ACC Football Power Rankings: Week Ten
It is a new week, which means a new set of ACC Power Rankings.
Florida State is close to clinching a spot in the ACC title game, but that is the only thing that seems like a given in this conference right now. The race to see who plays Florida State is going to be one of the most interesting storylines to follow over the next four weeks, with Louisville, Virginia Tech, Duke, North Carolina, Miami, NC State, Georgia Tech, NC State, and Boston College all having just one or two losses in the conference. It is going to be an exciting race to see who can make the championship game.
So who moved up and who moved down in this week's ACC power rankings?
14. Pitt (2-6)- Last week: 14
It just keeps getting uglier for the Panthers, who are now 2-6 after getting destroyed by 50+ points against Notre Dame on Saturday. There is just nothing good to say about the Panthers right now, who are one loss away from being unable to make a bowl. The bad news for Pitt is they have to face Florida State on Saturday.
13. Syracuse (4-4)- Last week: 12
The Orange keep sliding in the power rankings. Syracuse has now lost four in a row and they have all been blowout losses. The latest was to Virginia Tech in what was a pretty surprising result. This team feels like it might not make a bowl game, despite starting 4-0 and while injuries have a lot to do with that, this team just does not look right in any phase right now and head coach Dino Babers might be on the hot seat.
12. Wake Forest (4-4)- Last week: 11
Wake did not have much of a shot against Florida State and this is another ACC team that might not make a bowl, despite a good 3-0 start. Wake has Duke, NC State, Notre Dame, and Syracuse left on the schedule and needs to get two more wins to make another bowl game under Dave Clawson.
11. Virginia (2-6)- Last week: 13
Yes, I am moving Virginia up a few spots despite losing this weekend (that is how bad those other three look right now). The Cavaliers have been playing much better these last two weeks, beating North Carolina and outplaying Miami for much of the game on Saturday. The defense is playing well and quarterback Tony Muskett seems to be playing with more confidence and it helps that he has perhaps the ACC's best receiver in Malik Washington. UVA faces Georgia Tech at home this weekend.
10. Clemson (4-4)- Last week: 6
It might be shocking to see this, but Clemson is just not a good team right now. The Tigers outgained NC State 364-202, but somehow lost. Clemson is on a downhill spiral it seems like and they are going to be a tough team to predict going forward. They are still talented, but you have to wonder if they will continue playing hard with four losses on the schedule.
9. Georgia Tech (4-4)- Last week: 10
Georgia Tech defeated North Carolina for the third straight season
Nathaniel Caudell
The Yellow Jackets did it again. College football's craziest team rebounded from a loss to Boston College to shock North Carolina for the third straight season. The offense was brilliant, racking up over 600 yards, including over 300 on the ground, and now Brent Key and his team will head to Virginia on Saturday two wins away from being eligible for making a bowl game.
8. NC State (5-3)- Last week: 8
Ugly wins are still wins and for Dave Doeren and his team, they will take it. The Wolfpack are one win away from a bowl game and are still technically in the ACC title picture with just two conference losses. The offense has not been very good the last few games, but the defense is forcing turnovers and this team is well coaches. NC State hosts Miami on Saturday.
7. Boston College (5-3)- Last week: 7
The Eagles defeated UConn on Saturday and after a 1-2 start to the season, Boston College is now one win away from a bowl game. The offense remains tough to stop and Thomas Castellanos is giving this team a big boost in both phases. Next up for BC will be a road trip to Syracuse.
6. Virginia Tech (4-4)- Last week: 9
How about the Hokies? Virginia Tech is now 4-4 overall and 3-1 in the ACC, controlling their own destiny to get to the ACC title game. Brent Pry has done a good job of rallying his team and the offense is playing better with Kyron Drones at quarterback. A massive game at Louisville is on deck Saturday.
5. Duke (5-3)- Last week: 2
I hate that Duke is so banged up and likely out of the ACC title race now. The ankle injury to Riley Leonard probably cost Duke a shot at a really special season, but they can still make a bowl game. The Duke offense could not find anything on Saturday against Louisville and will be the key to the last month of their season.
4. North Carolina (6-2)- Last week: 3
The Tar Heels have lost two straight games as a double-digit favorite and are now in danger of missing the ACC title game. This team looked like a potential playoff dark horse after the first six weeks, but the defense has returned to last year's form, giving up over 600 yards to Georgia Tech. North Carolina finishes the year facing Campbell, Duke, Clemson, and NC State.
3. Miami (6-2)- Last week: 5
I did not want to move Miami up after that ugly performance, but Duke and UNC left me no choice. The Hurricanes were lucky to survive against Virginia on Saturday in overtime and quarterback Tyler Van Dyke played horribly. Still, Mario Cristobal has this team bowl-eligible and still in contention for a spot in the ACC title game. Next up is a trip to NC State and then a massive game against rival Florida State.
2. Louisville (7-1)- Last week: 4
What a response from the Cardinals off of the bye week. Louisville had a disastrous loss to Pitt a couple of weeks ago but bounced back to destroy Duke at home on Saturday. This team is in the drivers seat for a spot in the ACC title game, but they just can't afford another slip up like they had against the Panthers.
1. Florida State (8-0)- Last week: 1
FSU has been No. 1 in the power rankings all season and nothing is changing this week. The Seminoles dispatched Wake Forest on the road and the offense remains explosive and one of the nations best. The rest of the schedule works out in the Seminoles favor too. They travel to Pitt, host Miami and North Alabama, and then travel to the Swamp to face Florida to end the season. FSU is the best team in the ACC right now and is still on track for a possible playoff birth.
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