StreakingtheLawn’s Week 7 ACC Football Power Poll

Seven weeks of college football have come and gone. We’ve had surprises, failures, and everything in between. And somehow Miami is the only team left in the ACC undefeated. Here’s how the staff has the ACC ranked:

1. Clemson Tigers (6-1, 4-1). Last week: 1

Last game: Loss 27-24 at Syracuse. This week: BYE
The Tigers were favored by 23.5 points. The amazing Clemson defense allowed 440 yards. Eric Dungey passed for 278. I still can’t grasp it. Luckily for Clemson, they have experience with an ACC loss and still making the Playoff. They’ll be fine.

2. Miami-Florida Hurricanes (5-0, 3-0). Last week: 2

Last game: Win 25-24 vs. GT. This week: vs. Syracuse
It took all of Miami and a couple of miracles to overcome Georgia Tech in a monsoon last weekend. Nobody is ready to declare Miami “back” given they haven’t played many tough opponents yet, but a three week stretch of Virginia Tech, Notre Dame, and Virginia (all at home somehow) in November will be the difference between Miami winning the Coastal or still never winning the Coastal.

3. Virginia Tech Hokies (5-1, 1-1). Last week: 3

Last game: BYE. This week: vs. UNC
The season of suck it continues.

4. N.C. State Wolfpack (6-1, 4-0). Last week: 4

Last game: Win 35-17 at Pitt. This week: at Notre Dame
Alright, I promise. If State goes to South Bend and wins on the road this weekend I will officially consider them a good team. You just don’t open the season with a loss to South Carolina if you’re a good team.

5. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (3-2, 2-1). Last week: 5

Last game: Loss 25-24 at Miami. This week: vs. Wake
With 8 seconds left, Georgia Tech had a 99.9% win probability. And then with 0 seconds left they had none. As a fellow fan of Atlanta sports teams, I know they know that feeling quite well. Problem is, the schedule gets even harder now with Clemson, UVa, VT, and UGA all still looming.

6. Florida State Seminoles (2-3, 2-2). Last week: 7

Last game: Win 17-10 vs. Duke. This week: vs. Louisville
I’m not sure if FSU is severely underachieving or they’re just not that good. We know they have a backup QB in, but with all the talent around him you’d think they’d still be able to beat teams like Wake and Duke by more than 7.

7. Louisville Cardinals (4-3, 1-3). Last week: 6

Last game: Loss 45-42 vs. BC. This week: at FSU
How does a team give up 45 points to BC? BC had not scored more than 20 against an FBS opponent all season. They had not scored more than 10 against an ACC team. Poor Lamar Jackson. Just wait til next year when you get to be behind center for the Cleveland Browns!

8. Virginia Cavaliers (5-1, 2-0). Last week: 8

Last game: Win 20-14 at UNC. This week: vs. BC
If we ignore it, we can’t jinx it. Just watch in amazement.

9. Syracuse Orange (4-3, 2-1). Last week: 11

Last game: Win 27-24 vs. Clemson. This week: at Miami
Cuse has a legit push for a bowl berth after knocking off Clemson. It’ll be tough to get to 7 wins, but at Miami, at FSU, vs. Wake, at Louisville, and vs. BC to finish the season, but could give the Orange the 2 Ws they need.

10. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (4-2, 1-2). Last week: 9

Last game: BYE. This week: at Georgia Tech
Like Syracuse, Wake is at 4 wins and could be on the verge of a bowl berth for 2017. Also like Syracuse, they’ll have some tough matchups down the stretch to get to 6. Luckily they had their bye heading into Georgia Tech and the Yellow Jackets are already feeling down on themselves.

11. Duke Blue Devils (4-3, 1-3). Last week: 10

Last game: Loss 17-10 vs. Duke. This week: vs. Pitt
After dropping three in a row, Duke will get to host Pitt in a game they should easily win. The Blue Devils still have Army on their schedule, so 6 wins should be easy to come by, but it’ll still be disappointing after a 4-0 start to the season.

12. Boston College Eagles (3-4, 1-3). Last week: 14

Last game: Win 45-42 at Louisville. This week: at UVa
He killed a man. That kid took his helmet off and quit football because of this play.

13. Pittsburgh Panthers (2-5, 0-3). Last week: 12

Last game: Loss 35-17 vs. NC State. This week: at Duke
I for one am hoping the Panthers can pull off the road victory this weekend. I want them to be feeling really good about themselves going into next weekend’s game against Virginia. Go Pitt!

14. North Carolina Tar Heels (1-6, 0-4). Last week: 13

Last game: Loss 20-14 vs. UVa. This week: at VT
No, you can’t sim to basketball season. No, the NCAA won’t vacate losses. Yes, it was a facemask.