There are four more weekdays until NC State kicks off against Tennessee in Atlanta on Friday. 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. 4 Labor Day. Georgia Tech at Virginia Tech is one of the must-see games on the ACC schedule, and it will feature the two frontrunners in the Coastal Division in a matchup that has historically determined the division winner. The fact that it’s a night game in Blacksburg adds to the excitement of it, as Lane Stadium is arguably the best gameday atmosphere in the ACC. This is the game that has been talked about and previewed all summer. The Hokies have had ample time to prepare for Paul Johnson’s spread option offense, but Johnson will tell you it’s not much of an advantage if his team has had the same amount of time to prepare for Virginia Tech. There’s been an added sense of urgency for both programs this summer, knowing a lead in the division standings will be at stake in Week 1.
No. 5: The winningest active coach in college football
No. 6: The ACC championship game
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
