Week 3 ACC Football Power Rankings

We’ve finally reached the point where all the teams are playing games. Irma is finally out of reach, so FSU and Miami are going to take the field again! That is until Maria comes through next week and slams us again. Until then, we wait, we watch football, and we rank the ACC teams.

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

Last game: 47-21 Win at Louisville. Next game: vs BC
I’m not sure there is a team in the conference that can beat Clemson. Much of the media is starting to pencil the Tigers into the Playoffs yet again, and I can’t blame them. BC (likely) won’t give them a game, but maybe Tech can in prime time next week.

2. Florida State Seminoles (0-1, 0-0). Last week: 2

Last game: postponed vs. Miami. Next game: at NC State
We’re running out of things to say about FSU. The Noles haven’t played since their week 1 showdown against Alabama and nobody knows how they are going to respond to 2 straight weeks off and a brand new QB.

3. Miami-Florida Hurricanes (1-0, 0-0). Last week: 4

Last game: postponed vs. FSU. Next game: v. Toledo
See above about FSU. Apply that to Miami as well. I think Miami is pretty good, but nobody has really any idea.

4. Virginia Tech Hokies (3-0, 0-0). Last week: 5

Last game: 64-17 win vs. ECU. Next game: vs. ODU
Outside of their game against WVU, the Hokies’ OOC schedule has been VERY unimpressive. ODU is 2-1, but got smoked by UNC this past weekend. Tech should be significantly better than UNC. They’ll be 4-0 heading into the showdown with Clemson.

5. Louisville Cardinals (2-1, 1-1). Last week: 3

Last game: 21-47 loss vs. Clemson. Next game: vs. Kent State
Lamar Jackson didn’t have a bad night against Clemson. The reigning Heisman winner threw for 317 yards and 3 TDs, while rushing for 64 yards. Yes, he threw a pick 6, but Louisville’s defense wasn’t up to the task against the Tigers.

6. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (1-1, 0-0). Last week: 6

Last game: canceled at UCF. Next game: vs. Pitt
The Yellow Jackets are getting a lot of credit for losing to Tennessee in overtime. Yes, Tennessee is in the SEC, but are they really that good? Miami, Clemson, and Virginia Tech are on the horizon, so if GT is as good as we think, they’ll put up fights in those games.

7. Duke Blue Devils (3-0, 0-0). Last week: 7

Last game: 34-20 win vs. Baylor. Next game: at UNC
Duke could be good. They also might have gotten lucky with Northwestern and Baylor in severe rebuilding years. UNC could give us a better understanding of the Blue Devils, but next weekend’s game against Miami is a chance to make a big statement.

8. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (3-0, 1-0). Last week: 8

Last game: 46-10 win vs. Utah State. This week: at App St
Wake is winning the ACC Atlantic division. Read that again and ask yourself what you are doing with your life.

9. N.C. State Wolfpack (2-1, 0-0). Last week: 9

Last game: 49-16 win vs. Furman. This week: at FSU
That loss to South Carolina sure looks good now! If the Noles can dominate State this weekend we can finally put to bed the “is NC State actually good?” questions.

10. North Carolina Tar Heels (1-2, 0-1). Last week: 10

Last game: 53-23 win at ODU. This week: vs. Duke
How far does UNC need to fall before Fedora lands on the hot seat? This was supposed to be a rebuilding year for the Heels, but a loss to Duke would put them at 1-3 with Virginia Tech and Miami still on the schedule.

11. Syracuse Orange (2-1, 0-0). Last week: 12

Last game: 41-17 win vs. Central Michigan. This week: at LSU
Even with LSU looking horriawful last week against Miss St, Vegas still has them favored by 23.5 points. As UVa fans, I think we can all let our Cuse friends know that going 2-2 in out of conference play is ok! Basketball season is on the horizon.

12. Pittsburgh Panthers (1-2, 0-0). Last week: 11

Last game: 21-59 loss vs. Oklahoma State. This week: at GT
Man, talk about two completely different games. Pitt is going to have to gameplan against the air raid crazy offense of Oklahoma State last week, and now have get ready for the triple option. Woof.

13. Virginia Cavaliers (2-1, 0-0). Last week: 13

Last game: 38-18 win vs. UConn. This week: at Boise State
I just want to say how proud I am of our staff that we have enough non-homers to not overreact to a win against UConn. I fully expected UVa to come in at 10 or 11 this week.

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

Last game: 20-49 loss vs. Notre Dame. This week:
BC only trailed 14-10 at half. We were so close to getting to see a complete meltdown of the American retirement community that is the Notre Dame fanbase. So so close. This week BC will get to play at Clemson. So, they’ll be at 14 next week no matter how bad UVa loses at Boise.