Several games this weekend will have an effect on the perception of ACC football. Win some will enhance the ACC image while losing some will only reinforce the negative image some fans may have of football in our conference.
Games the ACC can't afford to lose:
Illinois 2-0 at North Carolina Tar Heels favored by 9 1/2
The Illini are in turmoil after firing their coach and are considered a bottom team in the Big Ten. Lose and people will say a good ACC team can't beat a lowly Big Ten team even with the game at NC.
Virginia Tech at Purdue 1-1 Hokies favored by 6
The Hokies have a positive image nationwide while the Boilermakers get little respect. If Va Tech loses, fans will say that a respected ACC team can't even beat a downtrodden Big Ten team.
Central Michigan 1-1 at Syracuse Orange favored by 7
It's that old image of the MAC should never beat a power 5 school, especially with the game being played at Syracuse. If the Orange lose, I can already hear the laughter directed at ACC football.
The Tar heels, Hokies, and Orage all have to take care of things this weekend.
Games that would be great to win
Northwestern 2-0 at Duke Blue Devils favored by 3 1/2
The stock of the Wildcats went up after they beat Stanford so they are not perceived as a pushover. A Duke victory would be good for ACC image.
Georgia Tech at Notre Dame 2-0 Yellowjackets favored by 2 1/2
A G Tech victory against the Irish would be huge, especially with the game in South Bend. The Jackets might even get respect as a team that could win the national championship.
Nebraska 1-1 at Miami Hurricanes favored by 3 1/2
The Huskers are still a highly respected team nationwide and certainly respected as a top tier team in the Big Ten. The Canes have dropped in prestige the last few years and that hurts the perception of the ACC. A win by Miami would be great both for their team and the conference.
Pitt at Iowa 2-0 Hawkeyes favored by 5 1/2
Iowa is a solid Big Ten team while people keep waiting for Pitt to return to some semblance of a top program. A Panther win and it may be just what the Panthers need as a catalyst for a good season and the ACC would like nothing better than for Pitt to be relevant again in football.
It would be too much to expect Duke, Georgia Tech, Miami, and Pitt to sweep their games, but even winning three of them would enhance the perception of ACC football.
Games the ACC can't afford to lose:
Illinois 2-0 at North Carolina Tar Heels favored by 9 1/2
The Illini are in turmoil after firing their coach and are considered a bottom team in the Big Ten. Lose and people will say a good ACC team can't beat a lowly Big Ten team even with the game at NC.
Virginia Tech at Purdue 1-1 Hokies favored by 6
The Hokies have a positive image nationwide while the Boilermakers get little respect. If Va Tech loses, fans will say that a respected ACC team can't even beat a downtrodden Big Ten team.
Central Michigan 1-1 at Syracuse Orange favored by 7
It's that old image of the MAC should never beat a power 5 school, especially with the game being played at Syracuse. If the Orange lose, I can already hear the laughter directed at ACC football.
The Tar heels, Hokies, and Orage all have to take care of things this weekend.
Games that would be great to win
Northwestern 2-0 at Duke Blue Devils favored by 3 1/2
The stock of the Wildcats went up after they beat Stanford so they are not perceived as a pushover. A Duke victory would be good for ACC image.
Georgia Tech at Notre Dame 2-0 Yellowjackets favored by 2 1/2
A G Tech victory against the Irish would be huge, especially with the game in South Bend. The Jackets might even get respect as a team that could win the national championship.
Nebraska 1-1 at Miami Hurricanes favored by 3 1/2
The Huskers are still a highly respected team nationwide and certainly respected as a top tier team in the Big Ten. The Canes have dropped in prestige the last few years and that hurts the perception of the ACC. A win by Miami would be great both for their team and the conference.
Pitt at Iowa 2-0 Hawkeyes favored by 5 1/2
Iowa is a solid Big Ten team while people keep waiting for Pitt to return to some semblance of a top program. A Panther win and it may be just what the Panthers need as a catalyst for a good season and the ACC would like nothing better than for Pitt to be relevant again in football.
It would be too much to expect Duke, Georgia Tech, Miami, and Pitt to sweep their games, but even winning three of them would enhance the perception of ACC football.
