STL’s Week 9 ACC Football Power Rankings

8 weeks down. Clemson has now held down the top spot for every power rankings. Meanwhile, on the other end, we’ve only had two teams in the bottom spot. In actuality, Boston College appears to be the greatest team on the planet. Who knew?

Here’s how the rankings turned out this week:

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

Last game: BYE. This week: vs. Georgia Tech
The Tigers got a bye week to prepare for the triple option and lick their wounds from dropping their first game two weeks ago at Syracuse. It’ll also be interesting to see if Kelly Bryant is behind center. All reports are that he has been cleared. I think all Clemson fans are praying he’s back there too.

2. Miami-Florida Hurricanes (6-0, 4-0). Last week: 2

Last game: win 27-19 vs. Syracuse. This week: at UNC
The Hurricanes keep squeaking by. A 4 point win against FSU, 1 point win over Georgia Tech, and now an 8 point W against Syracuse. In the end, it doesn’t really matter how many points they win by, but they aren’t inspiring a lot of confidence.

3. Virginia Tech Hokies (6-1, 2-1). Last week: 3

Last game: win 59-7 vs. UNC. This week: vs. Duke
Whatever, they have one loss in the ACC too.

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 State. We’re taking notice. Bradley Chubb and Ryan Finley are prettay prettay prettay good and if South Carolina didn’t have Deebo Samuel, NC State would probably be undefeated right now. Win this week and next week’s game against Clemson is wooooooo boy.

5. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (4-2, 3-1). Last week: 5

Last game: win 38-24 vs. Wake. This week: at Clemson
The Yellow Jackets have to play back to back opponents coming their byes. I really can’t blame Paul Johnson for being crotchety. The ACC seems to be doing their best to keep him down. Not to mention, giving Clemson the most time to prepare for the triple option.

6. Louisville Cardinals (5-3, 2-3). Last week: 7

Last game: win 31-28 at FSU. This week: at Wake.
Back to back road games and in a look ahead spot with UVa on deck next week? Lamar Jackson can only do so much.

7. Florida State Seminoles (2-4, 2-3). Last week: 6

Last game: loss 31-28 vs. Louisville. This week: at BC
2 wins. 5 games left. 97 straight bowl games. Luckily, Jimbo Fisher’s buyout is probably the entire GDP of Florida.

8. Boston College Eagles (4-4, 2-3). Last week: 12

Last game: win 41-10 at UVa. This week: vs. FSU
‘01 Miami probably has nothing on this Boston College team. Probably the greatest team of all time the last two weeks. Don’t try and tell me otherwise; only way the Hoos lose like that.

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

Last game: loss 27-19 at Miami. This week: BYE
4 games to get 2 more wins. FSU, Wake, Louisville, and BC remain. There are chances for two more wins, but they could be tough. Syracuse has looked good of late though.

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

Last game: loss 41-10 vs. BC. This week: at Pitt
Whatever. Football is still dumb. Basketball is almost here.

11. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (4-3, 1-3). Last week: 10

Last game: loss 38-24 at GT. This week: vs. Louisville.
Louisville’s defense might be the cure for the common offense, but Lamar Jackson makes any defense look silly. If Wake can somehow contain Jackson, they’ll stand a good chance at an upset this week.

12. Pittsburgh Panthers (3-5, 1-3). Last week: 13

Last game: win 24-17 at Duke. This week: vs. UVa
Pitt’s Darrin Hall rushed for 254 yards and 3 TDs last weekend against the Blue Devils. Duke was supposed to have a good run defense. UVa on the other hand, hasn’t been great. Prepare yourself.

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

Last game: loss 24-17 vs. Pitt. This week: at VT
4 straight W’s to open the season followed up by 4 straight L’s. Doesn’t get easier this week in Blacksburg either. The Blue Devils to get Army in a few weeks, but can they beat Wake or Georgia Tech to get bowl eligible? Hell, can they beat Army?

14. North Carolina Tar Heels (1-7, 0-5). Last week: 14

Last game: loss 59-7 at VT. This week: vs. Miami
UVa must have taken it all out of Carolina. Only way VT was able to beat the Tar Heels worse than the Hoos were able.