As the bulk of the ACC continues to be a mess, Clemson and NC State have emerged as the clear favorites to win the conference as they each enter bye weeks. Here’s how the ACC is shaking out, six weeks into the season.
1) Clemson (6-0, 3-0 ACC)
After looking extremely vulnerable vs Syracuse, Clemson found its way with the rushing game. Three different backs carried the ball exactly 10 times each against Wake Forest, each one of them going over 100 yards and scoring at least one touchdown a piece as the Tigers demolished the Demon Deacons, 63-3. The fourth best team in the nation has a bye this week ahead of a ranked showdown with No. 20 NC State.
2) NC State (5-0, 2-0 ACC)
NC State is getting the job done, winning all its contests albeit unimpressively. In ACC play, the Wolfpack’s defense has emerged as a force to be reckoned with, with the 15th best rushing defense in the country as well as only allowing 16.8 points per game, good for 14th best in the nation. NC State has a bye this week before it travels to Death Valley to take on No. 4 Clemson.
3) Miami (5-1, 2-0 ACC)
Miami managed an impressive comeback down 20 points to stun their rival Florida State and maintain a joint lead of the Coastal division with Virginia Tech. The Hurricanes will travel to Virginia this week, and N’Kosi Perry will duel with Virginia’s star quarterback Bryce Perkins.
4) Virginia Tech (3-2, 2-0 ACC)
The Hokies got spanked at home against college football playoff hopeful Notre Dame 45-23 in a game that wasn’t as close as the score indicates. Defensive coordinator Bud Foster will look to get the defense back on track this week as they travel to UNC-Chapel Hill to take on the struggling Tar Heels.
5) Boston College (4-2, 1-1 ACC)
Boston College nearly pulled off an upset in Carter-Finley Stadium last week, but without A.J. Dillon, they couldn’t get the run game going, losing 28-23. Dillon, who didn’t make the trip to Raleigh, is improving according to head coach Steve Addazio, but it is uncertain if he will be healthy in time to play Louisville this week.
6) Duke (4-1, 0-1 ACC)
Duke comes off its bye week looking to rebound from a 31-14 loss at the hands of Virginia Tech. The Blue Devils are looking to find their first conference win in Atlanta as they take on Georgia Tech.
7) Syracuse (4-2, 1-2 ACC)
Syracuse enters a bye week after a disappointing loss to Pittsburgh in overtime that likely ended their chances at competing for the Atlantic division. The Orange will look to improve a run defense that has been porous as of late, giving up 200-plus yards in two straight weeks.
8) Pittsburgh (3-3, 2-1 ACC)
The Panthers ended a two game skid last week by relying on their rushing attack. Senior backs Qadree Ollison and Darrin Hall combined for over 300 scrimmage yards and carried Pittsburgh to a 44-37 overtime victory against Syracuse. The Panthers travel to South Bend on Saturday to take on Notre Dame.
9) Virginia (3-2, 1-1 ACC)
Virginia had a bye last week following a 35-21 loss to NC State. The Cavaliers were solid passing the ball but couldn’t rush the ball against the Wolfpack. As Virginia hosts Miami this week, the Cavaliers look to have a more balanced offensive attack.
10) Florida State (3-3, 1-3 ACC)
The Seminoles looked to have turned a corner last week as they built a 27-7 lead on Miami before giving up 21 unanswered points and losing the game. Florida State returns home to host Wake Forest, a game it’s expected to win.
11) Georgia Tech (3-3, 1-2 ACC)
Georgia Tech dominated Louisville last week, winning 66-31 and rushing for 542 yards while only passing for 12. The Yellow Jackets aim to reach .500 in conference play as they host Duke on Saturday.
12) Wake Forest (3-3, 0-2 ACC)
After getting embarrassed at home against Clemson, the Demon Deacons have a bye week this Saturday and have a much more winnable matchup next week, traveling to a Florida State team that has struggled this year.
13) UNC-Chapel Hill (1-3, 1-1 ACC)
UNC has had a tough year. Last week’s primetime drubbing against Miami was brutal to watch as neither quarterback for the Tar Heels could manage to even look competent. This week they host a Virginia Tech team that’s looking to make a statement, so it could get ugly in Chapel Hill.
14) Louisville (2-4, 0-3 ACC)
Louisville is somehow worse than UNC, which is a feat in and of itself. The Cardinals are at a real risk of going winless in conference play, as they travel to Boston College as 14-point underdogs.
