Streaking the Lawn’s Week 9 ACC Football Power Rankings

Another week down. Another week closer to basketball season. Another week closer to no more football. With UVa football’s triumphant return over the last two weeks, I will welcome our roundball overlords.

Here’s how the staff at STL thinks the conference shakes up after 9 weeks.

1. Clemson Tigers (7-1, 5-1). Last week: 1

Last game: win 24-10 vs. GT. This week: at NC State.
The Tigers were able to take care of business against the triple option; in a monsoon. Clemson will likely face their last difficult opponent this week before Miami or Virginia Tech in the Championship Game. Clemson doesn’t like Raleigh all that much.

2. Miami-Florida Hurricanes (7-0, 5-0). Last week: 2

Last game: win 24-19 at UNC. This week: vs. VT
The showdown for the Coastal Division is upon us. Miami almost suffered a look ahead loss last week against the Tar Heels, but eeked out a W. A win this week could vault the Canes to a fringe playoff team.

3. Virginia Tech Hokies (7-1, 3-1). Last week: 3

Last game: win 24-3 vs. Duke. This week: at Miami
Since losing to Clemson three games ago the Hokies have outscored their opponents 107-20. BC, Duke, and UNC might not be the best teams in the country (BC actually is), but I have seen another team not perform well against all three of those teams.

4. N.C. State Wolfpack (6-2, 4-0). Last week: 4

Last game: loss 35-14 at ND. This week: vs. Clemson
We gave the Wolfpack a chance to show us how great they were and make Brian Kelly’s head explode. Losing Nyheim Hines and having Ryan Finley throw his first pick of the season made that W nearly impossible. They’ll get their chance to all but lock up the Atlantic Division this weekend against Clemson.

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

Last game: loss 24-10 at Clemson. This week: at UVa
GT isn’t eliminated from the Coastal Division, but will need Miami to lose all of their remaining ACC games. Meanwhile, the Yellow Jackets would have to run through UVa, VT, and Duke. Hell, if GT stumbles against UVa this weekend, getting to a bowl game could be tough.

6. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (5-3, 2-3). Last week: 11

Last game: win 42-32 vs. Louisville. This week: at Notre Dame
Clawson has the Deacs a win away from bowl eligibility and looking really good after taking down Lamar Jackson. Losing Greg Dortch though could be a massive blow. The RS Freshman WR has 9 TDs and leads Wake with 722 receiving yards.

7. Boston College Eagles (5-4, 3-3). Last week: 8

Last game: win 35-3 vs. FSU. This week: BYE
Notre Dame and Clemson go to bed at night thanking Jesus they already played BC. Something clicked when they played Louisville because they’ve become the greatest team to play football.

8. Louisville Cardinals (5-4, 2-4). Last week: 6

Last game: loss 42-32 at Wake. This week: BYE
Lamar Jackson gets a bye week this week before taking on the Hoos next weekend. As long as Jackson stays healthy the Cardinals will be in games. I’m not entirely convinced there are 10 other guys on offense.

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

Last game: BYE. This week: at FSU
Four games left to get two more victories. Normally we’d think Cuse would have no chance in Tallahassee, but I have no idea if FSU could beat Western Albemarle right now. The Orange will also have Wake, Louisville and BC, and we know they’re not beating BC.

10(tie). Florida State Seminoles (2-5, 2-4). Last week: 7

Last game: loss 35-3 at BC. This week: vs. Syracuse
FSU came in to 2017 ranked in the Top 5 in the country. Now they’re 7th......in the Atlantic Division. Losing a QB is huge, but no way it should torpedo a program’s season like FSU.

10(tie). Pittsburgh Panthers (4-5, 2-3). Last week: 12

Last game: win 31-14 vs. UVa. This week: vs. UNC
Need to fix your team? Hope your team has UVa left on the schedule. Pitt is still two wins away from a bowl, but has Miami and Virginia Tech left on the schedule. An upset of at least one will be necessary for the Panthers to play in December.

12. Virginia Cavaliers (5-3, 2-2). Last week: 10

Last game: loss 31-14 at Pitt. This week: vs. GT
At one point Virginia was 5-1, and we were all thinking 7 wins was a virtual certainty. Now? 6 wins will be an upset.

13. Duke Blue Devils (4-5, 1-5). Last week: 13

Last game: loss 24-3 at VT. This week: at Army
It’s ok, basketball season is pretty much here.

14. North Carolina Tar Heels (1-8, 0-6). Last week: 14

Last game: loss 24-19 vs. Miami. This week: BYE
See the Duke blurb.