Streaking the Lawn’s Week 3 ACC Football Power Rankings

Not much movement as it appears the teams are falling into their respective tiers. A showdown between Wake and Clemson this weekend could shake things up next week though.

1. Clemson Tigers (3-0, 1-0)
Last week: win 48-20 vs. Louisiana Tech. This week: at Wake

The Tigers have walked through the easiest part of their schedule but now face the toughest with Wake and NC State in back to back weeks. If they can come out unscathed the Atlantic Division is seemingly theirs (again).

2. NC State Wolfpack (3-0, 0-0)
Last week: win 27-14 vs. Texas Tech. This week: vs. UConn

A nice, easy tune up game before the Atlantic showdown next weekend with Clemson is just what State needs. They served some notice last week with a home win and never trailing against Texas Tech.

3. Pittsburgh Panthers (2-1, 0-0)
Last week: win 34-13 at Western Michigan. This week: vs. Rhode Island

Credit to the Panthers for erasing the previous week’s loss to Tennessee and handling Western Michigan on the road. Pitt should be favored in the rest of their games until they travel to Miami at the end of the year. That game could also be a de facto Coastal Division Championship game.

4. Miami Hurricanes (2-1, 0-0)
Last week: loss 17-9 at Texas A&M. This week: vs. Middle Tennessee

The U isn’t quite back, but on paper they handled the Aggies. They outpaced A&M in total yards 392 to 264, owned the time of possession 34 minutes to 25 minutes, and nearly doubled their first downs 27 to 16. Alas, a special teams fumble set up the first A&M TD which proved to be the difference maker.

5. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (3-0, 0-0)
Last week: win 37-36 vs. Liberty. This week: vs. Clemson

It wasn’t pretty, but any win over a Liberty team is a good win. Now the Deacs get to turn their attention to the big bad of the ACC. The key to the game will surely be how Clemson’s porous offensive line handles Wake’s defense and protects DJ U.

6. Florida State Seminoles (3-0, 1-0)
Last week: win 35-31 at Louisville. This week: vs. BC

The Noles were able to score with just under 8 minutes left in the game to take the lead and hold off the Cardinals the rest of the way. FSU won’t be considered a top team in the country this year, but they could be frisky. They get one more warm up game this week before taking on Wake, NC State, and Clemson in three straight weeks after.

7 (tie). North Carolina Tar Heels (3-0, 0-0)
Last week: win 35-28 at Georgia State. This week: vs. Notre Dame

Back to back weeks of heartburn against Sun Belt opponents isn’t what any UNC fan wanted, but their defense showed up down the stretch forcing Georgia State to three and outs on their final three possessions to win the game. The Irish aren’t great, but any ACC win over Notre Dame is a feather in the cap.

7 (tie). Syracuse Orange (3-0, 1-0)
Last week: win 32-29 vs. Purdue. This week: vs. UVA

Cuse didn’t look particularly overwhelming against Purdue last weekend, but a win is a win. Now they get to turn their attention to more ACC play when UVA comes to town. The Orange have the 44th ranked defense according to SP+, so it will be interesting to see if UVA’s offense can click this week.

9. Louisville Cardinals (1-2, 0-2).
Last week: loss 35-31 vs. FSU. This week: vs. USF

The season has started off as many expected (thought most would have probably thought 0-3), but this weekend should be a bright spot for the Cardinals as they’re 14.5 point favorites against USF.

10. Duke Blue Devils (3-0, 0-0)
Last week: win 49-20 vs. NC A&T. This week: at Kansas

I for one welcome our new football overlords in 3-0 Duke and 3-0 Kansas.

11 (tie). Virginia Cavaliers (2-1, 0-0)
Last week: win 16-14 vs. ODU. This week: at Syracuse

The score obviously doesn’t tell the entire story as UVA dominated in most of the offensive categories last weekend. If Coach Elliott wants to inspire the fanbase a win on the road this weekend will go a long way.

11 (tie). Virginia Tech Hokies (2-1, 1-0)
Last week: win 27-7 vs. Wofford. This week: vs. WVU

After that rough first weekend against Old Dominion the Hokies have somewhat righted the ship with back to back dominant performances (against BC and Wofford). Thursday night against West Virginia on national TV is a different animal though.

13. Boston College Eagles (1-2, 0-1)
Last week: win 38-17 vs. Maine. This week: at FSU

Unless the BC team that lost to Rutgers in week one goes away, it is tough to see this team pulling out many more victories other than a game against UConn in late October.

14. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (1-2, 0-1)
Last week: loss 42-0 vs. Ole Miss. This week: at UCF

Geoff Collins is about to get a big bag to do even less than he is currently doing. Good for his agent.