There are six more weekdays until NC State kicks off against Tennessee in Atlanta on Friday, Aug. 31. We’re counting down with 25 reasons to be excited about ACC football this year. This list features coaches, players, games, themes, position groups -- 25 things for you to look forward to.
The countdown to kickoff continues with …
No. 6: The ACC championship game. This game has improved leaps and bounds since moving to Charlotte, and while it is still a matchup-sensitive game, all signs point toward another entertaining matchup in the third season. Last season’s game had a record crowd of 73, 675 fans, and this year’s will again be a prime-time showcase at either 7:45 p.m. on ESPN or 8 p.m. on ABC on Dec. 1. Florida State is looking to win its first ACC title since 2005, Clemson is looking to defend last season’s title, and Virginia Tech? Well, the Hokies have become regulars. If the preseason predictions come true, the Noles and Hokies will be meeting twice this season. See you in Charlotte.
No. 7: Florida State's defensive line
No. 8: Thursday night games
No. 9: Atlanta
No. 10 NC State's secondary
No. 11: SEC rivalry games
No. 12: Virginia Tech's 10-game winning streak
No. 13: Florida State vs. Clemson
No. 14: North Carolina vs. NC State
No. 15: Unofficial state championships
No. 16: Talented true freshmen
No. 17: Unpredictability
No. 18: ACC vs. Notre Dame
No. 19: Clemson's offensive playmakers
No. 20: The ACC's record chasers
No. 21: Larry Fedora
No. 22: One of the nation's top rushing offenses
No. 23: The last season before expansion
No. 24: Brent Venables
No. 25: A fresh start at Maryland
