Every coach prefers to play as many games as possible on a home court or home field. This is neither surprising nor mysterious. It’s the coach who strays from this path who commands our scrutiny.

Thus 11 of the ACC’s 14 football teams play the majority of their dozen regularly scheduled games at home this season. Only Boston College, Virginia Tech, and Wake Forest attempt as many as half of their games on the road.

Look in the opposite direction, and N.C. State and Virginia play eight games, or two-thirds of their contests, at home. In other words the Wolfpack’s Dave Doeren and the Cavaliers’ Mike London have loaded the dice, and are virtually guaranteed winning records.

Unless their teams lose more games than they win.

On the basketball side, only one ACC team plays more on hostile floors (14) than at home (13). That’s Boston College, which also takes on more nonconference opponents on their courts than any other ACC squad.

Pittsburgh is at the other end of the spectrum, playing more than twice as many games at friendly venues (19) as on the road (9). All nine road games take place within the conference.

The Panthers are tied for the most home outings in the ACC, matching N.C. State and Notre Dame.