ACC Football Power Rankings: 2023 Week 10
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - We're in the home stretch in the battle for the Atlantic Coast Conference, and things are starting to come into form.
Undefeated Florida State is still very much on track to reach the ACC Championship in Charlotte, N.C., and perhaps even more. But following Louisville's win over Duke and North Carolina's upset loss at Georgia Tech, the Cardinals are the overwhelming favorite to be the team which will take on the Seminoles.
But while FSU and UofL control their own destiny, the race isn't over yet. Duke and UNC are still in the mix, and even schools like Virginia Tech and Miami have a chance to make some noise.
So where do things currently stand in the conference following nine weeks of football? Check out our week 10 ACC power rankings below:
1. Florida State Seminoles
Record: 8-0, 6-0 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 1
Week 9 Result: W, 41-16 at Wake Forest
What's there to say that hasn't already been said? QB Jordan Travis continues to look like a Heisman Trophy candidate, WR Keon Coleman's draft stock continues to surge, and DE Jared Verse and the Seminole defense continues to be an intimidating unit. FSU certainly looks the part of a team that can potentially win a national championship.
2. Louisville Cardinals
Record: 7-1, 4-1 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 2
Week 9 Result: W, 23-0 vs. Duke
Now that's how you respond from a baffling loss. Louisville handled Duke from start to finish, and they did it in a way that was not typical of a Jeff Brohm team. RB Jawhar Jordan ran all over the Blue Devils front seven, and the Cardinals' own defense got after the Duke backfield all night long. Louisville very much seems like the team who will meet FSU in Charlotte.
3. Miami Hurricanes
Record: 6-2, 2-2 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 5
Week 9 Result: W, 29-26 (OT) vs. Virginia
Miami did end up on the right side of the win/loss column and did make winning plays in overtime, but make no mistake: the Canes should have lost this game. QB Tyler Van Dyke's in a midseason slump, and their defense gave up nearly 400 yards to one of the worst teams in the league. The U loses this game if their kicker doesn't make three field goals.
4. North Carolina Tar Heels
Record: 6-2, 3-2 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 4
Week 9 Result: L, 46-42 at Georgia Tech
North Carolina's defense has now completely reverted back to their 2022 form (if it hadn't already). You would think putting up 577 yards of offense would be enough to win a game, right? But when you surrender 635, including 265 in the fourth quarter alone, you deserve to lose. The Tar Heels' dreams of getting to the ACC Championship are all but dashed because of it.
5. Duke Blue Devils
Record: 5-3, 2-2 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 3
Week 9 Result: L, 23-0 at Louisville
I get that QB Riley Leonard was hobbled, and that Duke had a whole host of other injuries both heading into and during the game. But their typically prolific rushing attack went absolutely nowhere, and their usually stout defense gave up an uncharacteristic amount of rushing yards. It doesn't help that the Blue Devils have a short week coming up, too.
6. NC State Wolfpack
Record: 5-3, 2-2 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 7
Week 9 Result: W, 24-17 vs. Clemson
It might not have been the prettiest of wins for NC State, but a win is a win regardless. As per the usual, the defense for the Wolfpack did a lot of the heavy lifting with their two interceptions and stifling run defense, while getting just enough out of their offense. WR KC Conception has a bright future.
7. Virginia Tech Hokies
Record: 4-4, 3-1 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 8
Week 9 Result: W, 38-10 vs. Syracuse
The third-place Virginia Tech Hokies, just like we all predicted. This one was over by time it hit the midway point of the second quarter. QB Kyron Drones continues to look the part since taking over, but VT is finally getting steady production out of their ground game with a staggering 318 rushing yards. Oh, and their defense held Syracuse to zero rushing yards. No big deal.
8. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Record: 4-4, 3-2 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 9
Week 9 Result: W, 46-42 vs. North Carolina
Georgia Tech deserves a lot of credit for staying in this one. Despite going down 14-0 almost immediately and trailing by 11 heading into the fourth quarter, they kept their resolve. RB Dontae Smith exploded, and Haynes King showed why he is one of the more underrated quarterbacks in the ACC. Now they just have to work on their defense (still).
9. Clemson Tigers
Record: 4-4, 2-4 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 6
Week 9 Result: L, 24-17 at NC State
Clemson is an absolute shell of its former championship-caliber self. Dabo Swinney's Garrett Riley experiment continues to appear like an abject failure, as the Tigers could not get into any semblance of offensive rhythm whatsoever against NC State. You would think a defense holding the opposition to 202 yards would be enough to win, but not with an offense like this.
10. Boston College Eagles
Record: 5-3, 2-2 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 11
Week 9 Result: W, 21-14 vs. UConn
Sure, this game was a lot closer than you'd like if you're Boston College, but that's partially because of their play style under QB Thomas Castellanos. The Eagles were able to run nearly at-will against UConn to the tune of 246 rushing yards, including a good outing from backup RB Kye Robichaux. Throw in a solid defense, and you're going to be in some low scoring affairs.
11. Syracuse Orange
Record: 4-4, 0-4 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 10
Week 9 Result: L, 38-10 at Virginia Tech
The free fall for Syracuse continues. Yes, Virginia Tech is tough place to play, but absolutely nothing went right for the Orange in their matchup with the Hokies. Offense, defense, special teams, you name it. Cuse has now lot four in a row after winning their first four, and Dino Babers' hot seat only continues to get warmer
12. Virginia Cavaliers
Record: 2-6, 1-3 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 13
Week 9 Result: L, 29-26 (OT) at Miami
Virginia's record is what it is, but there's no denying that they have been playing better football as of late. In fact, they flat out played better than Miami in South Beach. WR Malik Washington is putting up impressive numbers, RB Mike Hollins is a great goal line threat, and their defense is trending upwards.
13. Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Record: 4-4, 1-4 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 12
Week 9 Result: L, 41-16 vs. Florida State
On one hand, facing a team that is in line to reach the College Football Playoff is no easy task. On the other, Wake Forest couldn't do much right at all. They did get some production on the ground, but quarterback issues and a suspect defense are holding the Demon Deacons back tremendously.
14. Pitt Panthers
Record: 2-6, 1-3 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 14
Week 9 Result: L, 58-7 at Notre Dame
It's bad enough to lose by 51 and not score a single point until the fourth quarter. But when you have you head coach publicly throwing players under the bus, things are not in good shape for Pitt. It's still wild that this very same team upset top-15 Louisville just a few weeks ago.
(Photo of Maurice Turner: Jamie Rhodes - USA TODAY Sports)
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