North Carolina at Pittsburgh
Heinz Field, Pittsburgh | Thursday, 7:30 p.m. | ESPN
Preview: The Tar Heels look to end a seven-game losing streak against an opponent they’ve beaten all four times since the Panthers joined the ACC.
Players to watch: Pitt RB Darrin Hall has averaged 182.5 yards on the ground in his last two games. UNC WR Anthony Ratliff-Williams threw for a touchdown, caught two passes and had a 45-yard kickoff return two weeks ago against Miami.
Fast fact: The Tar Heels lost their first two games off a bye under coach Larry Fedora, but have won with the extra week in each of the past three seasons.
What to expect: Pitt is a 7-point favorite, but UNC should have QBs Chazz Surratt and Brandon Harris healthy again after last week’s bye.
— Brett Friedlander
App State vs. Georgia Southern
Kidd Brewer Stadium, Boone | Thursday, 7:30 p.m. | ESPNU
Preview: The Mountaineers try to get back on track after their Sun Belt Conference hopes took a hit against Louisiana-Monroe last week. Georgia Southern is 0-8.
Players to watch: App State WR Ike Lewis had three touchdown catches in Saturday’s loss, including a 20-yarder that tied the game with 53 seconds left. Safety R.J. Murray had nine tackles and one of the Eagles’ four sacks in last week’s 21-17 loss to Georgia State.
Fast fact: Georgia Southern fired coach Tyson Summers after six games. Assistant Chad Lunsford is the team’s interim coach.
What to expect: The Mountaineers couldn’t have asked for a better opponent to help break a two-game losing streak than the winless Eagles.
— Brett Friedlander
Duke at Army
Michie Stadium, West Point, N.Y. | Saturday, Noon | CBS Sports Network
Preview: It’s senior day, and Army will attempt to go undefeated at home for the first time since 1996. That’s also its last home win over Duke.
Players to watch: Army QB Ahmad Bradshaw has 1,182 yards rushing and 190 passing. Duke DB Mark Gilbert has four interceptions.
Fast fact: Army has not completed a pass in four different games this season, going 3-1. Last week Army became the first team not to attempt a pass since 2012.
What to expect: Duke has a good chance to snap its five-game losing streak, but bowl-bound Army is no pushover.
— Shawn Krest
Charlotte vs. Middle Tennessee
Richardson Stadium, Charlotte | Saturday, 2 p.m. | beIN Sports
Preview: MTSU is trying to win its second straight game for the first time this year. Charlotte is trying to win its second game overall.
Players to watch: MTSU QB Brent Stockstill has thrown for a touchdown in 19 straight games, fourth longest streak in the nation. Charlotte LB Anthony Butler had 14 tackles last week.
Fast fact: MTSU has two former ACC head coaches on its staff in defensive coordinator Scott Shafer (Syracuse) and defensive line coach Tommy West (Clemson).
What to expect: Charlotte needs a spark after getting shut out by ODU last week.
— Shawn Krest
Wake Forest at Syracuse
Carrier Dome, Syracuse, N.Y. | Saturday, 3 p.m. | RSN
Preview: Wake looks to get bowl eligible for the second straight year.
Players to watch: Cuse WR Steve Ishmael is second nationally in catches. Wake WR Alex Bachman had a career day with 116 yards last week.
Fast fact: An on-field ceremony will honor former walk-on Mike Chemotti, 103 years old, who enlisted in the Army in 1942, and current junior WR Ben Brickman, who walked-on after serving two tours of duty in Afghanistan.
What to expect: It has the makings of an offensive shootout, something rarely said about Wake-Syracuse games.
— Shawn Krest
ECU vs. Tulane
Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, Greenville | Saturday, 7 p.m. | CBS Sports Network
Preview: The Pirates take on a Tulane team that is 3-6 (1-4 AAC) and has lost four straight.
Players to watch: QB Gardner Minshew set ECU records with 52 completions and 68 passing attempts against Houston. WR Darnell Mooney had seven catches for a career-high 115 yards in the Green Wave’s 17-16 loss to Cincinnati last week.
Fast fact: ECU has allowed 52 or more points five times this season and rank last among FBS teams in both scoring and total defense.
What to expect: Despite last week’s regression, this is a winnable game for the Pirates (2-7, 1-4).
— Brett Friedlander
