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It didn’t take the ACC long to flame out of the College Football Playoff.
But even though Clemson and SMU had their seasons end Saturday, there’s still plenty of ACC football left to be played.
None of the 10 remaining bowl games will have any bearing on the national championship, but they still mean something to the teams involved.
The quality of the games will depend largely on opt-outs, whose coach is still with the program and the degree of what former North Carolina basketball coach Roy Williams used to call “want-to” among the participants.
A case in point is Cal, which had to use the untested duo of CJ Harris and EJ Caminong – with 11 pass attempts between them all season – at quarterback instead of transferring starter Fernando Mendoza and injured backup Chandler Rogers in its 24-13 LA Bowl loss to UNLV on Dec. 18.
With variables such as that in mind, here’s a look ahead at what to expect in the ACC’s remaining games, along with a prediction for each:
(Betting lines via BetESPN Sportsbook.)
GameAbove Sports Bowl: Pitt (-6.5) vs. Toledo
When: 2 pm, Thursday, Dec. 26, ESPN
Bowl games are all about motivation. And the Panthers have plenty. After starting the year 7-0 to guarantee themselves a winning record, the last thing they want to do is head into the offseason on a 6-game losing streak. The good news, at least at face value, is that coach Pat Narduzzi has said it’s possible quarterback Eli Holstein will be available after suffering a leg injury in the regular-season finale against Boston College. Even though Pitt’s leading rusher Desmond Reid isn’t likely to be healthy enough to play, the Panthers should have a distinct advantage against a G5 team coming off back-to-back losses to Ohio and Akron.
Prediction: Pitt 37, Toledo 20
Birmingham Bowl: Georgia Tech (-3) vs. Vanderbilt
When: 3:30 pm, Friday, Dec. 27, ESPN
A matchup between the Yellow Jackets and Commodores isn’t normally the type you’d be excited about watching. So ignore for a moment the teams that are playing and concentrate on the duel between 2 of the nation’s most dynamic quarterbacks, Tech’s Haynes King and Vandy’s Diego Pavia. Even with an injured throwing arm, King engineered an upset of Miami and pushed Georgia to the brink in an epic 8-overtime struggle. And he’s had a couple more weeks to heal. Pavia is a human highlight reel whose running and passing almost singlehandedly took down Alabama in a victory that went a long way to keeping the Crimson Tide out of the Playoff. Both are playing. It should be fun to watch.
Prediction: Tech 34, Vandy 31
Holiday Bowl: No. 21 Syracuse (-16.5) vs. Washington State
When: 8 pm, Friday, Dec. 27, Fox
The Holiday Bowl has something of a dubious history involving ACC teams. In 2021, NC State had its scheduled matchup against UCLA canceled, denying the Wolfpack a shot at a 10th victory, only hours before kickoff because of a COVID outbreak among the Bruins. This year’s game could also be in danger of not being played after 22 Washington State players have opted out following the departure of coach Jake Dickert and most of his staff to Wake Forest last week. School officials have said that the Cougars still plan to make the trip to San Diego and play. But you never know until game time actually arrives. By contrast, a majority of the Orange’s roster, including star quarterback Kyle McCord, have acknowledged their intention to play in hopes of earning their 10th win. This could be a mismatch of epic proportions.
Prediction: Syracuse 45, Wazzu 17
Fenway Bowl: North Carolina (-3) vs. UConn
When: 11 am, Saturday, Dec. 28, ESPN
What could be better than waking up early on the Saturday before New Year’s to watch a postseason college football game played in a storied baseball stadium involving 2 teams better known for basketball? The only downer is that Bill Belichick won’t be coaching the Tar Heels, just a few miles from where he created an NFL dynasty. OK, maybe not the only downer. The game might be better if Omarion Hampton, the ACC’s leading rusher, hadn’t opted out. But there’s a new energy surrounding the UNC program and that should carry over to the Tar Heels that are playing in this game.
Prediction: UNC 87, UConn 84 (Oops sorry, make that 27-24. I forgot for a moment that we’re talking about football).
Pinstripe Bowl: Boston College (+2.5) vs. Nebraska
When: Noon, Saturday, Dec, 28, ABC
BC will be trying to reach the 8-win mark for the first time since 2009 while its opponent is playing in its first bowl game since 2016. Both teams will be without key players because of opt-outs. That will likely hurt the Eagles more than the Cornhuskers since the 16.5 sacks recorded by ACC Defensive Player of the Year Donovan Ezeiruaku will be much harder to replace than the 614 yards and 12 touchdowns provided by Nebraska’s leading rusher Dante Dowdell – who has already transferred to Kentucky. Another thing that doesn’t bode well for Bill O’Brien’s team is that teams from Boston haven’t traditionally had a lot of luck playing in Yankee Stadium.
Prediction: Nebraska 19, BC 17
Pop-Tarts Bowl: No. 13 Miami (-3) vs. No. 18 Iowa State
When: 3:30 pm, Saturday, Dec. 28, ABC
Normally, teams that barely miss out on the Playoff don’t have much interest in playing a consolation bowl game. But this matchup between one of the last teams out and another that fell just 1 win short of winning its way into the bracket seems to be the exception. Heisman Trophy finalist Cam Ward is eager to make amends for the loss to Syracuse that kept the Hurricanes out of the Playoff and has decided to play. With a program-record 36 TD passes, Ward could become the first Cane to reach 40. And the Cyclones will have most of their key players available, as well. Even if the game itself doesn’t live up to expectations, it will be worth sticking around to the end to see the winning team chowing down on a giant animated toaster pastry.
Prediction: Miami 41, Iowa State 37
Military Bowl: NC State (-6) vs. East Carolina
When: 5:45 pm, Saturday, Dec. 28, ESPN
They’ve met more recently in the regular season, but the last time these in-state rivals met in a bowl game was in 1992 at the Peach Bowl in Atlanta. The Pirates rallied late for a landmark victory their fans still talk about with reverence. Getting another shot at State is an opportunity they relish. And you can bet they’ll be motivated. Conversely, playing ECU now – with another matchup in Week 1 next season – is a matchup Dave Doeren and his Wolfpack would love to have avoided. To say that the Pirates are a different team now than they were at the start of the season isn’t an exaggeration. The Pirates are 4-1 since Blake Harrell replaced Mike Houston as coach and Katin Houser replaced Jake Garcia at quarterback at midseason. State would be wise to bring its “A” game.
Prediction: NC State 27, ECU 20
Sun Bowl: Louisville (-2.5) vs. Washington
When: 2 pm, Tuesday, Dec. 31, CBS
Forget being a different team from the beginning of the season. The lineup Jeff Brohm sends out onto the field in El Paso will look drastically different from the one his team fielded at the end of the regular season. The Cardinals will be without starting quarterback Tyler Shough and leading receiver Ja’Corey Brooks, along with top pass rusher Ashton Gillotte and star cornerback Quincy Riley, all of whom have opted out to begin preparing for the NFL Draft. Louisville might be a slight favorite, but their absence will put the Cardinals at a distinct disadvantage against a Washington team whose lineup will be virtually intact.
Prediction: Washington 24, Louisville 13
Gator Bowl: Duke (+14.5) vs. No. 14 Ole Miss
When: 7:30 pm, Thursday, Jan. 2, ESPN
Lane Kiffin has been awfully quiet about the SEC and its dominance over the rest of college football since Tennessee’s opening-round Playoff beatdown at Ohio State on Saturday. So you can bet he’ll want to make a loud statement when the national spotlight turns to him and Ole Miss the day after New Year’s. Especially since the opponent is from the ACC, the conference he has deemed to be inferior. The Blue Devils are no pushover, especially since most of their top defensive players will be active. But they’d stand a better chance of pulling off the upset and shutting Kiffin’s yapper had quarterback Maalik Murphy not already packed his bags and left for Oregon State.
Prediction: Ole Miss 37, Duke 13
Duke’s Mayo Bowl: Virginia Tech vs. Minnesota
When: 7:30 pm, Friday, Jan. 3, ESPN
A year ago at this time, the Hokies were among the hottest teams in the ACC. Most of their top players didn’t just decide to play in their Military Bowl game against Tulane, which they won to finish with a winning record, but they decided to run it back to try and accomplish even more in 2024. Fast forward to this December. Tech has the same 6-6 record, but the vibe heading into its final game is completely different. Brent Pry’s team is one of the ACC’s biggest disappointments. Many of its top players – including sacks leader Antwaun Powell-Ryland, fellow defensive lineman Aeneas Peebles and top receiver Da’Quan Felton – have decided not to play after declaring for the NFL Draft. You have to wonder if the rest of the team might be ready to mail it in, too.
Prediction: Minnesota 27, Virginia Tech 20
Award-winning columnist Brett Friedlander has covered the ACC and college basketball since the 1980s.
