Conference play has kicked into high gear around the country. With Week 11 set to kick off, here are five players in the ACC to circle all over Saturday’s slate of football.
Jamal Haynes, RB, Georgia Tech
vs. No. 4 Miami
What To Look For: The lead back for the Yellow Jackets, Jamal Haynes will be looked upon to get the Georgia Tech offense on the tracks early in Week 11. While Miami’s offense remains one of the best in football, there are many questions surrounding their overall ceiling on the defensive side of the ball. Long story short, you'll have to put up points in bunches to upset the Hurricanes, and if Haynes gets going, Georgia Tech may have a shot. Haynes is currently 10th in the ACC in rushing yards (598).
Joshua Farmer, DL, Florida State
@ No. 10 Notre Dame
What To Look For: Joshua Farmer has arguably been the Seminoles’ top defender this fall. While much hasn’t gone right for head coach Mike Norvell and Co. in Tallahassee, the 6-foot-3, 315-pound Farmer has remained a bright spot. Notre Dame has historically been a team that gets after teams on the ground, and things won’t change this week. For Farmer, it’s an opportunity against NFL-level talent in a hostile road environment to raise his stock.
Malachi Fields, WR, Virginia
@ No. 23 Pittsburgh
What To Look For: Third in the ACC in receiving yards (654) entering Week 11, Malachi Fields has quietly had a sensational 2024 campaign for the ‘Hoos. A physically imposing weapon at 6-foot-4, Fields is a long strider that showcases a few of the traits teams love in big-bodied targets on the outside. He’s got good hands, uses his frame well inside a phone booth, and has the quickness and vision to create on designated touches behind the line of scrimmage.
Antwaun Powell-Ryland, EDGE, Virginia Tech
vs. No. 19 Clemson
What To Look For: The ACC leader in sacks (10), Antwaun Powell-Ryland enters his matchup with the Tigers with five sacks in the last three weeks. A versatile athlete who can rush from anywhere along the LOS, finding where he is aligned will remain a focus for the Clemson front five on every snap. If the Hokies are to pull an upset at Lane Stadium, they’ll need their best from one of the country’s most productive sack artists in 2024.
Devon Marshall, CB, NC State
vs. Duke
What To Look For: Devon Marshall continues to pop week after week. While his PBUs (7) initially pop off the page, his fundamental coverage ability stands out. It’s not easy to live in man coverage, let alone in press-man opportunities, and Marshall’s awareness, technique, and body positioning make him a tall task to beat on the outside. He’s allowed a minuscule 52.8% of passes to be completed as the primary man in coverage (36 targets) so far this fall.
