After three weeks of college football, here is a look at the ACC Power Rankings.
1. Florida State (3-0, 1-0 ACC)
The Seminoles’ defense took over the game in a 14-0 shutout of the Boston College Eagles over the weekend. The Eagles were held to just 195 total yards, two turnovers and were shutout for the first time since 2010. While the Seminoles’ offense also struggled to get on track, they will have an opportunity to right the ship in two weeks against Wake Forest.
2. Clemson (3-0, 1-0 ACC)
Conference road games are always tough, and Louisville proved that last Thursday. The Tigers had solid play from running back Wayne Gallman, who posted 139 yards on 24 carries. The Tigers do not play again until Oct. 3, giving the team an extra week to prepare for a matchup with No. 6 Notre Dame.
3. Georgia Tech (2-1, 0-0 ACC)
The Irish did something that very few teams have been able to do since Paul Johnson arrived in Atlanta, bottle up the triple-option. Despite the loss, the Yellow Jackets managed to control the ball well, by getting four more first downs and had one fewer turnover than the Irish. Georgia Tech looks to jump-start its offense against Duke Sept. 26 in Durham.
4. NC State (3-0, 0-0 ACC)
So far the Wolfpack has done everything that’s been asked of it: winning its first three games, and in dominant fashion. Redshirt senior quarterback Jacoby Brissett has played lights out, completing almost 78 percent of his passes and scoring five total touchdowns. If the Pack wants to show it can play with top competition, it needs to carry over this success when it starts ACC play Oct. 3 at home against Louisville.
5. Miami (3-0, 0-0 ACC)
Going into the fourth quarter of their game against Nebraska, the Hurricanes held a demanding 30-10 lead, despite having linebacker Darrion Owens and running back Gus Edwards sidelined for the year due to injury. However, the Cornhuskers rallied to force the game into overtime before Miami ultimately closed the game out, 36-33. The Hurricanes have a bye week followed by a matchup with Cincinnati before they renew their rivalry with Florida State in Tallahassee.
T-6. North Carolina (2-1, 0-0 ACC)
Had it not been for Tar Heels quarterback Marquise Williams’ horrific play, the Tar Heels could easily be 3-0 at this point. The Tar Heels dispatched Illinois 48-14, with Williams to have seemingly recovered from his terrible outing against South Carolina, as he has a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 5-to-1 since.
T-6. Duke (2-1, 0-0 ACC)
When Blue Devils quarterback Thomas Sirk finally faced elite competition against Northwestern this past weekend, the Glen St. Mary, Florida native came up small, throwing for just over 150 yards with no touchdowns and one interception in 19-10 loss. Sirk will have another chance to prove himself when Duke hosts No. 20 Georgia Tech this weekend.
8. Virginia Tech (2-1, 0-0 ACC)
The Hokies drubbed the Purdue Boilermakers Saturday 51-24 on the road. Brenden Motley has been serviceable at quarterback since the injury of Michael Brewer, throwing for over 400 yards, four touchdowns and zero interceptions in his two starts this season. The Hokies also scored touchdowns on offense, defense and special teams in a game for the first time since 2007.
9. Boston College (2-1, 0-1 ACC)
While the Eagles’ defense looked stellar against Florida State, holding Heisman Trophy contender Dalvin Cook to just 55 yards rushing. The offense couldn’t provide the effort needed to upset the eighth ranked team in the country. Things don’t get any easier for the Eagles, as quarterback Darius Wade is now out for the year with a broken ankle.
10. Syracuse (3-0, 1-0 ACC)
The Orange has itself a difficult road ahead after freshman quarterback Eric Dungey went down with an injury during the team’s 30-27 victory against Central Michigan. The Orange needs Dungey to make a quick recovery if they want a chance to upset No. 8 LSU at home on Sept. 26.
11. Pittsburgh (2-1, 0-0 ACC)
The Panthers struggled early in their game against the Iowa Hawkeyes, and, despite rallying in the second half, lost 27-24 to the Hawkeyes on a field goal as time expired. Pitt now has to rebound quickly if it wants to beat Virginia Tech and the Bud Foster lead defense.
12. Wake Forest (2-1, 0-1 ACC)
The Deacs are still being plagued by turnovers three weeks into the season, adding three more after their game with Army on Saturday. The Deacs will have one last non-conference game before a matchup with the Seminoles Oct. 3.
13. Virginia (1-2, 0-0 ACC)
Virginia’s offense looked to be rolling on all cylinders Saturday, but it seemed to struggle late in a close victory against FCS school William & Mary, getting outscored 9-0 in the fourth quarter. The Cavaliers will look to get to .500 as they host the Boise State Broncos Sept. 25.
14. Louisville (0-3, 0-1 ACC)
The old saying goes, “If you have multiple quarterbacks, then you have no quarterback,” and Louisville’s record reflects that. The Cards have used a different starting quarterback in each of their three games. Head coach Bobby Petrino will have to find answers quickly if the Cards want any chance to salvage their season.