Streaking the Lawn’s Week 1 ACC Football Power Rankings

Let the hype train begin. 1-0 in conference, 1-0 on the road, 1-0 in our hearts, and 1-0 in Charlotte in the last 12 months. Tigers better watch themselves.

In other news around the conference, LOLTech, FSU what, Cuse beats a coach in a hospital bed.

Let’s go to the rankings.

1. Clemson Tigers (1-0, 1-0). Last week: 1

Last game: win vs. GT, 52-14. This week: vs. Texas A&M

One day the Tigers will not be No. 1 in the Power Rankings. It isn’t this week. It probably won’t be this year. It might be 2025 or so before they stop ruining college football. We eagerly await that time.

2. Miami-Florida Hurricanes (0-1, 0-0). Last week: (tie)2

Last week: BYE. This week: at UNC.

The Canes got a bye week to get right after the ugliest game we’ve ever hate watched just because it was football. They’re only four point favorites this weekend in Chapel Hill which seems incorrect. Miami probably isn’t as bad as they looked against Florida, but it appears they aren’t going to get the benefit of the doubt.

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

Last week: win at Pitt, 30-14. This week: vs. William & Mary

I want to believe. I really do. But sports always do nothing but hurt me. Please don’t hurt me, UVa football.

4. Syracuse Orange (1-0, 0-0). Last week: (tie)2

Last week: win at Liberty, 24-0. This week: at Maryland.

Syracuse kicks off their ACC play this week when they travel to College Park, and you can’t tell me otherwise. Dino and Co. will look to go 2-0 before setting up the ACC Atlantic Championship Game next week when Clemson goes to the Carrier Dome.

5. N.C. State Wolfpack (1-0, 0-0). Last week: 7

Last week: win vs. ECU, 34-6. This week: vs. Western Carolina.

The Wolfpack are going to start off the season 4-0. They’ll play at West Virginia next week and host Ball State in two weeks; neither of which should pose much threat. Most are discounting State for some reason, so staying undefeated might give the public and media more confidence in the Wolfpack.

6. Boston College Eagles (1-0, 1-0). Last week: 9

Last week: win vs. VT, 35-28. This week: vs. Richmond

Bunch. Of. Dudes. I am not sure the Eagles are all that good, but for one Saturday last weekend, they were heroes to all of us.

7. Florida State Seminoles (0-1, 0-0). Last week: 4

Last week: loss vs. Boise State, 36-31. This week: vs. Louisiana-Monroe.

That first half was great as the Noles jumped all over the Broncos leading 21-6 at the end of the first quarter and 31-19 at the end of the half. Then the second half came and the wheels fell off. Looks like the Noles might not have fixed the line issues that plagued them last year.

8. North Carolina Tar Heels (1-0, 0-0). Last week: 12

Last week: win vs. South Carolina, 24-20. This week: vs. Miami.

Mack Brown the miracle worker. Most probably expected the Heels to start the season 0-5 or 1-4, but that win alone against the Gamecocks should do wonders for the confidence in the program. With Miami this week, the Heels have a chance to serve notice that Larry Fedora was actually a terrible coach but there is plenty of talent in Chapel Hill.

9. Pittsburgh Panthers (0-1, 0-1). Last week: 8

Last week: loss vs. UVa, 30-14. This week: vs. Ohio University.

Kenny Pickett and the offense probably are better than they looked in the second half of their game against the Hoos. They’ll need to get a W this week against the Bobcats because Penn State and UCF lurk in the following two weeks. An 0-4 start is not what Pat Narduzzi needs.

10. Virginia Tech Hokies (0-1, 0-1). Last week: 6

Last week: loss at BC, 35-28. This week: vs. ODU

Loss to BC last week and playing ODU this week?

11. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (1-0, 0-0). Last week: 10

Last week: win vs. Utah State, 38-35. This week: at Rice.

A loss to Utah State would not have been the end of the season, but Wake pulled off an absolute miracle scoring with a minute left. Wake’s QB, Jamie Newman was an absolute stud passing for 401 yards and 3 TDs, while also rushing for 36 yards and another TD.

12. Duke Blue Devils (0-1, 0-0). Last week: 11

Last week: loss vs. Alabama, 42-3. This week: vs. North Carolina A&T

Tied 0-0 at the end of the first quarter and only down 14-3 at the end of the half is basically a win. Good job Duke, you hung in there and made us proud.

13. Louisville Cardinals (0-1, 0-0). Last week: 13

Last week: loss vs. Notre Dame, 35-17. This week: vs. Eastern Kentucky

Tied 14-14 at the end of the first quarter it looked like Louisville might be light years ahead of where most thought the Cardinals would be after Petrino walked away from a dumpster fire roster. Three quarters later and the Cardinals had allowed 21 more points and only scored 3. Javian Hawkins rushed for 122 yards on 19 carries and could be a workhorse as the Cardinals strive for a bowl.

14. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (0-1, 0-1). Last week: 14

Last week: loss at Clemson, 52-14. This week: vs. USF

It wasn’t even close to being close, but GT competed with Clemson better than some expected. The Yellow Jackets lost to Charlie Strong’s Bulls last year in Tampa and the Jackets are 6 point favs this week.