Connect with us

Published

on

The ACC is ditching divisions for 2023, and that has set up a schedule that looks a good bit different from years past.

The league released its 2023 schedule for all 14 teams Monday, highlighted by a showdown between defending champion Clemson and upstart Duke on Labor Day and a September matchup between Clemson and Florida State.

The league announced last year it would cease divisional play in 2023, waving goodbye to the familiar Atlantic and Coastal divisions in favor of a 3-5-5 system which will pit each team against three annual rivals and alternate home-and-home series vs. five other league opponents every two years.

The new approach means rivalry games like Florida State-Miami (Nov. 11 in Tallahassee), NC State-North Carolina (Nov. 25 in Raleigh) and Virginia-Virginia Tech (Nov. 25 in Charlottesville) remain at the forefront, but Georgia Tech will also travel to Wake Forest for the first time since 2010, Louisville will play Virginia Tech for just the second time since joining the ACC in 2014, and Miami and Boston College, once Big East rivals, will play for just the second time since 2012.

The ACC’s nonconference slate gets off to a rollicking start, too, with North Carolina taking on South Carolina, Virginia facing off against Tennessee, Florida State playing LSU and, in what figures to be one of the most confusing games of the year, Miami (Ohio) travels to Miami (Florida).

ACC teams will go on the road to face off against teams outside the Power 5 six times in 2023. The league played 10 road games outside the Power 5 last year, losing three. Commissioner Jim Phillips has strongly recommended league teams cease this scheduling philosophy, as it risks repetitional cachet in favor of saving money.

The ACC continues its annual showcase games against Notre Dame as well. The Irish will head to NC State on Sept. 9, play at Duke on Sept. 30 and Louisville on Oct. 7, host Pitt on Oct. 28, travel to Clemson on Nov. 4 and host Wake Forest on Nov. 18. The Irish typically play five games per year against the ACC, but played just four last season and have an extra date in 2023 as a result.

Below you’ll find the schedule for all 14 ACC teams as well as analysis from ESPN reporters David Hale and Andrea Adelson.


Game you’re most looking forward to?

Hale: Florida State and Clemson should both be highly ranked when they face off, which makes that the obvious answer, but I’m more excited about a few games that come with huge storylines and have nothing to do with the standings. Thanks to the transfer portal, there are some, shall we say … awkward dates on the calendar at a few places. Boston College goes to Pitt on Nov. 16, where the Eagles will likely face off against their former QB, Phil Jurkovec. Virginia hosts former QB Brennan Armstrong when NC State comes to town on Sept. 22. But, of course, none of those portal-related grudge matches looms larger than Wake Forest’s trip to South Bend to take on Sam Hartman and the Fighting Irish on Nov. 18. Hartman took Wake to an ACC championship game in 2021 and left the school after five years as the ACC’s all-time leader in passing touchdowns. He has been synonymous with Wake Forest, and a date with the Deacons will no doubt be incredibly emotional for both parties.

Adelson: Florida State-Clemson is the obvious answer because far more should be at stake when they play this year with expectations they will be the conference’s top-ranked teams. The game comes in Week 4 — Sept. 23 — the first time these teams will play in September since 2014. That also happens to be the last time Florida State beat Clemson. Conference championship game implications (and the College Football Playoff) could be on the line, but remember there are no more divisions. So these two teams could play again in December in the conference title game, which, perhaps is part of the appeal in scheduling this game so early in the season.


Toughest stretch

Adelson: You could say Virginia has the toughest schedule of any ACC team, but let’s look at the first four games in particular. The Cavaliers have two difficult Power 5 nonconference games, the opener against Tennessee and a road game against Maryland. Sandwiched in between is James Madison, which went 8-3 a year ago. After that, Virginia opens ACC play against NC State on a Friday night. So, in total, the first four opponents on the schedule went a combined 35-15. North Carolina does not have it easy to start the season, either, with games against South Carolina, Appalachian State, Minnesota and Pitt. Then there is Syracuse, which hosts Clemson on Sept. 30 before going on the road to play North Carolina and Florida State.

Hale: Wake Forest has had a habit of getting off to hot starts only to struggle to the finish line, and the 2023 schedule certainly sets up for more of the same. Yes, there’s the big road trip to Clemson that provides the year’s biggest hurdle on Oct. 7, but it’s the final stretch that really raises some alarms. Wake hosts Pitt and Florida State, travels to Duke on short rest for a Thursday night affair, hosts NC State and then goes to Notre Dame. That’s five straight opponents who won at least eight games last season. The good news for Wake is it’ll have a soft open to the schedule to get a new QB ready for the grind ahead. The bad news is, there’s really nowhere to hide once the calendar turns to October.


Who needs a fast start?

Hale: Miami’s first five games set up nicely. The Hurricanes get Miami (Ohio), Texas A&M and Bethune-Cookman at home, then go on the road to face Temple before an off week and a home game against Georgia Tech. Of that group, only the Redhawks made a bowl last season. If the Hurricanes are going to blossom into a real contender under coach Mario Cristobal, they’ll need to be at least 4-1 — and their fans are probably thinking 5-0 — heading into a Week 7 trip to Chapel Hill. But that might be easier said than done. It was just a year ago when Miami laid an egg against the inept Aggies before getting blown out at home by Middle Tennessee. The shine hasn’t worn off the Cristobal hire just yet, but after serious changes to both the staff and roster, it’s unlikely Miami fans will tolerate another bad start.

Adelson: Miami is the easy answer here, but I will go with another second-year coach in Brent Pry at Virginia Tech. No one was thrilled in Blacksburg a year ago with a 3-8 record. The open to the schedule will offer opportunities to show things are different, though, starting with Old Dominion, a team that beat Virginia Tech a year ago. Then come two Big Ten teams, Purdue, under a new coaching staff, and Rutgers. Perhaps even bigger is going on the road against Marshall, because if anything, Pry must show this team can go on the road and beat a Group of 5 team after what happened in 2022.


Sept. 2: Northern Illinois
Sept. 9: Holy Cross
Sept. 16: Florida State
Sept. 23: at Louisville
Sept. 30: Virginia
Oct. 7: at Army
Oct. 14: Open
Oct. 21: at Georgia Tech
Oct. 28: UConn
Nov. 3: at Syracuse
Nov. 11: Virginia Tech
Nov. 16: at Pitt
Nov. 24: Miami

Sept. 4: at Duke
Sept. 9: Charleston Southern
Sept. 16: Florida Atlantic
Sept. 23: Florida State
Sept. 30: at Syracuse
Oct. 7: Wake Forest
Oct. 14: Open
Oct. 21: at Miami
Nov. 4: Notre Dame
Nov. 11: Georgia Tech
Nov. 18: North Carolina
Nov. 25: at South Carolina

Sept. 4: Clemson
Sept. 9: Lafayette
Sept. 16: Northwestern
Sept. 23: at UConn
Sept. 30: Notre Dame
Oct. 7: Open
Oct. 14: NC State
Oct. 21: at Florida State
Oct. 28: at Louisville
Nov. 2: Wake Forest
Nov. 11: at North Carolina
Nov. 18: at Virginia
Nov. 25: Pitt

Sept. 3: vs. LSU in Orlando
Sept. 9: Southern Miss
Sept. 16: at Boston College
Sept. 23: at Clemson
Sept. 30: Open
Oct. 7: Virginia Tech
Oct. 14: Syracuse
Oct. 21: Duke
Oct. 28: at Wake Forest
Nov. 4: at Pitt
Nov. 11: Miami
Nov. 18: North Alabama
Nov. 25: at Florida

Sept. 1: vs. Louisville in Atlanta
Sept. 9: SC State
Sept. 16: at Ole Miss
Sept. 23: at Wake Forest
Sept. 30: Bowling Green
Oct. 7: at Miami
Oct. 14: Open
Oct. 21: Boston College
Oct. 28: North Carolina
Nov. 4: at Virginia
Nov. 11: at Clemson
Nov. 18: Syracuse
Nov. 25: Georgia

Sept. 1: vs. Georgia Tech in Atlanta
Sept. 7: Murray State
Sept. 16: at Indiana
Sept. 23: Boston College
Sept. 29: at NC State
Oct. 7: Notre Dame
Oct. 14: at Pitt
Oct. 21: Open
Oct. 28: Duke
Nov. 4: Virginia Tech
Nov. 9: Virginia
Nov. 18: at Miami
Nov. 25: Kentucky

Sept. 1: Miami (Ohio)
Sept. 9: Texas A&M
Sept. 14: Bethune-Cookman
Sept. 23: at Temple
Sept. 30: Open
Oct. 7: Georgia Tech
Oct. 14: at North Carolina
Oct. 21: Clemson
Oct. 28: Virginia
Nov. 4: at NC State
Nov. 11: at Florida State
Nov. 18: Louisville
Nov. 24: at Boston College

Sept. 2: vs. South Carolina in Charlotte
Sept. 9: Appalachian State
Sept. 16: Minnesota
Sept. 23: at Pitt
Sept. 30: Open
Oct. 7: Syracuse
Oct. 14: Miami
Oct. 21: Virginia
Oct. 28: at Georgia Tech
Nov. 4: Campbell
Nov. 11: Duke
Nov. 18: at Clemson
Nov. 25: at NC State

Sept. 2: at UConn
Sept. 9: Notre Dame
Sept. 16: VMI
Sept. 22: at Virginia
Sept. 29: Louisville
Oct. 7: Marshall
Oct. 14: at Duke
Oct. 21: Open
Oct. 28: Clemson
Nov. 4: Miami
Nov. 11: at Wake Forest
Nov. 18: at Virginia Tech
Nov. 25: North Carolina

Sept. 2: Wofford
Sept. 9: Cincinnati
Sept. 16: at West Virginia
Sept. 23: North Carolina
Sept. 30: at Virginia Tech
Oct. 7: Open
Oct. 14: Louisville
Oct. 21: at Wake Forest
Oct. 28: at Notre Dame
Nov. 4: Florida State
Nov. 11: vs. Syracuse in New York
Nov. 16: Boston College
Nov. 25: at Duke

Sept. 2: Colgate
Sept. 9: Western Michigan
Sept. 16: at Purdue
Sept. 23: Army
Sept. 30: Clemson
Oct. 7: at North Carolina
Oct. 14: at Florida State
Oct. 21: Open
Oct. 26: at Virginia Tech
Nov. 3: Boston College
Nov. 11: vs. Pitt in New York
Nov. 18: at Georgia Tech
Nov. 25: Wake Forest

Sept. 2: vs. Tennessee in Nashville
Sept. 9: James Madison
Sept. 16: at Maryland
Sept. 22: NC State
Sept. 30: at Boston College
Oct. 7: William & Mary
Oct. 14: Open
Oct. 21: at North Carolina
Oct. 28: at Miami
Nov. 4: Georgia Tech
Nov. 9: at Louisville
Nov. 18: Duke
Nov. 25: Virginia Tech

Sept. 2: Old Dominion
Sept. 9: Purdue
Sept. 16: at Rutgers
Sept. 23: at Marshall
Sept. 30: Pitt
Oct. 7: at Florida State
Oct. 14: Wake Forest
Oct. 21: Open
Oct. 26: Syracuse
Nov. 4: at Louisville
Nov. 11: at Boston College
Nov. 18: NC State
Nov. 25: at Virginia

Aug. 31: Elon
Sept. 9: Vanderbilt
Sept. 16: at Old Dominion
Sept. 23: Georgia Tech
Sept. 30: Open
Oct. 7: at Clemson
Oct. 14: at Virginia Tech
Oct. 21: Pitt
Oct. 28: Florida State
Nov. 2: at Duke
Nov. 11: NC State
Nov. 18: at Notre Dame
Nov. 25: at Syracuse

Continue Reading

Sports

M’s Crawford to IL after tweaking oblique in BP

Published

on

By

M's Crawford to IL after tweaking oblique in BP

ARLINGTON, Texas — Leadoff-hitting shortstop J.P. Crawford was placed on the 10-day injured list by the Seattle Mariners on Thursday because of a right oblique strain.

The move came a day after Crawford felt his oblique tweak during batting practice, resulting in him being a late scratch from the Mariners’ 5-1 loss at Texas.

“I do not have a timeline for J.P.,” manager Scott Servais said. “We’ll evaluate it as it goes along. We hope to get him back as soon as possible.”

Dylan Moore was the starting shortstop for the series finale Thursday against the Rangers. Center fielder Julio Rodriguez moved up to leadoff hitter from his usual No. 2 spot.

Seattle brought up infielder Leo Rivas from Triple-A Tacoma. Rivas, 26, has played 665 games over nine minor league seasons and was seeking his big league debut.

To make room on the 40-man roster, the Mariners transferred right-hander Gregory Santos (right lat) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL.

Crawford is off to a slow start, hitting .198 with two homers and nine RBIs in his first 22 games.

Continue Reading

Sports

Dusty Baker wins Baseball Digest lifetime award

Published

on

By

Dusty Baker wins Baseball Digest lifetime award

NEW YORK — Dusty Baker has won the fourth Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Baseball Digest.

The beloved Baker retired following the 2023 season after spending 56 years in the majors as a player, coach and manager. He was honored Thursday with an annual distinction that “recognizes a living individual whose career has been spent in or around Major League Baseball and who has made significant contributions to the game.”

Willie Mays won the inaugural award in 2021, followed by Vin Scully in 2022 and Joe Torre last year.

“Receiving this award is a tremendous honor,” 74-year-old Baker said in a news release. “I never thought that I’d be in the class of the people that received this award. I know that my late mom and dad would be proud of me. This is really special.”

Baker broke into the big leagues as a teenager with the Atlanta Braves in 1968 and played 19 seasons. He made two All-Star teams, won two Silver Slugger awards and earned a Gold Glove in the outfield.

He was the 1977 NL Championship Series MVP and finished fourth in 1980 NL MVP voting before helping the Los Angeles Dodgers win the 1981 World Series.

After his playing career, Baker was a coach for the San Francisco Giants 1988-92 and then became their manager in 1993. He won the first of his three NL Manager of the Year awards with the Giants that season and spent 26 years as a big league skipper, also guiding the Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, Washington Nationals and Houston Astros.

Baker took all those teams to the playoffs, winning 10 division crowns, three pennants and finally a World Series championship in 2022 with the Astros. He ranks seventh on the career list with 2,183 wins and is the only manager in major league history to lead five franchises to division titles.

In January, he returned to the Giants as a special adviser to baseball operations.

“On behalf of Major League Baseball, I am honored to congratulate Dusty Baker as the 2024 recipient of Baseball Digest’s Lifetime Achievement Award. He joins an incredible club,” commissioner Rob Manfred said. “Dusty represents leadership, goodwill, and winning baseball. His ability to connect with others, across generations, is second to none. He is a championship manager and player. But, most importantly, Dusty is an extraordinary ambassador for our national pastime.”

Baker was selected in voting by an 18-member panel from a list of candidates that also included Bob Costas, Sandy Koufax, Tony La Russa, Jim Leyland, Rachel Robinson and Bud Selig, among others.

Continue Reading

Sports

MLB bringing back Players Weekend in August

Published

on

By

MLB bringing back Players Weekend in August

For the first time since 2019, MLB will dedicate three days in August to players, focusing on showcasing them beyond their stats and on-field performances, according to a release distributed Thursday.

From Aug. 16-18, a different aspect of players’ lives will be highlighted through in-stadium events, game broadcasts and social media.

Day 1 (Aug. 16) will feature their personalities, friendships and off-the-field interests. Day 2 will focus on their charitable causes, and Day 3 will celebrate the people who helped them on their path to the big leagues, including parents, coaches and other mentors.

During the weekend, players will wear special New Era caps featuring each players’ uniform number on the side panel in a “youthful design,” according to the release. Players also will be able to use customized bats during the games and can wear cleats with personalized designs as well.

MLB is calling the three days a “reimagined Players’ Weekend” as its previous incarnation, from 2017 to ’19, featured specially designed uniforms with player nicknames on the back of their jerseys.

The goal of the weekend is to reach younger audiences, which have been growing over the past several years. According to league data, the median age of ticket purchasers has dropped from 51 to 45 since 2019, while ticket buyers from ages 18-35 has increased by almost 10% during the same timeframe. MLB is hoping that trend continues.

Continue Reading

Trending