The early haves and have-nots are showing up in ACC football.

No telling what’s going to happen with the already-checkered season in terms of postponements, cancellations and infections. For example, after three weeks, we still have three conference teams that have played only one game, Carolina, Virginia and Virginia Tech.

Of those that have played at least twice, Pitt looks the best at 3-0, then comes Clemson and Notre Dame at 2-0. The winner of UNC-Boston College this Saturday has a chance to get into that conversation. And so does Virginia, which beat Duke in its only game so far and goes to Clemson Saturday; and Virginia Tech, which pounded N.C. State and visits the Blue Devils this weekend.

All the have-nots aren’t so clear due to that interruptions. Louisville is 0-2 in league games but we all know the Cardinals are better than that. And Wake Forest is probably better than its 0-2 start.

So far, Duke and Florida State look like bottom feeders because of quarterback problems that are not going away any time soon. The 0-3 Blue Devils are starting Clemson transfer Chase Brice, who looked okay in the opening game loss at Notre Dame but has since presided over an offense that has committed 10 turnovers. Ouch.

FSU opened the season losing at home to Georgia Tech, which was picked to finish 15th and last in the preseason poll. And since then, Seminoles coach Mike Norvell has tested positive for the virus.

The mystery team so far has to be N.C. State, which had its first game at Virginia Tech postponed and then upset Wake in its home opener behind junior QB Bailey Hockman. Then came the rescheduled trip to play the Hokies, who almost canceled another game when 23 players and coaches were sent to quarantine. So what happened?

Thin on both sides of the ball, VaTech led State at the half, 31-10, and Hockman was benched. The Wolfpack now has to play at Pitt this Saturday. For the Pack and Duke, with the Hokies coming to Durham, their seasons might come down to October 17 in Raleigh to decide which is the biggest have-not of all.

 

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