The 2022 season makes the turn and heads into the football equivalent of the back 9 this week.

Although there’s still a ways to go before we head into the home stretch, the urgency starts getting kicked up a notch now that we’re passed the halfway mark in the schedule.

There’s something at stake for everyone whether they’re playing for a championship, playing to earn bowl eligibility or playing for their coach’s job. There’s even a rivalry game on tap to add even more spice to the Week 7 lineup.

There are only 4 games on the schedule because of open dates. But they’re all good.

Here’s what’s on the line (along with a few predictions):

North Carolina at Duke

The winner of the annual Battle of the Blues will earn possession of the Victory Bell for the next year. That’s a valuable prize no matter what the circumstances surrounding the game. This year, however, that’s not the only thing at stake when the Tar Heels make the short drive to Wallace Wade Stadium to take on the rival Blue Devils.

At 2-0 in the ACC after victories against Virginia Tech and Miami, UNC (5-1 overall) can maintain sole possession of 1st place in the Coastal Division. Duke, on the other hand, can help throw the division into its usual chaotic state by knocking off the Tar Heels. Not only would that move the Blue Devils into a tie for the division lead – along with Georgia Tech and possibly Miami – it also would move them to within a win of bowl eligibility in Mike Elko’s 1st season as coach.

UNC finally has begun showing signs of defensive improvement to go along with its ACC-best offense, but the Blue Devils – despite last weekend’s overtime loss at Georgia Tech – are an improved bunch with a penchant for forcing turnovers.

The oddsmakers have set the Tar Heels as a 6-point favorite. That’s about right.

Prediction: UNC 37, Duke 31

Clemson at Florida State

The 4th-ranked Tigers can continue to distance themselves from the rest of the Atlantic Division by putting away the faltering Seminoles. A victory in Tallahassee would give them at least a 1-game lead with tiebreakers on every division rival except Syracuse, which they’ll have a chance to put away next week.

The goal for FSU is much more modest, but no less important. After getting off to an encouraging 4-0 start, coach Mike Norvell’s team has suffered back-to-back Atlantic Division losses at the hands of Wake Forest and then-No. 14 NC State. Knocking off a top-5 Clemson team not only would get it back on the right track, but it would provide a major boost to a program battling to return to prominence after 4 straight losing seasons.

The Seminoles have improved. But so are the Tigers, who have begun looking more like a national contender with each passing week.

Prediction: Clemson 34, FSU 20

NC State at Syracuse

The No. 15 Wolfpack will present the undefeated and 18th-ranked Orange with its most challenging test yet, though exactly how tough it will be won’t be known until we see how NC State looks in the absence of starting quarterback Devin Leary.

Regardless of who’s doing the passing for the Wolfpack, this is an opportunity for Syracuse coach Dino Babers’ team to continue building on its surprising start, clinch bowl eligibility and most surprisingly, remain in contention for the Atlantic Division crown.

Now that we know Jack Chambers will be playing in Leary’s place, coach Dave Doeren and offensive coordinator Tim Beck will have to show more trust in their graduate transfer backup than after he took over during the 3rd quarter of last weekend’s win against FSU. Chambers did lead the team to 3 field goals that provided the margin of victory, but he attempted only 1 pass as NC State relied on its defense to hold on 19-17.

A win would keep NC State on track to accomplish its goal of a double-digit win season. Its defense is good enough to pull it through.

Prediction: NC State 20, Syracuse 17

Miami at Virginia Tech

The Hurricanes need a win to keep from falling any farther behind UNC in the Coastal after losing to the Tar Heels last weekend. More than that, Saturday’s trip to Blacksburg is an opportunity for coach Mario Cristobal and his preseason division favorites to right the ship and snap a 3-game losing streak.

Coach Brent Pry’s Hokies, meanwhile, look to re-establish what once was among the ACC’s best home-field advantages at Lane Stadium and take a step forward in a building process that has gotten off to a slow start.

Even in defeat last weekend, Miami began to show signs it might be ready to get its mojo back. Quarterback Tyler Van Dyke was especially good in throwing for 496 yards against the Tar Heels. He’ll stand a good chance of building on that performance against a Virginia Tech defense that has surrendered 40 or more points in each of its past 2 games.

Prediction: Miami 41, Virginia Tech 21