Notre Dame's trip to Virginia Tech, QB battle tops ACC slate

Updated Oct. 7, 2021 2:55 a.m. ET

Associated Press

Here are things to watch in the Atlantic Coast Conference in Week 6:

GAME OF THE WEEK

No. 14 Notre Dame at Virginia Tech. The Fighting Irish (4-1) are back to football independence after a one-year stint as full ACC members amid the COVID-19 pandemic. They’re coming off

BEST MATCHUP

Virginia QB Brennan Armstrong vs. Louisville QB Malik Cunningham. These two won’t take the field together in the afternoon game, but they’re capable of putting up big totals to grab all the attention. Armstrong leads the ACC passing (394.6 yards per game), including a program-record 554 yards in a loss at UNC. Cunningham is a two-way threat whose 10 rushing touchdowns lead the ACC and are tied for second in the Bowl Subdivision ranks..

LONG SHOT

Does Florida State have a realistic shot to win at North Carolina? The Seminoles (1-4, 1-2) finally earned a win last week

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

No. 19 Wake Forest (5-0, 3-0) is sitting atop the ACC standings entering Saturday’s trip to Syracuse with several notable early accomplishments. Dave Clawson's Demon Deacons are the highest-ranked ACC team in the AP Top 25 for the first time since September 2008. They’re 3-0 in the league for the first time since 2011

IMPACT PLAYER

Georgia Tech’s Jeff Sims hasn’t had an easy time as a second-year freshman but has the potential for a big outing Saturday at Duke. He missed time with an injury suffered in the season opener but returned to run for three touchdowns and pass for another

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