1. No. 3 Clemson (8-0, 5-0 ACC)
The Tigers survived their barnburner against NC State this weekend, 56-41, behind quarterback Deshaun Watson’s 437 total yards and six touchdowns. Up next is a highly anticipated matchup against Florida State in Death Valley, a must-win game for the Tigers.
2. No. 17 Florida State (7-1, 5-1 ACC)
Florida State played without running back Dalvin Cook and quarterback Everett Golson and flattened Syracuse Saturday, 45-21. Jimbo Fisher will now have to decide to start Golson or Sean Maguire, who passed for 348 yards and three touchdowns, this coming weekend on the road against Clemson.
3. No. 21 UNC-Chapel Hill (7-1, 4-0 ACC)
The Tar Heels proved against Pittsburgh Thursday night that they are a legitimate threat in the Coastal division, to the tune of a 26-19 victory. Up next is the Duke team that was upset by Miami in Durham.
4. (rv) Pittsburgh (6-2, 4-1 ACC)
After being down 20-3 in the first half, the Panthers’ comeback bid against the Tar Heels fell short in a 26-19 loss last Thursday. The Panthers’ two losses have come against teams with a combined 15-1 record, and they will have another tough test when they host No. 8 Notre Dame.
5. (rv) Duke (6-2, 3-1 ACC)
Final play controversy aside, the Blue Devils were down 14-3 at halftime, and couldn’t capitalize on Miami’s 23 penalties during their 30-27 loss in Durham. Duke will have chance to get back in the Coastal division race when it takes on the Tar Heels this Saturday in Chapel Hill.
6. Louisville (4-4, 3-2 ACC)
Bobby Petrino and company managed to pull out 20-19 win against Wake Forest Friday behind five forced turnovers. The Cardinals have turned it around the past few weeks, winning four of their last six games after starting 0-3 on the year, and face a struggling Syracuse team next.
7. NC State (5-3, 1-3 ACC)
The Wolfpack played well on offense, but the defense could not keep pace with Clemson’s offense, allowing a whopping 623 yards and falling 56-41 in Raleigh. NC State has now lost three of its last four games, all of which were in conference play. State will now travel to Boston College to get a much needed win on the road.
8. Virginia Tech (4-5, 2-3 ACC)
The Hokies put together a strong showing this weekend, defeating a defensively stout Boston College team 26-10. For the Hokies to become bowl eligible in head coach Frank Beamer’s final season, they will have to win two of their next three games (Georgia Tech, UNC-Chapel Hill and Virginia) after their bye week.
9. Miami (5-3, 2-2 ACC)
Even though the Hurricanes came away with a 30-27 win in Durham against the Blue Devils, they gave Duke plenty of chances to come back after blowing a 14-3 halftime lead. The Hurricanes will try to go 2-0 under interim coach Larry Scott when they take on Virginia next.
10. Virginia (3-5, 2-2 ACC)
After starting a dismal 1-4 to start the year, the Cavs have won two of their last three games, including a 27-21 win against Georgia Tech. Next up is a road matchup against the Miami Hurricanes, who won a tough matchup against Duke this past weekend.
11. Georgia Tech (3-6, 1-5 ACC)
The Paul Johnson offense has, uncharacteristically, struggled to run the ball consistently, and it showed during the Yellow Jackets 27-21 loss to Virginia, combining for just 143 yards from six rushers. Georgia Tech has now lost five of its last six games after starting the season 2-0.
12. Syracuse (3-5, 1-3 ACC)
Syracuse’s defense could not keep up with the Seminoles’ offense, eventually falling 45-21. Syracuse has struggled after starting the season so well, losing five straight games after starting the season 3-0 with one conference win locked up.
13. Wake Forest (3-6, 1-5 ACC)
Wake Forest had another tough loss after losing to the Louisville Cardinals, 20-19. Things will not get any easier for the Demon Deacons, as they have Notre Dame, Clemson and Duke left on their schedule.
14. Boston College (3-6, 0-6 ACC)
The Eagles have had a season to forget, as they started their fourth quarterback of the season, walk-on John Fadule, during their loss to the Hokies. They will have another tough matchup again this week, when they host NC State on Saturday.
