What to Watch: College Football Week Three

Though we’re still a long way from naming the ACC’s divisional winners, each week remains critical in determining who gets to head to Charlotte for the conference championship game and who has to stay home. With another slate of games looming on the horizon, then, it’s time to take a look at some of the matchups in Week Three that may have an impact on Virginia’s chances for success in 2019.

North Carolina Tar Heels at Wake Forest Demon Deacons

This non-conference matchup (yes, you read that right) gets ACC Week Three play going this evening. The Tar Heels, who have become somewhat of the darlings of college football so far, thanks to the heroics of true freshman quarterback Sam Howell and the revival of Mack Brown, look to make it three straight with a win over their Tobacco Road rivals.

TV - Friday, ESPN, 6:00 PM

Florida State Seminoles at #25 Virginia Cavaliers

Florida State enters Scott Stadium on Saturday night reeling in Head Coach Willie Taggart’s second year. After blowing an 18-point lead in their opener versus Boise State, the Seminoles needed a missed extra point in overtime to survive Louisiana-Monroe - a team they were 23.5 point favorites over - in Week Two. Virginia, on the other hand, comes in to this contest with confidence, as they hope to keep gaining momentum towards a potential first ever Coastal crown by besting the ‘Noles on Saturday night.

TV - Saturday, ACC Network, 7:30 PM

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Pittsburgh Panthers at #13 Penn State Nittany Lions

Not too much on the line here in terms of divisional positioning, but it will be interesting to see how Pittsburgh hangs with a Penn State team that has College Football Playoff upside. If the Panthers are somehow able to pull off the upset, it would certainly enhance UVA’s resume, given that the Cavaliers knocked them off in Week One.

TV - Saturday, ABC, 12:00 PM

#1 Clemson Tigers at Syracuse Orange

The marquee matchup that was supposed to be Syracuse-Clemson this weekend lost some steam last Saturday when the Orange were embarrassed on the road at Maryland, 63-20. Can Dino Babers and company return to form in time to give the Tigers some trouble for a third consecutive year?

TV - Saturday, ABC, 7:30 PM

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