With conference play beginning for most teams this week, here are the latest ACC power rankings.
1. No. 11 Florida State (3-0, 1-0 ACC)
FSU was one of the few teams to escape this weekend without a loss, as it was aided by way of a bye week. As long as the Seminoles have potential Heisman candidate Dalvin Cook in the backfield, they should be able to make short work of Wake Forest this weekend.
2. No. 12 Clemson (3-0, 1-0 ACC)
Another team benefiting from a bye week, the Tigers will have plenty of rest for their defense, ranked No.11 in the nation in scoring, for when they host No. 6 Notre Dame this weekend.
3. (rv) NC State (4-0, 0-0 ACC)
Play a non-conference opponent, dominate on both sides of the ball and plan for the next matchup. Lather, rinse, repeat. Redshirt senior quarterback Jacoby Brissett has been the model of efficiency for the Wolfpack; he has now gone without an interception since the Pack’s matchup against Georgia Tech last November.
4. (rv) Duke (3-1, 1-0 ACC)
After looking absolutely stifled against the Northwestern Wildcats just one week ago, the Blue Devils came out and looked in control against the then-No. 20 ranked Yellow Jackets, despite turning the ball over more and losing the time of possession battle. With the Boston College Eagles coming to Durham this Saturday, the Devils will try to keep their conference success moving.
5. Georgia Tech (2-2, 0-1 ACC)
The Yellow Jackets had two major opportunities to cement themselves as the team to beat in the Coastal Division and failed to do so, getting defeated by more than a touchdown against both Notre Dame and Duke. With games against Florida State, North Carolina and Clemson during the next three weeks, the Yellow Jackets need to turn things around quickly.
6. North Carolina (3-1, 0-0 ACC)
The Tar Heels looked impressive against Delaware, but then again, so have quite a few teams, as Delaware has lost three times this season. The Heels may have an impending quarterback controversy, however, as quarterback Marquise Williams was benched in favor of Mitch Trubisky, who had the hot hand against the Blue Hens.
7. (rv) Miami (3-0, 0-0 ACC)
The bye week giveth and the bye week taketh away. With no opportunity to play this weekend, the Hurricanes lost ground in what is a crowded Coastal Division. The Canes have a road matchup against the Bearcats in Cincinnati Thursday before they get nine days rest to prepare for their matchup against the Seminoles Oct. 10.
8. Syracuse (3-1, 1-0 ACC)
While the Orange didn’t win this weekend, it did prove that it can at least compete with top competition, hanging with the LSU Tigers before falling 34-24. The Orange has a bye week to get freshman quarterback Erik Dungey healthy before it’s matchup with South Florida Oct. 10.
9. Boston College (3-1, 0-1 ACC)
The Eagles’ defense has been nearly impossible to score on. Through four games, the Eagles have only surrendered an average of 7.8 points per game, which is seventh best in the nation. Their offense against FBS schools, however, has struggled mightily, only scoring an average of 8.5 points per game.
10. Pittsburgh (2-1, 0-0 ACC)
The bye week could go two ways: the Panthers view their 27-24 loss against Iowa as competitive with elite competition, or they view it as a game that they should have won and might leave them distracted. We’re leaning toward the latter.
11. Virginia Tech (2-2, 0-0 ACC)
The Hokies have yet to show the progress that was promised to most of us. While we can’t fault them for quarterback Michael Brewer being out with a broken collarbone, we can fault them losing to East Carolina, again, and struggling against a mobile quarterback.
12. Louisville (1-3, 0-1 ACC)
The Cards thoroughly dispatched the Samford Bulldogs this past weekend, 45-3, to get their first win of the year. Despite the dominating win, the Cards will have a tough three-week stretch facing NC State, Florida State and Boston College in three straight games, including two straight road contests against teams that have top-10 scoring defenses.
13. Wake Forest (2-2, 0-1 ACC)
Despite being down 31-10 at one point to the Indiana Hoosiers, the Deacs made a comeback but failed to seal the deal and lost the game 31-24. The road ahead will not be any easier, as the Seminoles are up next.
14. Virginia (1-3, 0-0 ACC)
After playing competitively with UCLA and Notre Dame earlier this year, the Cavs got stomped at home and lost 56-14 against the Boise State Broncos. The Cavs have two whole weeks to prepare for their ACC opener with Pittsburgh Oct. 10.