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IN THE SPOTLIGHT

WAKE FOREST AT GA. TECH

3:30 p.m. | WSET

Storyline: The Yellow Jackets (8-1, 5-1) are two wins away from the Coastal Division title.

"We haven't won anything yet," Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson said. "We've kind of approached each conference game since the Miami loss as an elimination game or playoff game. This one's the same."

The Jackets are coming off a 56-31 win at Vanderbilt.

"We tackled very poorly in the game," Johnson said.

Wake (4-5, 2-3) is on a three-game skid. QB Riley Skinner suffered a concussion in last week's loss to Miami.

"He looked fine this morning," coach Jim Grobe said Wednesday. "Hopefully we'll have him ready to go by Saturday."

The Yellow Jackets are averaging 440.4 yards with their chew-the-clock offense.

"The combination of Riley being kind of day-to-day and not being able to get [the Wake defense] off the field this past Saturday against Miami, knowing that you're playing an even bigger challenge this week against Georgia Tech, is a concern," Grobe said.

FLORIDA STATE AT CLEMSON

7:45 p.m. | ESPN

Storyline: The Tigers (5-3, 3-2), on a three-game winning streak, are in the driver's seat for the Atlantic Division crown.

"They're better than anybody we've played, ... especially their defense, and then of course they have that home-run hitting ability that scares you to death," FSU coach Bobby Bowden said.

Christian Ponder has thrown for 2,453 yards for FSU (4-4, 2-3). Clemson ranks fifth nationally in pass defense (146.2 ypg).

"Ponder's outstanding," Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. "We'll have to have our best game from a coverage standpoint."

Bowden said he thinks Ponder (bruised ribs) will be OK for Saturday's game.

Clemson's C.J. Spiller needs 70 yards to reach 7,000 all-purpose yards in his career.

DUKE AT NORTH CAROLINA

3:30 p.m. | ESPNU

Storyline: The Blue Devils (5-3, 3-1) try to win their fourth straight game.

"It sets up as a really strong defensive struggle," Duke coach David Cutcliffe said.

UNC (5-3, 1-3) is allowing an average of just 16.5 points.

Thaddeus Lewis has thrown for 2,315 yards for Duke.

"I've been very impressed with Thaddeus Lewis' ability to throw good balls," UNC coach Butch Davis. "He's thrown through tight windows and tight coverages."

MARYLAND AT N.C. STATE

1 p.m.

Storyline: The Terrapins (2-6, 1-3), on a three-game skid, seek to beat the Wolfpack (3-5, 0-4) for the fourth straight year.

State ranks 20th nationally in scoring offense (33.1 ppg).

"We've been playing better on defense, but I think we're really going to get tested this week," Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen said.

The Wolfpack is on a four-game slide, allowing an average of 44 points during this stretch.

VMI AT LIBERTY

7 p.m. | MASN

Storyline: This is the Big South finale for the Keydets (2-6, 1-4), who have lost to Liberty (6-2, 3-0) the past three years.

South Carolina transfer Tommy Beecher has thrown for 1,019 yards for Liberty. VMI ranks last in the league in pass defense (280.4 ypg).

"Our corners, we're just young and we're not very confident out there, and we can't put them much in one-on-one situations," VMI coach Sparky Woods said.

Liberty is allowing just 16.5 points per game.

"We're kind of beat up in the offensive line, and they've got a big, physical defensive line," Woods said.

Flames coach Danny Rocco is concerned about VMI's option game.

"I'm fearful of this football team," Rocco said. "When I look at [Tim] Maypray and [Kyle] Hughes and ... [Howard] Abegesah, it's hard to sleep."

W&L AT EMORY & HENRY

1 p.m.

Storyline: This is the season finale for the Generals (3-6, 2-3 ODAC), who are wrapping up their second straight losing season.

W&L is coming off its second overtime loss of the year. W&L's six defeats have been by an average of 4.7 points.

"It has been so hard," coach Frank Miriello said of the season.

Caleb Jennings has rushed for 944 yards for the Wasps (5-3, 1-3).

"He's got great speed," Miriello said.

William Byrd graduate T.J. Frazier of E&H ranks eighth in Division III in punting (40.1 ypg).

AVERETT AT FERRUM

1 p.m.

Storyline: This is the home finale for the Panthers (4-4, 2-3 USA South).

Cody Ladutko has thrown for 1,243 yards for Averett (6-2, 4-1). Ferrum ranks last in the league in pass defense (216.5 ypg).

"They do a lot of things on offense -- they'll go empty backfield and throw the ball all over the lot, and they'll get in the 'I' and run," Ferrum coach Dave Davis said.

Ferrum safety Tae Motley will miss the game (broken wrist).