ACC and local college football games for opening week 

GEORGIA AT CLEMSON

8 p.m. Saturday | WSET

The No. 8 Tigers face the No. 5 Bulldogs for the first time since 2003.

Georgia’s Aaron Murray threw for 3,893 yards last year, while Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall ran for a combined 2,144 yards.

“Offensively, it could be as good an offense as we’ve seen in the last couple years,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. “They really have the ability to throw it 50 times or run it 50 times. That’s what makes them so good offensively. This is a very balanced attack.

“They’ve got a quarterback who can make all the throws. They’ve got a veteran offensive line and two great backs. It’s a huge challenge and a chess match in trying to defend those guys.”

UNC AT SOUTH CAROLINA

6 p.m. today | ESPN

North Carolina will take on the No. 6 Gamecocks and their star defensive end, Jadeveon Clowney.

“You don’t trash your whole offense and change everything just for him,” UNC coach Larry Fedora said. “We’ve tweaked some things to be able to adjust hopefully to where he is, but we know also that he’s going to play multiple positions, so you can’t sit there and scheme for one guy.”

FLORIDA STATE AT PITT

8 p.m. Monday | ESPN

The Panthers make their ACC debut against the league’s defending champ.

It will also be the debut of FSU’s new QB, redshirt freshman Jameis Winston. He will be able to rely on RB James Wilder and a talented offensive line.

“You have to depend on your veterans,” FSU coach Jimbo Fisher said. “When there’s opportunities for him to make a play, he’s got to be able to do that. But he’s got to manage the game, he’s got to take care of the ball. … The brunt of the responsibility will be on those other guys.”

SYRACUSE VS. PENN STATE

3:30 p.m. Saturday | WSET

Syracuse and Penn State will square off in East Rutherford, N.J.

It will be the head-coaching debut of Syracuse’s Scott Shafer.

“We’ve wanted to streamline our game plans, make sure we’re calling the plays on both sides of the ball in such a manner that the kids can just play fast,” Shafer said.

LA. TECH AT N.C. STATE

12:30 p.m. Saturday | CW5

The Wolfpack’s new coach, Dave Doeren, has not announced his starting QB. Colorado State transfer Pete Mitchell has been battling Arkansas transfer Brandon Mitchell.

Skip Holtz is the new coach at Conference USA newcomer Louisiana Tech. Texas Tech transfer Scott Young is the Bulldogs’ new QB.

FIU AT MARYLAND

12:30 p.m. Saturday | CSN

Ron Turner, the new coach of Conference USA newcomer Florida International, has switched FIU from a spread offense to a pro-style attack.

“There’s a lot of uncertainty,” Maryland coach Ron Edsall said. “We’ve just got to take care of ourselves.

“We have more depth on defense than what we’ve had before and we’ve got some [defensive] guys that can really run.”

FLORIDA ATLANTIC AT MIAMI

8 p.m. Friday | ESPNU

Florida Atlantic, another new member of Conference USA, faces Miami for the first time.

VILLANOVA AT BOSTON COLLEGE

Noon Saturday | ESPNEWS

Boston College is one of four ACC teams opening against an FCS foe, but Villanova is not a cupcake. The Wildcats are ranked No. 5 in The Sports Network FCS poll.

“This will be a tremendous challenge,” BC first-year coach Steve Addazio said.

PRESBYTERIAN AT WAKE

6:30 p.m. today | ESPN3.com

Wake Forest meets Big South member Presbyterian for the second time in four years.

N.C. CENTRAL AT DUKE

4 p.m. Saturday | ESPN3.com

The Blue Devils open against another Durham, N.C., school — MEAC member North Carolina Central.

ELON AT GEORGIA TECH

Noon Saturday | ESPN3.com

The Yellow Jackets meet Southern Conference member Elon for the first time.

VMI AT RICHMOND

6 p.m. Saturday

The Spiders have beaten VMI 10 straight times.

Richmond is ranked No. 15 in The Sports Network FCS poll. The Spiders were picked fourth in the Colonial Athletic Association preseason coaches poll.

“We certainly have a team that is capable of competing for a conference championship,” UR coach Danny Rocco said. “We won eight football games a year ago and I think this team is better in some areas, comparable in most.”

The UR starting lineup includes a pair of twins from Salem — WR Stephen Barnette and S Reggie Barnette.

“These two kids can play at the FBS level,” Rocco said. “Stephen can jump, plays the ball in the air extremely well, has got top-end speed. Reggie has proven himself to be a physical tackler.”

Richmond’s leading rusher last year was FB Kendall Gaskins, who is now with the Buffalo Bills. Seth Fisher (Salem) has replaced him as the No. 1 fullback and will also see time at tailback.

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