It’s been two weeks now since Clemson has been No. 1 in the most important power rankings this country has to offer. Things are looking bleak in Death Valley.
1. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (8-0, 7-0)
Last game: win 45-31 at BC. This week: BYE
The Irish get a bye week before they gear up for the final three weeks of the regular season and another date with Clemson in Charlotte. Trips to UNC and Wake stand in their way and could prove adequate tests to keep the Irish in game shape.
2. Clemson Tigers (7-1, 6-1)
Last game: loss 47-40 at ND. This week: at FSU
Tigers are 35 point favorites....on the road.....in Tallahassee. This makes sense now, but how far back would you have to go for someone to look at you like you were crazy? Two years? Three years? Imagine telling Jameis Winston loving Nole fans that was the case back when he was around.
3. Miami-Florida Hurricanes (7-1, 6-1)
Last game: win 25-24 at VT. This week: vs. GT postponed
Miami has a COVID breakout in their team forcing them to cancel this week’s game. After winning their last three by a combined 9 points, they could use a break. Credit to them for winning close games, but playing with serious fire.
4. North Carolina Tar Heels (6-2, 6-2)
Last game: win 59-53 vs. Wake. This week: BYE
The Heels came away with the W but were down 14 entering the 4th quarter before getting the offense going and rattling off four straight possessions that ended with touchdowns.
5. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (4-3, 3-3)
Last game: loss 59-53 at UNC. This week: at Duke postponed
I just discovered Wake went for it on 4th and 9 from their own 26 when they were still up 7 on UNC last week. I know UNC is hard to stop on offense, but what the hell?
6. Boston College Eagles (5-4, 4-4)
Last game: loss 45-31 vs ND. This week: BYE
Eagles now have two weeks off before traveling to Charlottesville at the start of December. 2020 is a strange college football season.
7. Virginia Tech Hokies (4-4, 4-3)
Last game: loss 25-24 vs Miami. This week: at Pitt
Pitt, Clemson, and UVA left on the schedule for the Hokies. If Fuente wants to feel good about his job he HAS to go 2-1 the rest of the season. 1-2 even if that win comes against UVA has to lead to some difficult conversations.
8. N.C. State Wolfpack (5-3, 5-3)
Last game: win vs. FSU 38-22. This week: vs. Liberty
I have never wanted an ACC team I don’t really care for to win an out of conference game so bad. Avenge what Syracuse and VT couldn’t do. #NeverLiberty
9. Virginia Cavaliers (3-4, 3-4)
Last game: win 31-17 vs. Louisville. This week: vs. Abilene Christian
It seemed like the season was turning and things were looking up and then the highest recruit of the Mendenhall era decides to transfer out of nowhere. Yay.
10. Pittsburgh Panthers (4-4, 3-4)
Last game: win 41-17 at FSU. This week: vs VT
Panthers had a week off thanks to their postponed game with GT last weekend. They have to be riding high after shellacking the Noles in a get right game.
11. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (2-5, 2-4)
Last game: loss 31-13 vs. ND. This week: at Miami postponed
GT has now had their last two games postponed due to COVID and are now scheduled to play til the Saturday before Christmas. 2020 is wild.
12. Louisville Cardinals (2-6, 1-6)
Last game: loss 31-17 at UVA. This week: vs. Syracuse
The Cardinals only have three games left in this disastrous season, but one is against Syracuse this weekend and the Cardinals are looking good against the even worse Orange! 3-8 feels much better than 2-9.
13. Florida State Seminoles (2-6, 1-6)
Last game: loss 38-22 vs. NC State. This week: vs. Clemson
If Clemson never takes Trevor Lawrence out and calls off the dogs, would they win by 75+? I have to think so.
14. Duke Blue Devils (2-6, 1-6)
Last game: loss 56-24 vs. UNC. This week: vs Wake postponed
Blue Devils will have now had two weeks off to rest. With GT also not playing though, the ACC could quickly re-shuffle their next week’s game to this week. 2020 again.
15. Syracuse Orange (1-7, 1-6)
Last game: loss vs BC 16-14. This week: at Louisville.
This year has been horrible, but does anyone think it will get better next year?