It's baaaaack.
That's right, folks, our famous Upset Watch post is back and better than ever. OK, you got me. It's back.
And, really, there is no better time to start the Upset Watch back up than Week 3. Can you say "classic trap week," everyone? The ACC set a league record with an 11-0 performance in Week 2, drawing praise across the board. That praise was absolutely merited, but we cannot pretend as if every game was neatly tied up in a bow by halftime.
Not everybody looks the part. And, well, it has traditionally been the ACC way to lose games to inferior opponents. So to prove things truly have changed, the ACC needs its teams to get past some sneaky dangerous games on the slate this weekend. More than half, in fact. So we are putting Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech, Syracuse, Louisville, Miami and NC State on upset watch. Wake Forest is a 14-point underdog at Utah State, so the Deacs get left off.
Why those six? Glad you asked.
East Carolina at No. 17 Virginia Tech, noon, ESPN. Line: VT by 11. The Hokies are coming off an emotional win at Ohio State and have a big conference opener next week against Georgia Tech, so this perfectly fits the definition of a trap game. East Carolina gave the Hokies a serious run last year, losing 15-10 at home. The Pirates also kept it close with South Carolina last week, coming within a touchdown in the fourth quarter before giving up a long drive to seal the game. They simply cannot be overlooked, not with quarterback Shane Carden leading the way.
Georgia Southern at Georgia Tech, noon, ESPN3. Line: Georgia Tech by 21. We all know what the Eagles are capable of after watching them upset Florida last year and nearly upset NC State in the season opener. The Wolfpack pulled out the win with 1:37 left. Safe to say they were outplayed the majority of the game. Georgia Tech, meanwhile, has had to overcome two slow starts in both their games. Its defensive front has been particularly inconsistent, and its offense cannot avoid fumbling the ball. Oh, and Virginia Tech looms next week. The Eagles cannot be overlooked, either.
Syracuse at Central Michigan, noon, ESPNews. Line: Syracuse by 7. The last time we saw the Orange on the field, they needed two overtimes to beat FCS Villanova. The last time we saw the Chippewas on the field, they were housing Purdue, 38-17. We know Purdue is no great shakes, but a win over a Power-5 team is still a win over a Power-5 team. And going on the road to play a geeked up MAC opponent is not the perfect scenario. Quite honestly, this is a must-win for the Orange considering the stretch that follows: Maryland, Notre Dame, Louisville and Florida State in consecutive weeks.
No. 21 Louisville at Virginia, 12:30 p.m., ESPN3. Line: Louisville by 7. The Cardinals hit the road for the first time this season to face a much-improved Virginia team boasting an opportunistic defense that is tied for first in the ACC with nine takeaways and second in the league with nine sacks. While Virginia remains unsettled on offense, the improvement alone on defense should make this one more challenging than it appeared before the season began.
Arkansas State at Miami, 3:30 p.m., ESPNU. Line: Miami by 17. Do not sleep on the Red Wolves. This is a team that has made three straight bowl games and won its conference championship twice in the past three years. They also played Tennessee close in Knoxville last week before eventually losing, 34-19. Miami's defense has been better, but its offense remains a work in progress. Even after a 41-7 win over Florida A&M, Miami ranks No. 12 in the ACC in total offense, No. 13 in rushing offense and No. 11 in scoring offense.
NC State at USF, 3:30 p.m., CBS Sports Network. Line: NC State by 3. The Wolfpack may very well be the shakiest 2-0 team in the country after needing come-from-behind wins against Georgia Southern and Old Dominion. USF nearly upset Maryland last week, holding a halftime lead before losing, in part, to a blocked punt. But the Wolfpack have to be on guard for running back Marlon Mack. NC State ranks No. 104 in the nation in rush D.