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East Carolina is back on the ACC schedule this week, plus Clemson and Florida State play road games against tough opponents. Plenty to write about in Upset Watch this week! Thursday
No. 5 Clemson (3-0) at Georgia Tech (3-0), 7:30 p.m., ESPN. Line: Clemson by 9.5. Clemson has not won in Atlanta since 2003. That stat alone is enough to put the Tigers on upset watch. Factor in a looming game against No. 3 Louisville, and there is just no way this team can afford to overlook the Jackets. Crazy things always seem to happen in Atlanta. Take the last meeting in 2014. Deshaun Watson got hurt early, and Cole Stoudt threw three interceptions -- including pick-sixes. Clemson finished with 190 yards of offense. Watson had a rebound performance against South Carolina State last week, but Georgia Tech offers a much bigger test -- on a short week, no less.  Saturday
No. 13 Florida State (2-1) at USF Bulls (3-0), noon, ABC. Line: Florida State by 6. The big question in this game is: How do the Seminoles respond after a 63-20 loss at Louisville this past weekend? Do they bow up and rebound, or do they let the disappointment linger? USF is not exactly a pushover opponent, either. In their game last year, the teams went into halftime tied at 7 until Dalvin Cook took over in the second half. Cook, however, is not nearly as productive this season as he was to start last season and the Florida State offensive line has been lacking to say the least. Meanwhile, USF ranks in the top 20 nationally in scoring offense and total offense and presents similar challenges to Louisville. East Carolina (2-1) at Virginia Tech (2-1), 12:30 p.m., ACC Digital Network. Line: Virginia Tech by 11. On first glance, the line here is understandable considering how badly the Hokies beat Boston College a week ago. But the oddsmakers are clearly ignoring past history. East Carolina has won two straight over Virginia Tech and six straight overall against ACC competition, including a win earlier this season over NC State. In 2013 and 2014, ECU swept its ACC competition. So the Hokies know they have to be extra wary headed into this game and figure out how to slow down ECU receiver Zay Jones, who had 22 receptions a week ago in a loss to South Carolina. Pitt (2-1) at North Carolina (2-1), 3:30 p.m., ESPNU. Line: North Carolina by 7.5. Each of the last five meetings between the schools has been decided by a touchdown or less, so it seems safe to say this is going to be another close game between two teams expected to contend for the Coastal Division. Pittsburgh showed serious weaknesses in the secondary last week against Oklahoma State, and passing offense is where North Carolina has had the most success so far this season. Meanwhile, Pitt is averaging 239 yards rushing and will challenge a UNC run defense that continues to struggle (allowing 226.7 yards per game). If Pitt can run the ball and control the clock, it could be a long day for the Tar Heels.
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