Virginia Football

Week 5 ACC Football Power Rankings

By Will C@STLUVaBaseball Oct 5, 2017, 10:42am EDT

Heading into October and hoooooo boy the plucky Virginia Cavaliers haven’t been eliminated from a bowl yet! Clemson is looking like they’ll be in the College Football Playoff (again). And BC is still playing football (allegedly).

Let’s take a look at how the Streaking the Lawn staff ranks the ACC after 5 weeks of play.

1. Clemson Tigers (5-0, 3-0) Last week: 1

Last game: Win, 31-17 at Virginia Tech. This week: vs. Wake Forest
Well, I think that will just about do it. The Tigers have one semi-challenging game left on their schedule with a road game at NC State in a few weeks. Other than that, they’ll likely coast the ACC Title Game before getting to take on America’s Team, the Cavaliers.

2. Miami-Florida Hurricanes (3-0, 1-0). Last week: 3

Last game: Win, 31-6 at Duke. This week: at FSU
The Canes passed their first test with flying colors on their way to proving to all of us that they are “back.” If they are as good as they showed last week against Duke against Florida State, they’ll be 4-0. They’re on a collision course with Virginia Tech for the Coastal Division.

3. Louisville Cardinals (4-1, 1-1). Last week: 4

Last game: Win, 55-10 vs. Murray State. This week: at NC State
If the Cardinals can get past State this weekend, there really is no reason to think they couldn’t run the table and finish the season 11-1. Would that be enough to win Lamar Jackson another Heisman?

4. Virginia Tech Hokies (4-1, 0-1). Last week: 2

Last game: Loss, 31-17 vs. Clemson. This week: at BC

5. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (3-1, 2-0). Last week: 8

Last game: Win, 33-7 vs. UNC. This week: BYE
GT is probably one bad turnover against a trash Tennessee team from being 4-0 and a fringe Top 15 team. They also might have the hardest schedule in the country the rest of the way with games against Miami, Clemson, Virginia Tech, and Georgia. The King of the Triple Option is going to earn his paycheck this year.

6. N.C. State Wolfpack (4-1, 2-0). Last week: 7

Last game: Win, 33-25 vs. Syracuse. This week: vs. Louisville
I refuse to believe State is any good. Yes, they beat FSU on their first game back, but BC would have given the Noles a game that day. Beating Syracuse by 8 at home? Not great. Beat Louisville this week and we’ll talk about respect.

7. Florida State Seminoles (1-2, 1-1). Last week: 5

Last game: Win, 26-19 at Wake. This week: vs. Miami
The national media was tripping over themselves to get their hot takes out about a possible 0-3 Florida State team while they were losing to Wake this past weekend. The Noles pulled it out, but it still was not impressive. It won’t get easier with Miami, Louisville, and Clemson in the coming weeks.

8. Duke Blue Devils (4-1, 1-1). Last week: 6

Last game: Loss, 31-6 vs. Miami. This week: at Virginia
Duke failed their chance to really make a statement in 2017. Many were starting to recognition of the Blue Devils’ season, but a blowout loss at home to Miami won’t help. Losing this weekend would likely end the Duke hype.

9. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (4-1, 1-1). Last week: 9

Last game: Loss, 26-19 vs. FSU. This week: at Clemson
Nothing on their schedule leading into last weekend was overly impressive, but I refused to acknowledge this was “the same old Wake.” They ended up with the L against FSU, but I still believe they’re not terrible.

10. Virginia Cavaliers (3-1, 0-0). Last week: 10

Last game: BYE. This week: vs. Duke
Mood rn:

11. Syracuse Orange (2-3, 0-1). Last week: 11

Last game: Loss, 33-25 at NC State. This week: vs. Pitt
Man, Pitt vs. Cuse sounds gross. Looking at the Orange’s schedule, it doesnt look like they’ll make a bowl game in 2017. Maybe Dino can live up to the hype in his 3rd year next year.

12. North Carolina Tar Heels (1-4, 0-3). Last week: 12

Last game: Loss, 33-7 at GT. This week: vs. Notre Dame
One more crushing blow and the Heels might give up on the season. Let’s hope Notre Dame can do that before the Cavaliers’ trip to Chapel Hill next weekend.

13. Pittsburgh Panthers (2-3, 0-1). Last week: 13

Last game: Win, 42-10 vs. Rice. This week: at Syracuse
Yea, I still don’t want to think about Pittsburgh playing Syracuse this weekend. Pitt also somehow avoids Louisville, FSU (meh), and Clemson this season. The most unfair of unbalanced schedules.

14. Boston College Eagles (2-3, 0-1). Last week: 14

Last game: Win, 28-8 vs. CMU. This week: vs. VT
Clemson, VT, and Louisville over the span of 4 weeks is rough. But BC at least has some dudes on their team, so they got that going for them.