The ACC announced its 2013 football schedule Friday morning – well, the opponents at least. The dates of the eventual games remain to be determined.
Stefon Diggs and the Terps return to action Aug. 31 with a home game against FIU.
The Terps’ 2013 football schedule is as follows: Florida International (Aug. 31), Old Dominion (Sept. 7), at Connecticut (Sept. 14) vs. West Virginia (Sept. 21) at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, and then ACC opponents Boston College, Clemson, Syracuse and Virginia at home and Florida State, NC State, Wake Forest and Virginia Tech on the road.
Here’s a way too early look at the Terps’ ACC slate.
HOME GAMES
Boston College: Boston College slumped to a 2-10 record in 2012. The Eagles should go through at least a minor turnaround 2013. Boston College brought in new head coach Steve Addazio, the former offensive coordinator at Florida who had a decent last two seasons as the head coach at Temple, and retain quarterback Chase Rettig, wide receiver Alex Amidon and running backs Andre Williams and Rolandan Finch.
Clemson: The Tigers made arguably the biggest offseason headline in the ACC when quarterback Tajh Boyd announced he was coming back for his senior season. Coming off a strong showing in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl – the Tigers topped LSU, 25-24 – look for Clemson to be ranked in the preseason top-10 and once again contend for a BCS bid.
Syracuse: Ah, the new ACC has arrived. Maryland’s final season in the league will mark Syracuse’s – as well as Pitt’s – first. The Orange promoted defensive coordinator Scott Shafer to head coach two days ago to replace Doug Marrone, who left to coach the NFL’s Buffalo Bills. This game will be a bit of a homecoming for coach Randy Edsall, who played quarterback at Syracuse from 1976-79.
Virginia: Arguably Maryland’s biggest football rival in the ACC, the Terps would love to end their stay in the league with a win over the Cavaliers. Running back Perry Jones is gone, but wide receiver Darius Jennings and quarterback Philip Sims could become a good tandem in the passing game.
AWAY GAMES
Florida State: Florida State will lose plenty of talent on the defensive side of the ball to the NFL, and quarterback EJ Manuel, but no matter. The Seminoles, who seemingly bring in a great recruiting class every year, will simply reload. Ronald Darby had a breakout freshman season at cornerback and the despite losing Bjoern Werner and Cornellius Carradine, the defensive line will come back strong. Coming off a 31-10 win over Northern Illinois in the Orange Bowl, the Seminoles will once again contend for a BCS berth, but this may be Clemson’s year.
NC State: Despite becoming bowl eligible last season, look for the Wolfpack to take a step back in 2013. Dave Doeren will likely prove to be a very solid hire, but the transition may be rocky in year No. 1.
Wake Forest: The Demon Deacons finished 2012 with a 5-7 record, losing to Vanderbilt, 55-21, in their final game of the season. Quarterback Tanner Price and wide receiver Michael Campanaro return, but it’s hard to see this team winning more than six games.
Virginia Tech: The Terps haven’t played the Hokies since 2009, when Virginia Tech won, 36-9. There are still plenty of questions surrounding Virginia Tech in 2013, with staff changes a possibility and whether or not Logan Thomas returns for his senior season still up in the air.
The complete ACC schedule can be found HERE.
- Jakob Engelke
- Staff Writer - InsideMDSports