ACC Football Power Rankings: 2023 Week 9
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The battle for the Atlantic Coast Conference certainly got a lot more interesting this past weekend.
With losses by both Duke and North Carolina, the ACC now features four one-loss teams in conference play. Florida State is still very much on track to get to Charlotte, but that second spot is now officially up for grabs.
FSU, UNC, Duke and Louisville are certainly the frontrunners, but a handful of teams beyond this quartet are making moves. Boston College and Miami are certainly two-loss teams to monitor, and Virginia Tech - who also has just one loss in ACC play - is starting to play better football.
So where do things currently stand in the conference following eight weeks of football? Check out our week nine ACC power rankings below:
1. Florida State Seminoles
Record: 7-0, 5-0 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 1
Week 8 Result: W, 38-20 vs. Duke
On one hand, Florida State has made it a habit of having to rally from behind at times this season. On the other, they were able to finish strong again, thanks to another fantastic game from QB Jordan Travis. Some of it might have had to do with Duke's Riley Leonard having to exit the game, but still, the Seminoles are clearly the team to beat.
2. Louisville Cardinals
Record: 6-1, 3-1 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 4
Week 8 Result: Bye Week
And just like that, Louisville is back in the ACC title hunt with losses by Duke and UNC. This weekend's bout with the Blue Devils could have season-long ramifications.
3. Duke Blue Devils
Record: 5-2, 2-1 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 3
Week 8 Result: L, 38-20 at Florida State
One can't help but wonder what happens in the game against FSU if QB Riley Leonard doesn't re-aggravate his ankle injury. Sure, he himself wasn't very efficient, but Duke as a whole was able to move the ball. Their defense also seemed to get worn out towards the end, too. Now the Blue Devils have to hope that Leonard doesn't miss even more time.
4. North Carolina Tar Heels
Record: 6-1, 3-1 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 2
Week 8 Result: L, 31-27 vs. Virginia
My goodness, UNC. You're starting to build up steam as a legitimate threat for the ACC crown with a Heisman Trophy contender in QB Drake Maye, and you lose as a three-score favorite to the worst team in the league? At home? Not only did Maye disappoint, UNC's at-times suspect defense came back to bite them.
5. Miami Hurricanes
Record: 5-2, 1-2 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 6
Week 8 Result: W, 28-20 (2OT) vs. Clemson
Not having QB Tyler Van Dyke against one of the more talented defenses in the ACC is certainly an uphill climb, but Miami backup Emory Williams certainly turned it on in the fourth quarter and OT. Not to mention that Rueben Bain and the Canes defense was very efficient. It wasn't pretty, but it snapped an ACC home losing streak.
6. Clemson Tigers
Record: 4-3, 2-3 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 5
Week 8 Result: L, 28-20 (2OT) at Miami
If Dabo Swinney wanted to lighten the Clemson bandwagon, he sure is doing a good job of it. A stymied ground game, a fourth quarter defensive collapse, and a truly baffling goal line call in double overtime to lose the game aren't doing him or the Tigers any favors. Clemson is staring a 7-5 record right in the face.
7. NC State Wolfpack
Record: 4-3, 1-2 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 8
Week 8 Result: Bye Week
NC State has a great opportunity coming up against Clemson to potentially get their season back on track. Will they capitalize?
8. Virginia Tech Hokies
Record: 3-4, 2-1 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 1
Week 8 Result: Bye Week
Virginia Tech is a definitely a team to watch out for down the stretch, and hosting a reeling Syracuse this weekend will certainly help them generate even more momentum.
9. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Record: 3-4, 2-2 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 7
Week 8 Result: L, 38-23 vs. Boston College
Maybe demoting their defensive coordinator wasn't the answer to their recent struggles on that side of the ball. Georgia Tech was absolutely gashed on the ground by Boston College. Add in three interceptions by Haynes King, including a pick six, and you have the recipe for a loss. The Yellow Jackets have been the epitome of inconsistency this season.
10. Syracuse Orange
Record: 4-3, 0-3 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 10
Week 8 Result: Bye Week
Sure, their last three games have come against three of the most talented teams in the ACC. but things are starting to spiral for Syracuse. They better watch out against a Virginia Tech team that is on the rise.
11. Boston College Eagles
Record: 4-3, 2-2 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 13
Week 8 Result: W, 38-20 at Georgia Tech
Boston College has been on a hot streak as of late. QB Thomas Castellanos and backup RB Kye Robichaux tore up the Georgia Tech front seven, the Eagles' own defense forced three turnover, and BC as a whole was able to score 21 unanswered in the fourth. This team looked dead in the water a few weeks ago, but now they're hitting their stride.
12. Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Record: 1-3, 4-3 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 11
Week 8 Result: W, 21-17 vs. Pitt
What a hectic final five minutes in this game. In wasn't pretty, but a win is a win. Wake Forest's defense held on just long enough against a Pitt team that had just upset Louisville, and their third string quarterback Santino Marucci made a play when the Demon Deacons needed it the most. It's been a rough month in Winston-Salem, but maybe this is the turning point needed.
13. Virginia Cavaliers
Record: 1-2, 2-5 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 14
Week 8 Result: W, 31-27 at North Carolina
North Carolina shot themselves in the foot plenty, but what a performance from Virginia. Their defense limited arguably the best offense in the ACC, and their own offense finally got things clicking, with Mike Hollins and Malik Washington carrying them to victory. A very impressive outing for their first road win against at top-10 team.
14. Pitt Panthers
Record: 2-5, 1-3 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 12
Week 8 Result: L, 21-17 at Wake Forest
On the heels of an impressive upset victory against top-15 Louisville, Pitt then immediately followed that up with a loss against a reeling Wake Forest. New starting QB Christian Veilleux wasn't as efficient, the Panthers couldn't get the ground game going, and then their defense collapsed for a 14-point fourth quarter after only allowing seven in the previous three. Not great.
(Photo via Alicia Devine - Tallahassee Democrat / USA TODAY NETWORK)
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