the Hurricanes to inch closer to their glory days as ACC heavyweights, while stealing some recruiting thunder away from the mighty Seminoles.
4. Florida State at Louisville, Sept. 17
Are the Cardinals poised to turn the Atlantic Division into a three-team race for a change? A Week 3 visit from the Seminoles will go a long way toward sizing up Louisville’s potential in 2016. The Cards are going to be improved now that QB Lamar Jackson is no longer a rookie and the balance of the team returns virtually intact. Getting past Florida State, though, will be a tall order, even at Papa John’s. The Noles, too, figure to be heading north, provided they can revamp the passing attack to support Dalvin Cook’s running.
5. North Carolina at Florida State, Oct. 1
Carolina unexpectedly scaled the Coastal Division mountain in 2015. Now, the Tar Heels plan to remain relevant, despite losing star QB Marquise Williams to graduation. A challenging first half to the season includes an opener with Georgia, a trip to Illinois, a visit from Pitt and this clash with the Seminoles. All eyes will be on Mitch Trubisky, Williams’ heir, who’s been waiting patiently for this opportunity to operate Larry Fedora’s offense. He’ll have his hands full with a Nole secondary banking on Derwin James blooming into the new leading man.
