3 games to watch in the ACC: North Carolina goes for the Coastal crown

The college football season has hit the home stretch, which means it's pedal to the metal for the ACC's best teams. Some of the premier squads in the conference will play Saturday with ACC championship and College Football Playoff implications, and by the end of the week, we might even know who Clemson will play in the ACC title game. Get your popcorn ready - it's going to be a good one.

No. 17 North Carolina at Virginia Tech
Saturday, Nov. 21, 12:00 p.m. ET (ESPN)

North Carolina's path to the ACC championship game is pretty simple: If the Tar Heels beat Virginia Tech, they're in. North Carolina also clinches the Coastal Division if Pitt loses to Louisville, but more on that game below.

Almost everything on paper says the Tar Heels should win on Saturday. North Carolina is on a nine-game winning streak, and Virginia Tech has had an underwhelming year after coming in as one of the dark horses to win the division. There's more to football than what's on paper, though, and Virginia Tech has a lot to play for.

For starters, the Hokies are a win away from bowl eligibility. Virginia Tech enters with a two-game winning streak (against two of the worst teams in the ACC, but still) and could be picking up some momentum. Most importantly, however, this is the final home game for coach Frank Beamer. Beamer is ending his coaching career after spending the last 29 seasons leading the Hokies, taking the team to a bowl game in the last 22. To say the Hokies want to get this win for Beamer is an understatement. Can all of these factors combine to get Virginia Tech a win over a better team? We'll have to wait and see.

Louisville at Pittsburgh
Saturday, Nov. 21, 3:45 p.m. ET (ESPNN)

Pittsburgh still has a shot at taking the Coastal Division, but it's the longest shot a team could have. The Panthers need to win out and need North Carolina to lose both remaining games to earn a shot at Clemson in the ACC championship game, so things aren't looking too great on that end.

The Panthers can't look too far ahead, though, and need to start by picking up a win in this weekend's game against Louisville. The Cardinals have had trouble running the ball this year, ranking 82nd in the country in rushing yards per game. On the other hand, Pittsburgh struggles against the passing game -the Panthers are 99th in the nation in passing yards per game.

Other than that, the two sides are statistically very much alike, each averaging exactly 27 points per game and putting up similar numbers defensively as well. Don't expect a blowout, as these evenly matched squads have plenty to play for.

Wake Forest at No. 1 Clemson
Saturday, Nov. 21, 3:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2)

Wake Forest and Clemson are opposites in the ACC. The Demon Deacons have three wins on the year, only one conference win (a 3-0 victory over Boston College, which hasn't won an ACC game yet), and have assured they won't be headed to a bowl game this year. The Tigers are three games away from the College Football Playoff, have yet to lose in the conference or otherwise, and have their sights on much more than just a bowl game.

Clemson probably doesn't make it to the playoff with a loss, and certainly doesn't with a loss to Wake Forest, so every game the Tigers play from now on is one to watch.

Could Wake Forest pull off the upset? The record says no - and, to be blunt, so does the talent - but the Demon Deacons have gotten close before. Wake Forest lost to Florida State by only eight, and was driving before a red-zone interception put the game away for good. Just two weeks ago, Louisville was only able to come away with a one-point win over Wake Forest.

Louisville isn't Clemson, and both of those games were at home, while the Deacs will be in Death Valley this week - but there's still a chance, and the stakes are high.