UNDATED (AP) — Exactly 68 schools reached or came within 5 percent of reaching the $20.5 million revenue-sharing cap over the first season of a system that allowed the schools to pay their players directly. That's the same number of athletic programs in the four biggest conferences in Division I. The College Sports Commission says 319 schools opted in to the arrangement that allowed them to pay players. Of those, 307 doled out $1.77 billion in revenue. The CSC did not divulge the identities of the 68 schools who went all-in, though it was widely expected that all Power Four schools would.
UNDATED (AP) — Pittsburgh's Pat Narduzzi and Virginia Tech's James Franklin meet again when the unbeaten Panthers and Hokies play Friday. Narduzzi faced his coaching rival a handful of times in the late 2010s when Franklin was at Penn State. Narduzzi called Franklin a "first-class" coach and isn't surprised that the Hokies scooped him up last fall, not long after he was let go by the Nittany Lions. Virginia Tech is looking to start the season 5-0 for the first time since 2005. The winner will get an early leg up in what is looking to be a competitive ACC race behind No. 4 Miami.
UNDATED (AP) — Pittsburgh and Virginia Tech meet Friday in a matchup of unbeaten teams to headline the Atlantic Coast Conference's Week 5 slate. It's a coaching reunion for Panthers coach Pat Narduzzi and Hokies coach James Franklin. Those two met from 2016-19 in an instate series when Franklin was in his dozen-year run at Penn State. The schedule includes fourth-ranked Miami visiting Clemson and Louisville trying to regroup from a home loss to Wake Forest by visiting N.C. State.
UNDATED (AP) — Third-ranked Notre Dame has a rushing attack that coach Marcus Freeman considers to be improving entering Saturday's trip to North Carolina. The Fighting Irish average 141.8 yards on the ground to rank 98th in the Bowl Subdivision ranks. That's down significantly from last year when they ranked 17th by averaging 203.4 yards. That attack was led by a pair of first-round NFL running backs in Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price. The Tar Heels are coming out of an open week hoping to do a better job connecting for downfield gains with quarterback Billy Edwards Jr.
UNDATED (AP) — Miami is determined to make the Atlantic Coast Conference championship this season after missing out last year. The Hurricanes have been dominant, outscoring opponents 207-36, and have the top offense in the country. Duke transfer Darian Mensah is excelling as quarterback. Miami faces a crucial game against Clemson on Saturday. Clemson's defense has improved since a season-opening loss to LSU. Clemson is a 17.5-point home underdog, the largest in the Dabo Swinney era. Miami's running back Mark Fletcher Jr. and defensive tackle Ahmad Moten Sr. are expected to return from injuries.
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Notre Dame’s defense seems to have turned a corner. Four games into last season, it was answering question about whether it was stout enough to help the Fighting Irish make a title run. Four games into this season, the numbers indicate there’s not much doubt. The third-ranked Fighting Irish allow the fewest yards per game and second-fewest points per game in the Football Bowl Subdivision heading into Saturday’s game at North Carolina. And while the Irish have given up 23 points, the defense has nearly offset that total by scoring three touchdowns. They’ve done all that despite losing preseason All-American safety Brauntae Johnson and his replacement, Luke Talich, to injuries.
