What to Watch: College Football Week Five

Of course, we all know the Virginia Cavaliers face one of their stiffest tests of the season this Saturday, but what else is worth paying attention to as we enter the meat of the ACC schedule? Let’s take a look.

Duke Blue Devils at Virginia Tech Hokies

It’s hard to gage where Duke stands heading into Week Five. After getting expectedly torched by Alabama in Week One, they took care of two non-Power 5 teams in North Carolina A&T and Middle Tennessee State. Virginia Tech, we know, however, has been downright disappointing thus far, gutting out wins over Furman and Old Dominion, and losing at BC. Suffice it to say, a win here for either team could really help build positive momentum as conference play continues.

TV - Friday, ESPN, 7:00 PM

Lee Luther Jr.-USA TODAY Sports

#18 Virginia Cavaliers at #10 Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Even though UVA offered a lackluster performance against Old Dominion last weekend -particularly in the first half - it’s hard not to get excited for this one. A victory over the Irish would not only be Bronco Mendenhall’s best since taking over the head coaching job, it would (*holds breath*) vault UVA into the College Football Playoff discussion. Can Bryce Perkins cement himself in Virginia athletics lore by leading his team to a win over a storied Notre Dame program?

TV - Saturday, NBC, 3:30 PM

Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Boston College Eagles

Is Wake or Virginia the second best team in the conference? It’s been a common question among ACC football pundits this past week, given that the Demon Deacons and the Cavaliers remain the only schools not named Clemson who are undefeated. We’ll have a better idea of the answer, at least we think, after the two take their respective road trips to South Bend and Chestnut Hill.

TV - Saturday, ACCN, 3:30 PM

Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports