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ACC upset watch: Week 8

In the Week 6 upset watch, No. 3-ranked Florida State at NC State was No. 3 on this list. Virginia Tech at North Carolina was No. 1. Both of those upsets came to fruition. Dare I rank the Noles again?

1. NC State at Maryland: If NC State wins, I don’t think it’s an upset. The standings, though, say otherwise. Maryland is 2-0 and leading the Atlantic Division. There are only three teams in the ACC that control their own destinies, and two of them are playing in College Park this weekend. The other is Virginia Tech. Speaking of the Hokies …

2. Virginia Tech at No. 19 Clemson: For three quarters against Duke, Virginia Tech played its most complete game of the season. The defense kept the Blue Devils scoreless, and the offense scored 41 unanswered points. If Virginia Tech can build off of that performance in Death Valley, the Tigers could be in trouble. It won’t be easy, though, without starting center Andrew Miller, who suffered a season-ending ankle injury against Duke last week.

3. No. 14 Florida State at Miami: No way. Not with THAT defense. Not with a backup quarterback, right? Look, when these two teams play, it’s like any storied rivalry -- anything can happen. Miami starting quarterback Stephen Morris may or may not play. On paper, Miami’s defense has been an open door. FSU should run right through it. It also should have beaten NC State.