A test for Jackets

Three to watch

No. 11 Georgia Tech at Virginia

Noon, WRAL, WFXI

The 11th-ranked Yellow Jackets knocked off defending champ Virginia Tech last week and travel to Charlottesville, Va., to face the new Coastal Division leader. The Cavaliers beat Georgia Tech, 24-17 last year in Atlanta.

Clemson at No. 8 Miami

3:30 p.m., WTVD, WCTI

The Tigers wiped out Wake Forest to get back into the muddled Atlantic Division race. If the Canes win out, they will be the Coastal champ.

Boston College at Notre Dame

3:30 p.m., WNCN, WITN

The Eagles have won six straight against the Fighting Irish, including a 17-0 decision in 2008. The Irish are coming off an emotional 34-27 loss to Southern California.

Observations

Beware letdown for Georgia Tech

Virginia's 3-4 defense is a bad matchup for Paul Johnson's option offense. The Cavaliers held Georgia Tech to 156 rushing yards in last year's upset in Atlanta.

This is also a classic "letdown" game for Georgia Tech, which is coming off a big win over Virginia Tech and has to travel to one of the toughest places in the ACC.

Still, if UVa running back Mikell Simpson is not healthy -- he was hospitalized after injuring his neck on Oct. 10 in an easy win over Indiana and didn't play last week against Maryland -- then it doesn't have enough gas on offense to win.

Eagles no road warriors

Boston College exploded for 480 total yards and 52 points against N.C. State, but it has yet to show up for a road game this season.

The Eagles totaled only 54 yards in a 25-7 loss at Clemson and 163 yards in a 48-14 loss at Virginia Tech.

Notre Dame's defense is not great (104th nationally in total defense), despite playing a soft schedule, but the South Bend setting will be a factor for BC's inexperienced quarterbacks.

Blue Devils gaining favor

Duke will begin to convince skeptics it's no longer a doormat when the Blue Devils start winning games they are supposed to. Coming off a bye and a magnificent offensive performance at N.C. State, the Devils should beat Maryland (2-5), which ranks 106th nationally in scoring defense.

By the Numbers

1-6 The Atlantic Division's record against the Coastal Division this season.

4.71 Penalties per game for Boston College, which ranks 11th nationally for fewest per game.

207.7 All-purpose yards per game for Maryland receiver Torrey Smith, who leads the country.

What's at stake

Virginia, the last unbeaten team in ACC play, gets its first test against a ranked Coastal opponent, and Boston College takes a shot at conference pride against Notre Dame.

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