Streaking the Lawn’s Week 8 ACC Football Power Rankings

Just as we all expected: Georgia Tech would not go winless in ACC play. To make matters better, UVa lost to that team GT beat just last week! Football! UVa sports! Woo!

Here’s the rankings:

1. Clemson Tigers (7-0, 5-0). Last week: 1
Last game: win 45-10 at Louisville. This week: vs. BC

The Tigers keep winning and falling in the polls. I’m not one to support not rewarding a reigning national champion for going undefeated, but I am all for it here. Jesus Dabo would say some not so Jesus things.

2. Virginia Cavaliers (5-2, 3-1). Last week: 2
Last game: win 48-14 vs. Duke. This week: at Louisville

The Hoos benefited greatly and took advantage of all 14 turnovers Duke committed. A road trip to Louisville for a game in the rain might force the Cavaliers to figure out a run game or suffer their second ACC loss.

3. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (6-1, 2-1). Last week: 3
Last game: win 22-20 vs. FSU. This week: BYE

Deacs got back on the win train after losing their shootout to Louisville two weeks ago. If they can handle NC State and Virginia Tech over the next two games they’ll take on Clemson in the biggest ACC game of the season.

4. Pittsburgh Panthers (5-2, 2-1). Last week: 8
Last game: win 27-20 at Syracuse. This week: vs. Miami

UVa is likely to drop another ACC game so if Pitt can keep up with the Hoos they’ll take the Coastal. Who knows which Miami team shows up in Pittsburgh.

5. Duke Blue Devils (4-3, 2-2). Last week: 5
Last game: loss 48-14 at UVa. This week: at UNC

Duke entered their game last week against UVa with aspirations of winning the Coastal. They still could but that road got much longer and a trip down the road to play UNC won’t be easy.

6. Virginia Tech Hokies (5-2, 2-2). Last week: 11
Last game: win 43-41 vs. UNC. This week: BYE

The Hokies turned off the heat on Fuente’s seat but that heat could get jacked back up really quick next week. The Hokies end the season against Notre Dame, Wake, GT, Pitt, and UVa. The Commonwealth Cup could be the Hokies’ last chance to get their 7th win and make another bowl.

7. North Carolina Tar Heels (3-4, 2-2). Last week: 7
Last game: loss 43-41 at VT. This week: vs. Duke.

The Heels are 3-4 and their biggest loss was a 6 point loss at Wake Forest back in September. Combined, the Heels are only 12 points away from being 7-0. With Mercer and NC State still on the schedule, they’ll need to knock off one of Duke, UVa, and Pitt to go bowling. Not impossible.

8. Florida State Seminoles (3-4, 2-3). Last week: 9
Last game: loss 22-20 at Wake. This week: vs. Syracuse

It’s hard to think about FSU in the state they’re in. There’s a not 0% chance that Willie Taggart is fired after this season and the Noles fail to make a bowl game.

9. Louisville Cardinals (4-3, 2-2). Last week: 6
Last game: loss 45-10 vs. Clemson. This week: vs. UVa

The Cardinals have given up an average of 47 points a game over their last three games. Odds are UVa won’t score that many, but they likely won’t allow Louisville to score the 45 points they’ve averaged in their four wins this season. Either way Scott Satterfield has worked a miracle.

10. Miami-Florida Hurricanes (3-4, 1-3). Last week: 4
Last game: loss 28-21 vs. GT. This week: at Pitt

Dead last in the Coastal. That’s where Miami currently resides in the standings. Can’t imagine that’s what Manny Diaz was brought in to accomplish. With how impressive the Canes have looked so far this season, there aren’t any gimme wins left on the schedule either, let alone 3 to make a bowl.

11. Boston College Eagles (4-3, 2-2). Last week: 13
Last game: win 45-24 vs. NC State. This week: at Clemson

We’ll never forget BC got blown out by Kansas earlier this season but they’re only 5 points away from being undefeated in ACC play. Their defense is extremely suspect so they’ll likely give up 40+ to Clemson and lose by 30 this weekend.

12. N.C. State Wolfpack (4-3, 1-2). Last week: 10
Last game: loss 45-24 at BC. This week: BYE

The Wolfpack will likely lose to Wake and Clemson over their next two games, so they’ll have to take two of three from Louisville, Georgia Tech, and UNC. Either way, Doeren probably will need an 8-4 or 9-3 season in 2020 to keep his job.

13. Syracuse Orange (3-4, 0-3). Last week: 12
Last game: loss 27-20 vs. Pitt. This week: at FSU.

Cuse has struggled against FBS teams this season losing all four of their matchups. They don’t have any more FCS teams on the schedule and they don’t get to play GT. Replacing his QB appears harder for Dino Babers than anticipated.

14. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (,). Last week: 14
Last game: WIN! 28-21 at Miami. This week: BYE

Beating the Citadel: easy for VMI, not easy for Georgia Tech. Probably was a fireable offense for Geoff Collins.