Offenses Run Wild in Week 4 ACC Action

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The story of Week 4 in the Atlantic Coast Conference was the offensive fireworks. With multiple combined point totals over 100 and stat lines that are nearly impossible to believe, this week showed which teams have the firepower to hang when defense goes missing.

Duke, Pitt Remain Undefeated

For the Duke Blue Devils (4-0) and Pitt Panthers (4-0), winning this season has not always looked pretty. Duke needed double overtime to edge past a weak Northwestern Wildcats (2-2) team and could only manage a five-point victory over the UConn Huskies (2-2). Pitt, meanwhile, needed two mind-numbing fourth-quarter comebacks to defeat uninspiring Cincinnati (3-1) and West Virginia (2-2) squads. By any metric, Duke and Pitt have not looked the part of 4-0 teams.

But, as Week 4 concludes, the Blue Devils and Panthers remain among the ranks of the undefeated. Duke played its most complete game yet this week in a 45-17 win over Middle Tennessee State (1-3), relying on its experienced talent in a clinical offensive performance. Pitt, which has tended to be rather streaky on offense with freshman transfer quarterback Eli Holstein, found a rhythm and never let up in a 73-17 win over Youngstown State (1-3).

It has been easy for experts and fans alike to point out the flaws in the Blue Devils and Panthers teams through four games this season. There is something to be said for just finding a way to win, though, no matter how it looks. As long as Duke and Pitt keep finding ways to win, they will be in the thick of the race for the ACC title.

Clemson, SMU Flex in Dominant Wins

Coming off a disappointing 18-15 loss to BYU (4-0), the SMU Mustangs (3-1) knew something needed to change to reignite an offense that was filled with potential but not producing results. Over the bye week, head coach Rhett Lashlee sought to breathe life into the Mustangs offense by addressing the questions at quarterback. Kevin Jennings was named the official starting quarterback over incumbent quarterback Preston Stone, giving the talented sophomore the vote of confidence he desperately needed after a shaky performance against BYU.

After one week, the change seems to be working. SMU was electric on offense throughout in a 66-42 shoot-out win over the TCU Horned Frogs (2-2). Jennings was admittedly not asked to do much, but looked confident and poised running the offense. Through his efficient 2-touchdown performance, he helped SMU win the turnover battle 5-1 over TCU, which made the difference in a game full of miscues.

The Clemson Tigers (2-1, 1-0 ACC) put their Week 1 offensive woes behind them in their dominating 66-20 win over Appalachian State in Week 2. Coming off a bye, however, many people were wondering if they would be able to continue their offensive momentum against a Power Four opponent. It took just one quarter for the Tigers offense to put all questions to rest. Clemson scored 28 points in the first quarter alone on the way to an eventual 45-7 halftime lead over the North Carolina State Wolfpack (2-2, 0-1 ACC). Quarterback Cade Klubnik showed off his dual-threat ability, throwing for 3 touchdowns and adding 70 yards rushing and a touchdown on just 4 carries.

After early losses, SMU and Clemson were searching for answers and in danger of wasting rosters full of potential. Thanks to rejuvenated play on offense, both teams have a chance to contend for an ACC title and a potential spot in the College Football Playoff.

Stanford, Louisville Grab ACC Wins

On a Friday night under the lights of the Carrier Dome, all eyes were on the Syracuse Orange (2-1, 1-1 ACC). Transfer quarterback Kyle McCord had been electric in his two starts, and Syracuse fans believed they were primed to contend in the ACC. The Stanford Cardinal (2-1, 1-0 ACC) were nothing but an afterthought entering the night, but they earned the respect of the entire country thanks to their 26-23 walk-off win over the Orange.

The Cardinal, unlike most teams in the ACC this week, did not do anything special on offense. They scored just one offensive touchdown the entire night, and relied on a bend-but-don't-break defense to ultimately get the job done. It was not pretty for much of the night, but Stanford found a way to throw an early wrench into the race for an ACC Championship berth. Can Syracuse regain its footing and find its way back after an unexpected loss? Can Stanford continue to surprise against ACC opponents? This game left fans with more questions than answers about the trajectory of these teams.

The No. 19 Louisville Cardinals (3-0, 1-0 ACC) have also surprised people at the start of the 2024 season. Louisville looked the part of a true contender in two dominating wins to start the season despite losing so many key pieces from 2023. Their Week 4 game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (3-2, 1-2 ACC) was the Cardinals' first true test of the season and gave fans a chance to see how legitimate this Louisville team really was.

Louisville was outgained by Georgia Tech 410-326 and committed several sloppy penalties throughout the game. But when the Cardinals needed big plays, they got them. Tied at 17 late in the third quarter, quarterback Tyler Shough found senior wide receiver Ja'Corey Brooks down the field for a 57-yard touchdown pass to turn the momentum in favor of the Cardinals. The defense contributed with a stop on fourth-and-goal on the next drive, and the special teams got involved just a few drives later with a touchdown of their own off a blocked field goal. Despite the sloppy showing, Louisville proved that they have what it takes to overcome adversity and win against the odds.

Week 5 will bring more chances for teams to separate themselves as contenders and pretenders. No. 8 Miami (4-0) opens conference play against the Virginia Tech Hokies (2-2) with a chance to assert their dominance with a convincing win. Stanford travels to face No. 21 Clemson hoping to continue their positive momentum in their first year as members of the ACC. Louisville hopes to continue to prove themselves on the road in a marquee matchup against the No. 17 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (3-1). If the offenses continue to produce like they did in Week 4, it should be fun to watch.