Where Duke and ACC’s Top Teams Stand After Week 9

The ACC standing continue to fluctuate after Week 9. Where do the top teams stand heading into Week 10?

Sep 3, 2021; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils helmet during pregame activities before the start against the Charlotte 49ers at Jerry Richardson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

The ACC continues to go through its twists and turns following another week of action. The Duke Blue Devils were on a bye this week, but there were still plenty of storylines and movement that occurred this past weekend.

Duke needed a few results to improve their chances of qualifying for the ACC Championship game in Charlotte later in December.

Oct 18, 2025; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Manny Diaz looks on during the first half of the game against Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images | Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images

Here is a closer look at how the ACC standings materialized after Week 9, with most top-tier teams in the conference holding serve heading into next week. Let's take a look at where the contenders currently sit in the ACC.

The Yellow Jackets continued their dominant 2025 run with a 41-16 win over the Syracuse Orange. The first 15 minutes was somewhat competitive, but Georgia Tech took over in the second quarter with 17 unanswered points.

Oct 25, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets quarterback Haynes King (10) scrambles against the Syracuse Orange in the second quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Quarterback Haynes King played his game of the season from a passing perspective, completing 25-of-31 passes for 304 yards and three touchdowns. He also added 91 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.

Overall, the Yellow Jackets should feel pretty comfortable about their current status in the ACC. They can be penciled in as one of the teams playing in the ACC Championship.

2. Virginia (7-1, 4-0)

Oct 25, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Virginia Cavaliers quarterback Chandler Morris (4) hands the ball off to wide receiver Andre Greene Jr. (2) in the third quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

The Cavaliers were fortunate to come away with a win on Saturday over North Carolina, as they were outplayed for the majority of the game.

Quarterback Chandler Morris' performance was especially concerning, as the veteran signal caller completed 57.1% of his passes for 200 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.

Oct 20, 2018; Durham, NC, USA; A Duke Blue Devils footballl helmet during the second half at Wallace Wade Stadium. The Cavaliers won 28-14. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images | Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images

Virginia may be undefeated in conference play, but sooner rather than later, that luck is going to run out against more formidable opponents.

3. Pittsburgh (6-2, 4-1)

Oct 25, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Mason Heintschel (6) carries the ball against North Carolina State Wolfpack cornerback Jamel Johnson (21) during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

The Panthers had the best offensive performance of any team in the ACC on Saturday, scoring 53 points against North Carolina State.

Pittsburgh has positioned itself well, but three of its final four games - two against ACC opponents - consist of Notre Dame, Georgia Tech, and Miami. That could be the Panthers' ultimate downfall in the ACC race.

4. Louisville (6-1, 3-1)

Oct 25, 2025; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; Louisville Cardinals quarterback Miller Moss (7) passes against Boston College Eagles defensive back Omar Thornton (0) during the second half at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-Imagn Images | Jamie Rhodes-Imagn Images

The Cardinals are a difficult team to gauge this season, as they beat Miami in Week 8, but then struggled at times against Boston College. Nonetheless, Louisville won and moves on to Week 10 with a strong position in the ACC.

However, if Miller Moss replicates his performance from Saturday through the rest of the season, the Cardinals will lose games that they should not.

5. SMU (5-3, 3-1)

The Mustangs entered this weekend as one of the last undefeated teams in ACC play this season. That run came to an end after falling to Wake Forest 13-12 on a last-second field goal.

Oct 4, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; SMU Mustangs wide receiver Jordan Hudson (2) runs with the ball during the second half against the Syracuse Orange at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

SMU had ample opportunities to put the game away, as Wake Forest committed four turnovers, including two in the red zone.

Nonetheless, SMU coughed up a tremendous opportunity, and still have Miami and Louisville on the remaining slate of games.

6. Duke (4-3, 3-1)

Sep 6, 2025; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils quarterback Darian Mensah (10) scrambles against Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker Alec Bryant (3) during the fourth quarter at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images | Zachary Taft-Imagn Images

It's been well-documented that the Blue Devils were on bye this week. Duke entered the bye week with a gut-wrenching loss to Georgia Tech in Week 8.

The Blue Devils have an outside track to one of the top two seeds in the ACC, but overall, Duke has the personnel and coaching staff to push for that position.

7. Miami (6-1, 2-1)

Oct 25, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck (11) looks for a passing option against Stanford Cardinal during the second quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

The Hurricanes have taken advantage of a light schedule, losing only one game so far this season, which came against Louisville in Week 8.

Miami continued that trend, defeating Stanford 42-7 after a dominant second-half performance. The Hurricanes most difficult game remaining is next week at SMU.

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