The No. 1 game on this list came to fruition last week, as Virginia lost to a North Carolina team determined to redeem itself from a loss to Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets, though, did not lose at home to Duke, and Clemson won a shootout with NC State. This is the final chance at an upset during the regular season.
ACC fans better hope No. 1 comes true ...
1. No. 4 Florida (10-1, 7-1 SEC) at No. 10 Florida State (10-1, 7-1 ACC): This is the first time since 2000 that both teams have been ranked in the top 10 of the BCS standings for their game, but FSU fans will argue that the Noles should be ranked higher. If Florida wins, the Gators will likely end up in the Allstate Sugar Bowl. FSU has to do its part to help Clemson have a chance at getting an at-large BCS bid, but the Seminoles also need to win this one for in-state bragging rights, recruiting, and also to reassert themselves near the top of the BCS standings.
2. No. 12 South Carolina (9-2, 6-2 SEC) at No. 11 Clemson (10-1, 7-1 ACC): There are plenty of plotlines in this one, including Dabo Swinney vs. Steve Spurrier, the Gamecocks’ defense against Clemson’s high-flying offense, how South Carolina will fare without Marcus Lattimore, and if Clemson’s defense can show improvement against the best opponent it will have faced since Sept. 22 at FSU. Clemson has lost three straight in this series, but will have home field advantage and a possible at-large BCS bid at stake.
3. Vanderbilt (7-4, 5-3 SEC) at Wake Forest (5-6, 3-5 ACC): Neither team is ranked, but Vandy is one of the hottest teams in the SEC right now, having won five straight. The Demon Deacons, meanwhile, have lost three of their last four. Wake is playing for bowl eligibility, though, so the Commodores can expect the Deacs’ best shot. Wake Forest will also have home field advantage, and needs the win to avoid a losing record for the third time in four years. The Deacs will be playing with a sense of urgency -- or at least they should be.
