ACC Power Rankings: Week Six

Who moved up this week in the ACC power rankings?

Author:
Jackson Caudell
Publish date:
Oct 1, 2023 9:18 AM EDT

In this story:

It was not the best week for the ACC.

Georgia Tech was a three-touchdown favorite against Bowling Green at home and lost. The Yellow Jackets were thoroughly outplayed by the Falcons at home and any chances Georgia Tech had of going to a bowl game are likely done. Duke could not capitalize on its opportunity against Notre Dame, even though the Blue Devils played well.

Clemson was able to defeat Syracuse this week and show that they still have one of the most talented rosters in the ACC and could win out.

A lot of the top teams in the conference were off this week and will return to play this week. Florida State, North Carolina, Miami, and Louisville remain unbeaten after this week and the Cardinals are the next ACC team that gets a crack at Notre Dame.

So who moved up and who moved down this week in the ACC?

14. Virginia (0-5). Last week's ranking: 14

The Cavaliers are the last team in the ACC that has not won a game this year, but they were oh-so-close against Boston College. Quarterback Tony Muskett threw three touchdowns and UVA took an early lead, but could not hold on. There are still opportunities for wins (William and Mary, Georgia Tech, and Virginia Tech), but this is still the ACC's worst team.

13. Georgia Tech (2-3). Last week's ranking: 8

Haynes King, Christian Leary, Joe Fusile — Georgia Tech lost at home against Bowling Green yesterday
Nathaniel Caudell

Georgia Tech takes the biggest fall this week. That is what happens when you lose at home as a three-touchdown favorite against Bowling Green. The defense was unable to stop Bowling Green yesterday, allowing nearly 450 yards and the Falcons went 10-17 on third down. Quarterback Connor Bazelak had a great day and picked apart the Yellow Jackets secondary.

This is a devastating loss for Brent Key and the program. After looking improved through the first four weeks, this is a major step back and likely means no bowl game for the Yellow Jackets in 2020. Georgia Tech travels to Miami this week.

12. Pitt (1-4). Last week's ranking: 11

Pitt was a road favorite against Virginia Tech, but the Hokies emerged victorious. Phil Jurkovec had his best game as a Panther, but the defense could not stop a Virginia Tech offense that has struggled all season. A bowl game is looking very unlikely at this point for Pitt, who does not play next week.

11. Boston College (2-3). Last week's ranking: 12

The bottom of the ACC is a bit hard to figure out right now with a lot of teams trying to race to the bottom. The Eagles went down early against Virginia yesterday, but Jeff Hafley's team found a way to win. Quarterback Thomas Castellanos had a solid day and Lewis Bond had over 100 yards receiving. BC can get to .500 this week if they can find a way to defeat Army.

10. Virginia Tech (2-3). Last week's ranking: 13

Credit to Brent Pry for being able to get his team up for a big win against Pitt at home. Quarterback Kyron Drones had his best game as a Hokie and Virginia Tech ran for close to 200 yards on Pittsburgh. There are still plenty of challenges ahead for Virginia Tech, starting with a road trip to Tallahassee this week to face Florida State, but the hot seat talk for Pry can cool for at least one week.

9. NC State (3-2). Last week's ranking: 9

NC State had chances to win on Friday and end Louisville's undefeated season, but the Wolfpack's offense continues to be dismal, and Virginia transfer Brennan Armstrong has had a rough start to the season. NC State is off this week and needs to be able to figure something out on offense if they want to be able to win 7-8 games.

8. Wake Forest (3-1). Last week's ranking: 10

Wake Forest was off this week and returns to action next week against Clemson.

7. Syracuse (4-1). Last week's ranking: 6

Syracuse tried to hang around after Clemson went up 14-0, but the offense is just too banged up right now to be effective against a defense like Clemson. The Orange are too reliant on running quarterback Garrett Shrader and have to find a way to be able to score points going forward. Another big challenge awaits Syracuse this week in Chapel Hill against North Carolina.

6. Clemson (3-2). Last week's ranking: 7

Dabo Swinney was able to get his team focused after the tough loss to Florida State and go on the road and defeat Syracuse and end their undefeated season. The defense held Syracuse to under 300 yards yesterday and quarterback Cade Klubnik tossed two touchdowns. The rushing attack could still improve, but the Tigers will take a win any way they can get it. A home game against Wake Forest is next on the schedule.

5. Louisville (5-0). Last week's ranking 5

Jack Plummer — Louisville avoided a loss against NC State on Friday
Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports

Louisville is 5-0 under Jeff Brohm, but it was close to losing its first game on Friday against NC State. Turnovers and an inability to run the ball plagued Louisville on Friday night, but the big thing for them is that they won and remain undefeated in ACC play. The Cardinals have a huge opportunity against Notre Dame at home next week.

4. Duke (4-1). Last week's ranking: 4

Duke fought back and played well against Notre Dame on Saturday night, but the defense could not come up with a stop on the final drive and let the Fighting Irish sneak out of Durham with a ranked win. The big question for the Blue Devils going forward will be the health of its star quarterback Riley Leonard. Leonard was injured on the last drive for Duke last night and his health is in question. Duke is off next week.