3 games to watch in the ACC: Clemson looks to add to Georgia Tech's struggles

After five weeks of college football, fans and analysts around the country now have a feel on the season. There’s a decent idea of who will be contending in December, who’s season is already over, and who the breakout stars are. Now that we’re all settled in, it’s time for conference play to really heat up.

Georgia Tech at No. 6 Clemson
Saturday, Oct. 10, 3:30 p.m. ET (ABC regional or ESPN2)

Georgia Tech and Clemson were supposed to have similar years. Both were favored to win their respective divisions in the ACC, and the quarterbacks (who were voted first and second team preseason All-ACC) were set for breakout years. It has not played out that way, at least not for the Yellow Jackets. Georgia Tech started off well with more than 60 points in each of its first two games, but has since dropped three in a row and is the only team in the Coastal Division with an 0-2 conference record. Justin Thomas has not lived up to expectations; only completing 45 percent of his passes.

Clemson, on the other hand, is right on schedule. The Tigers are 4-0 and coming off a big win over Notre Dame. ACC Preseason Player of the Year Deshaun Watson is connecting on 69 percent of his passes.

Georgia Tech has been dependent on the running game. When teams have been able to slow down the Yellow Jackets' run game, the offense has been in total disarray. Don't expect the passing game to be a crutch to fall on, either. Thomas has completed only 31.1 percent of his passes on the road and 33.3 percent against ranked teams.

Clemson has been successful against the run as of late, holding Notre Dame to 116 yards on the ground. The College Football Playoff may be out of the question for Georgia Tech, but the ACC title is still within reach. Another conference loss, though, will make things a lot harder.

Miami at No. 12 Florida State
Saturday, Oct. 10, 8 p.m. ET (ABC)

Miami and Florida State have two of the most successful college football programs of all time. Both are in the top 10 in all-time weeks at No. 1 and first round NFL draft picks, and the two teams have been playing in games with national implications throughout history. In recent years, however, the rivalry hasn't been heated. The Seminoles have won the last five meetings, the longest streak since Miami won six straight from 2000-2004.

Miami’s season to this point has been a roller coaster. The Hurricanes started 3-0, but the wins were against Bethune-Cookman, Florida Atlantic, and Nebraska. Last week, Miami suffered its first loss against Cincinnati, and didn’t look great in doing so. Cincinnati’s Hayden Moore passed for 279 yards and a pair of touchdowns, and Tion Green and Hosey Williams each averaged over six yards per carry.

Florida State isn’t coming off the best of weeks, either. The Seminoles only beat Wake Forest by a single possession and could have been upset if Tyler Hunter hadn't intercepted a Kendall Hinton pass in the end zone with 21 seconds left.

The Hurricanes still haven't showed if they can contend with the big boys in the ACC. This week's game will give a better idea of what to expect going forward.

NC State at Virginia Tech
Friday, Oct. 9, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Both the Wolfpack and the Hokies go into this game looking for their first conference win of the season. NC State is coming off a loss to Louisville, a game in which the Wolfpack only gained 45 yards on the ground. Virginia Tech was even worse with 100 yards of total offense in its loss to Pitt.

NC State needs a win here to make sure last week’s game was just a slip up and not the start of a losing streak. The Wolfpack have started the season 4-1 for the second straight year, which is the first time that’s happened since the 1991 and 1992 seasons. Dave Doeren is trying to make this team relevant in college football again and winning games like this one will be a key to that climb.

Virginia Tech, on the other hand, needs a win to start salvaging something from the season. A dark-horse pick to win the Coastal Division in the preseason, the Hokies fell apart in September. Losses to East Carolina and Pitt have sent Virginia Tech to the bottom of most ACC power rankings, and Brenden Motley has not been able to fill the shoes of Michael Brewer, though Brewer is probable for Friday.