FSU, Virginia Tech control ACC rankings

Zack Tanner, Senior Staff Writer • September 16, 2014

Sophomore corner back Jack Tocho returns a fumble for a touchdown that would eventually be called back vs. Old Dominion on Sept. 6. The Wolfpack won the contest 46-34, and after a win over South Florida by a score of 49-17, are undefeated and ranked fifth in the Technician’s ACC – Atlantic power rankings.

The third week of the 2014 NCAA football season saw Boston College upset No. 9 Southern California, NC State blow out Southern Florida and Florida State continue its march toward a second consecutive national championship. Seven ACC teams remain undefeated on the year, including NC State, while only Wake Forest holds a record under .500. FSU headlines the Atlantic division, while Virginia Tech remains on top of the Coastal rankings despite a loss to ECU.

ATLANTIC

1. No. 1 Florida State (2-0):

The reigning BCS champions are still undefeated and looking as strong as ever in 2014. After a close call against Oklahoma State on opening night, the Seminoles took care of the Citadel with little issue. Florida State will battle for conference supremacy this Saturday night against No. 22 Clemson.

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2. No. 22 Clemson (1-1):

Despite having an even record, the Tigers are clearly the second-best team in the Atlantic division. The Clemson squad fought hard against an SEC powerhouse in No. 12 Georgia then stomped South Carolina State by 66 points. The Tigers are averaging 47 points per game, good for 11th best in the nation.

3. Boston College (2-1):

Despite suffering a conference loss to Pittsburgh the week before, the Eagles shocked the nation on Saturday with an upset win over No. 9 Southern California. Despite losing 2013 Heisman finalist running back Andre Williams, the Boston College squad still ranks 11th in the nation in rushing.

4. Louisville (2-1):

After two solid wins, including a 31-13 rout of Miami, to start the season, the Cardinals fell from the top-25 polls after losing on the road at Virginia on Saturday. Louisville can’t afford to lose anymore early games, as the team will face No. 1 Florida State, No. 22 Clemson and No. 9 Notre Dame later this season.

5. NC State (3-0):

The Wolfpack started the season shaky, having to rely on two second-half comebacks to defeat Georgia Southern and Old Dominion. However, the State squad silenced the critics with a 49-17 dismantling of South Florida in Tampa Bay on Saturday. The Pack will enjoy its last cupcake of the season on Saturday before facing No. 1 Florida State and No. 22 Clemson in the following weeks.

6. Syracuse (2-0):

After nearly succumbing to an upset from Villanova, an FCS squad, the Orange had two weeks to prepare for a road trip to Central Michigan, which ‘Cuse handled 40-3. The Orange will face off with Maryland on Saturday in a battle between the new ACC and the old ACC.

7. Wake Forest (1-2):

As the only team in the ACC under .500, the Demon Deacons are clearly the worst team in the conference. Losses to Louisiana-Monroe and Utah State certainly don’t look good on any resume, and it certainly doesn’t help that the team’s leading rusher has only 85 yards through three games.

COASTAL

1. Virginia Tech (2-1):

Head coach Frank Beamer’s squad has shocked the nation two weeks in a row. First, the Hokies traveled to Columbus and drilled No. 8 Ohio State, 35-21. However, Virginia Tech would fall at home to unranked East Carolina the very next week. The up-and-down Hokies will face Georgia Tech Saturday.

2. Duke (3-0):

The next three spots were nearly even, but the Blue Devils earn the slight edge, simply because they were ranked higher in the Technician’s initial ACC rankings. Duke has wiped the floor with its past three opponents, and boasts the eighth-best opponents-points-per-game average in the nation at 11.0.

3. Virginia (2-1):

Who is this team, and what has it done with the Virginia Cavaliers? After a brutal 2-10 season in 2013, the Cavs have beaten a top-25 team and played a top-10 team within a touchdown. The Virginia squad will face another test in No. 21 Brigham Young on Saturday, and a win may vault them into the national standings.

4. Pittsburgh (3-0):

This season, the Panthers have personified the ground-and-pound playing style, rushing for an outrageous 344.3 yards per game, good for fifth-best in the nation. Pitt is one of three ACC teams with a conference win this season, as the team defeated Boston College, 30-20.

5. UNC-Chapel Hill (2-0):

Again, the next three teams were nearly a tie. However, the Tar Heels received the most votes of any team not in the AP top 25 this week, so they get the higher spot. However, UNC-CH will face a battle-tested East Carolina squad Saturday and may be in store for a big upset.

6. Georgia Tech (3-0):

Despite lighting up the scoreboard with 39.3 points per game, the Yellow Jackets have not been too impressive, as the team has not played anyone worth mentioning. The Georgia Tech team does boast the 13th-best rushing attack in the nation at 306 yards per game.

7. Miami (2-1):

After high hopes for the 2014 season, the Hurricanes dropped the ball against Louisville on opening night. Miami bounced back in the following weeks, but as a whole, the ‘Canes have been underwhelming. The South Beach squad will travel to Nebraska to face the No. 24 Cornhuskers on Saturday.