ACC Football Power Rankings: 2023 Week 11
CHARLOTTE - You might as well pencil in the ACC Championship matchup at this point.
Even with one league game still left on their schedule, Florida State officially clinched a berth in the conference championship, getting back to Charlotte, N.C. for the first time since 2014.
While the second berth has yet to be clinched, it's looking more and more likely that it will be Louisville squaring off with the Seminoles. In theory, schools like Duke, North Carolina, Virginia Tech and a few others still have a shot, but the Cardinals are the overwhelming favorite to battle FSU.
Anyways, it was another chaotic week in the Atlantic Coast Conference. So where do things currently stand in the conference following ten weeks of football? Check out our week 11 ACC power rankings below:
1. Florida State Seminoles
Record: 9-0, 7-0 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 1
Week 10 Result: W, 24-7 at Pitt
There's just something about Pittsburgh that makes it difficult for highly-ranked teams. Alas, Florida State was able to avoid a similar fate that Louisville had a few weeks back, even though they were short their top tow offensive weapons. But when you have a QB like Jordan Travis and a defense like that, the Seminoles were able to overcome a slow start and punch their ticket to Charlotte.
2. Louisville Cardinals
Record: 8-1, 5-1 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 2
Week 10 Result: W, 34-3 vs. Virginia Tech
Speaking of Charlotte, meet the team who - in all likelihood - will meet FSU there. Louisville's two offensive weapons were also out or limited, but that didn't stop backup RB Isaac Guerendo from running roughshod over Virginia Tech. Add in a defense who has been playing lights out over the last couple weeks, and you get a team that has out-scored their last two opponents 57-3. The Cardinals are hot.
3. North Carolina Tar Heels
Record: 7-2, 3-2 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 4
Week 10 Result: W, 59-7 vs. Campbell
At least North Carolina didn't have to deal with any late game drama this week. Considering they were on a two-game losing streak, this buy game was exactly what the Tar Heels needed. QB Drake Maye, RB Omarion Hampton and that defense all looked good. We'll see if this can parlay this into their rivalry game with Duke.
4. NC State Wolfpack
Record: 6-3, 3-2 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 6
Week 10 Result: W, 20-6 vs. Miami
NC State's defense continues to single-handedly win them games. Miami might not be operating at their peak efficiency with how talented they are, but holding them to 292 yards and forcing four turnovers is impressive. We'll see how the Wolfpack's offense fairs the rest of the way now that they're bowl eligible, especially with the news that QB M.J. Morris will be redshirting.
5. Duke Blue Devils
Record: 6-3, 3-2 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 5
Week 10 Result: W, 24-21 vs. Wake Forest
Duke certainly looks like a different team with Riley Leonard sidelined. It also doesn't help their backup QB is also hurt and are having to roll with option No. 3. Still, the Blue Devils did what good teams do, and found a way to win at the end via game-winning field goal. Even if Wake Forest did outplay them for most of the night.
6. Miami Hurricanes
Record: 6-3, 2-3 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 3
Week 10 Result: L, 20-6 at NC State
Even with all the talent at their disposal, Miami just can't seem to get out of their own way. QB Tyler Van Dyke looked awful and has struggled mightily over the last month, the Canes couldn't do anything on third down, and their defense eventually buckled in the fourth quarter. Mario Cristobal needs to find answers, and quick.
7. Clemson Tigers
Record: 5-4, 2-4 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 9
Week 10 Result: W, 31-23 vs. Notre Dame
Tyler from Spartanburg should call into Dabo Swinney's coaches show more often. Against Notre Dame, Clemson looked like the team many expected them to be in the preseason. QB Cade Klubnik might not have had his best outing, but RB Phil Mafah and that stout Tigers defense carried the load against a top-15 opponent. The danger of missing a bowl subsides, for now.
8. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Record: 5-4, 4-2 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 8
Week 10 Result: W, 45-17 at Virginia
Georgia Tech had been alternating wins and losses all season long, until this point. Sure, Virginia is arguably the worst team in the ACC, but the Yellow Jackets looked like a dominant bunch. QB Haynes King was efficient and spread the ball around, their ground game put up over 300 yards and five touchdowns, and their defense forced a trio of turnovers.
9. Virginia Tech Hokies
Record: 4-5, 3-2 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 7
Week 10 Result: L, 34-3 at Louisville
In hindsight, maybe Virginia Tech's midseason resurgence was more so a product of who they were facing. QB Kyron Drones and the Hokies offense was nearly shut out and couldn't get any going, and VT's defense couldn't stop a backup running back. Even still, a bowl game still could be within reach with how the end of their schedule shakes out.
10. Boston College Eagles
Record: 6-3, 3-2 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 10
Week 10 Result: W, 17-10 at Syracuse
Was this the prettiest game? Nope, but as they say, a win is a win. Boston College's secondary hauled in four interceptions, their rushing attack was solid despite still missing RB Pat Garwo, and QB Thomas Castellanos made plays when he had to. It all came together for the Eagles' fifth win in a row to get them bowl eligible.
11. Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Record: 4-5, 1-5 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 13
Week 10 Result: L, 24-21 at Duke
Very little seems to have gone right for Wake Forest since they started conference play. The defense did play well against Duke, but their offense was hamstrung by an inability to finish drives. It wasn't even due to inconsistent quarterback play this time around, as Mitch Griffis actually looked solid.
12. Pitt Panthers
Record: 2-7, 1-4 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 14
Week 10 Result: L, 24-7 vs. Florida State
Well, Pitt gave it their best shot, and they certainly looked better than the week before when they were shellacked by Notre Dame. Still, when you commit 11 penalties and turn the ball over three times, that's a recipe for anyone to lose, much less a team like the Panthers who have struggled this season. Now, Pitt will not go bowling for only the second time under Pat Narduzzi.
13. Syracuse Orange
Record: 4-5, 0-5 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 11
Week 10 Result: L, 17-10 vs Boston College
As if Syracuse couldn't look much worse. Their defense did a solid job all things considered, but when you fail to put up 250 yards and turn the ball over four times, things are in dire straits - backup QB or not. That seat in which Dino Babers sits upon is only getting hotter and hotter.
14. Virginia Cavaliers
Record: 2-7, 1-4 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 12
Week 10 Result: L, 45-17 vs. Georgia Tech
Virginia had been playing much better football over the last few weeks, and all that came crashing down against Georgia Tech. Some of that was because of Tony Muskett getting injured again, but still, the Cavaliers got abused on both sides of the line of scrimmage. It won't get any easier with a short turnaround at Louisville on deck.
(Photo of Ruke Orhorhoro: Ken Ruinard - USA TODAY Sports)
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