ACC Football Power Rankings: 2023 Week 8
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - We're now at the halfway mark of the 2023 college football season, and the battle for the Atlantic Coast Conference is starting to shape up.
Following Louisville's upset loss, we're now left with just two teams left in the league that are undefeated both overall and in conference play. The race to get to Charlotte is far from over, but Florida State and North Carolina now officially control their own destiny.
But don't others out. Even with a loss to Notre Dame, Duke is still undefeated in conference play. The Cardinals only have one loss in league play, and their game vs. the Blue Devils in two weeks could have lasting repercussions. Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech also have just one ACC loss, as well.
So where do things currently stand in the conference following the first seven weeks of football? Check out our week eight ACC power rankings below:
1. Florida State Seminoles
Record: 6-0, 4-0 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 1
Week 7 Result: W, 41-3 vs. Syracuse
Florida State certainly looked the part of a national title contender against Syracuse. Three total touchdowns from QB Jordan Travis, a fantastic performance from WR Keon Coleman, and nearly 200 rushing yards. All the while holding the Orange to 261 yards and forcing a pair of turnovers. Off to their first 6-0 start in eight years, the Seminoles are rolling.
2. North Carolina Tar Heels
Record: 6-0, 3-0 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 2
Week 7 Result: W, 41-31 vs. Miami
As if the North Carolina offense wasn't potent enough, WR Tez Walker makes this unit operate at an even higher level. Walker and RB Omarion Hampton had a hand in all five of the Tar Heels' touchdowns, and are a deadly duo for an already elite QB in Drake Maye. Not to mention their defense also forced four turnovers.
3. Duke Blue Devils
Record: 5-1, 2-0 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 4
Week 7 Result: W, 24-3 vs. NC State
No Riley Leonard? No problem. QB Henry Belin IV might not have been perfect in place of the injured Leonard, but the Blue Devils offense was still able to move the ball when they had to. Plus their defense nearly pitched a shutout against an NC State offense that put up almost 50 points last week after making a QB change.
4. Louisville Cardinals
Record: 6-1, 3-1 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 3
Week 7 Result: L, 38-21 at Pitt
This had trap game written all over it, and Louisville fell right into it. It's hard to lose by three scores when you out-gain an opponent by almost 150 yards, but three turnovers inside the 25-yard line and getting out-scored 24-0 in the second half will certainly do that to you. A litany of injuries for the Cardinals didn't help, either
5. Clemson Tigers
Record: 4-2, 2-2 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 6
Week 7 Result: Bye Week
Clemson better be careful this upcoming weekend. Miami will be itching for a bounce back after dropping two in a row.
6. Miami Hurricanes
Record: 4-2, 0-2 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 5
Week 7 Result: L, 41-31 at North Carolina
Miami looked like they might be in line to pull off the road upset and redeem themselves for last week's snafu vs. Georgia Tech. A disastrous third quarter later, the Canes still don't have an ACC win. QB Tyler Van Dyke is starting to come back down to Earth, and the offense was absolutely gashed. Not a great stretch for Mario Cristobal and Co.
7. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Record: 3-3, 2-1 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 8
Week 7 Result: Bye Week
Georgia Tech's final six games are an absolute roller coaster. Three very winnable games, and three games where a blowout could be waiting.
8. NC State Wolfpack
Record: 4-3, 1-2 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 7
Week 7 Result: L, 24-3 at Duke
Talk about a complete 180. A week removed from putting up almost 50 points against Marshall, QB M.J. Morris and the rest of NC State couldn't do much right offensively against Duke. The Wolfpack defense honestly did a good job against a backup QB, but the two explosive plays for touchdowns were back-breaking.
9. Virginia Tech Hokies
Record: 3-4, 2-1 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 11
Week 7 Result: W, 30-13 vs. Wake Forest
Watch out for Virginia Tech. Ever since QB Kyron Drones took over the reigns of the offense, the Hokies have been much more efficient on that side of the ball. Additionally, the defense posted their second game of allowing under 300 yards in three weeks. They could be someone to watch in the second half of the season.
10. Syracuse Orange
Record: 4-3, 0-3 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 9
Week 7 Result: L, 41-3 at Florida State
Things are starting to spiral out of control for Syracuse. Granted, playing in Tallahassee is extremely tough, and QB Garrett Shrader getting food poisoning certainly didn't help. But the fact of the matter is that the Orange have now dropped three straight after winning their first four. Fortunately, things do get easier from here.
11. Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Record: 3-3, 0-3 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 10
Week 7 Result: L, 30-13 at Virginia Tech
Like Syracuse, things are also starting to snowball for Wake Forest. QB Mitch Griffis was benched after a pick, his replacement in Michael Kern had two fumbles, and the defense got sliced up. In fact, the Demon Deacons' only touchdown came on special teams. Things aren't looking good in Winston-Salem.
12. Pitt Panthers
Record: 2-4, 1-2 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 14
Week 7 Result: W, 38-21 vs. Louisville
Well, well. Maybe a change at quarterback was just what Pitt needed. Christian Veilleux wasn't perfect, but he was certainly better than anything Phil Jurkovec has done this season. Combine that with a defense that has been much better than it gets credit for, and you have the recipe for an upset. Maybe they can salvage their season after all.
13. Boston College Eagles
Record: 3-3, 1-2 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 12
Week 7 Result: Bye Week.
If QB Thomas Castellanos continues on his hot streak, Boston College could have a real chance to play spoiler against some teams down the stretch.
14. Virginia Cavaliers
Record: 1-5, 0-2 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 13
Week 7 Result: Bye Week
Enjoy that bye week Virginia, because things could get very rocky. Three of the Cavaliers' next five games are against ranked opponents, and two are on the road.
(Photo of Tez Walker: Nell Redmond - USA TODAY Sports
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