Streaking the Lawn’s Week 9 ACC Football POWER RANKINGS

The weeks keep coming and Clemson is still annoyingly at the top. Got a little bit of a shake up in the middle ground, but not enough upsets to anger anyone.

Here is how the STL staff sees the ACC heading into Week 9:

1. Clemson Tigers (7-0, 4-0). Last week: 1
Last week: win 41-7 vs. NC State. This week: at FSU

Yes, Clemson is one of the top two teams in the country. I don’t think there is anyone out there who can deny that. I guess we’re all just enjoying watching the rest of the college football exhibitions until Horseface Hoo Ha Ha sees the Alabama defense in the College Football Playoffs.

2. N.C. State Wolfpack (5-1, 2-1). Last week: 2
Last week: loss 41-7 at Clemson. This week: at Syracuse

Getting vaporized by Clemson isn’t that embarrassing, because most teams will, but we just wanted more out of you Wolfpack. You could have at least given us hope for like a quarter or maybe a half. We’re not mad, just a little disappointed. That’s all.

3. Miami-Florida Hurricanes (5-2, 2-1). Last week: 4
Last week: BYE. This week: at BC

Miami and Mark Richt better have figured things out during the bye because this week they travel to a butt cold Boston to face a team with almost as good of a defense as UVa’s, but a better offense, and a well rested AJ Dillon. Good luck Canes.

4. Virginia Cavaliers (5-2, 3-1). Last week: 7
Last week: win 28-14 at Duke. This week: vs. UNC

Normally I make fun of us for giving the Hoos too much credit for a win. What you’re seeing now is the opposite. We’re terrified the fall is coming. Hell, even Gobbler Country has UVa higher in their Power Rankings. We know, as UVa fans, we can’t have nice things. You probably know that too.

5. Boston College Eagles (5-2, 2-1). Last week: 3
Last week: BYE. This week: vs. Miami

The prodigal son is expected to return this week and I fully expect BC to give the ball 25+ times. Rough three week stretch for BC though: vs. Miami, at VT, vs. Clemson. Though if they run the table, we could see a UVa-BC ACC Championship Game. THINK OF THE RATINGS!

6. Virginia Tech Hokies (4-2, 3-0). Last week: 6
Last week: BYE. This week: vs. GT

Having the bye week a week before playing Georgia Tech is always nice. If this was anywhere near a normal GT team, I’d say the Jackets should win, but it’s not. Though the Tech defense hasn’t been a calling card this season which could make for a fun Thursday night.

7. Duke Blue Devils (5-2, 1-2). Last week: 5
Last week: loss 28-14 vs. UVa. This week: at Pitt.

Listen, did I think Duke might be REALLY GOOD after they won on the road at Baylor and Northwestern in back to back weeks? Yes. But after watching them play UVa last weekend, I am downgrading Duke to “meh.” Just looked uninspired.

8. Syracuse Orange (5-2, 2-2). Last week: 8
Last week: win 40-37 (2OT) vs. UNC. This week: vs. NC State

A dramatic double OT win against a Yikes-UNC team doesn’t really inspire confidence. A 6th win over a NC State team that is probably licking their wounds could do that though.

9. Pittsburgh Panthers (3-4, 2-1). Last week: 9(tie)
Last week: BYE. This week: vs. Duke

Pittsburgh is 3-4 and sits just a game back in the Coastal standings. That is gross. They’ve only played UNC, GT, and Cuse, so the fall should be coming.

10. Florida State Seminoles (4-3, 2-3). Last week: 11
Last week: win 38-17 vs. Wake. This week: vs. Clemson

I swear I will not say another mean thing about the ‘Noles the rest of the season if they can pull off the upset this weekend. It will bring us all joy and happiness. Do it for the people, FSU. THE PEOPLE.

11. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (3-4, 1-3). Last week: 9 (tie)
Last week: Bye. This week: at VT

The Yellow Jackets sit at 3-4 with three of their remaining four ACC games against teams ahead of them in the Coastal standings and a game against UGA in Athens. It appears the Paul Johnson experiment is going to be over. Our lives are not going to be as entertaining.

12. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (3-4, 0-3). Last week: 12
Last week: loss 38-17 at FSU. This week: at Louisville

Wake is coming off back to back bowl games, so Dave Clawson’s job probably is not in jeopardy, but man have things gotten ugly in a hurry in Winston Salem. They aren’t even favored this weekend against Louisville and likely won’t be favored the rest of the season, except for maybe a home game against Pitt in mid November.

13. North Carolina Tar Heels (1-5, 1-3). Last week: 13
Last week: loss 40-37 (2OT) at Cuse. This week: at UVa

Back to back soul crushing losses for UNC can’t be good for psyches. If you want, ya’ll can just take a knee and give UVa the W. For everyone involved, I think that would be best. I don’t want to deal with a tight game or a loss to this UNC team.

14. Louisville Cardinals (2-5, 0-4). Last week: 14
Last week: BYE. This week: vs. Wake

At this point I assume the athletic department is just trying to play with their money to see if it is remotely possible for them to buyout Petrino, pay off Pitino, buy out Jeff Brohm’s Purdue contract, and pay Brohm some money. There is not way all that is possible either.