ACC Football Power Rankings: 2023 Week 3
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Two full weeks of college football are now in the books, and it was another successful one for the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Highlighted by Miami's win over No. 23 Texas A&M, ACC schools went a combined 10-4 against non-conference opponents in week two, bumping the league's overall record to 18-6.
Unlike week one, there isn't a ton of significant shuffling in the power rankings as whole. Most of it comes as a result of just three teams after the Hurricanes' earned a statement win, and NC State and Pitt suffering decisive losses at home.
So where do things currently stand in the conference following the first two weeks of football? Check out our week three ACC power rankings below:
1. Florida State Seminoles
Record: 2-0, 0-0 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 1
Week 2 Result: W, 66-13 vs. Southern Miss
Putting a beatdown on Southern Miss doesn't have the same allure as taking down a top-five opponent in LSU, but putting up the most in the Mike Norvell era is certainly noteworthy. Whether it was the first team or second team in, Florida State was determined to not produce a letdown on short rest. Running back Trey Benson, who ran for three touchdowns, was particularly impressive.
2. North Carolina Tar Heels
Record: 2-0, 0-0 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 2
Week 2 Result: W (OT), 40-34 vs. Appalachian State
Just when I thought North Carolina had a good defense, this game happened. Sure, App State is no slouch, but allowing them to put up nearly 500 yards after what UNC did against South Carolina the week before is certainly a turn. Fortunately for the Tar Heels, running back Omarion Hampton had the sliders turned to Rookie difficulty, and quarterback Drake Maye is still pretty good.
3. Duke Blue Devils
Record: 2-0, 1-0 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 4
Week 2 Result: W, 42-7 vs. Lafayette
Facing an FCS school is certainly not the same as facing Clemson, but the result was surely the same for Duke. The Blue Devils' running back tandem of Jordan Waters and Jaquez Moore looked sharp, quarterback Riley Leonard was efficient in the time he did see on the field, and the defense looked mostly dominant.
4. Clemson Tigers
Record: 1-1. 0-1 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 3
Week 2 Result: W, 66-17 vs. Charleston Southern
Talk about having two completely different halves. Clemson found themselves clinging to a 24-17 lead at halftime, only to outscore Charleston Southern 42-0 in the second half. As competitive as this game was in the first half, against an FCS team no less, the Tigers still out-gained the Buccaneers 679-74. Quarterback Cade Klubnik had a solid day as well, rebounding from an early pick-six to throw for 315 and four touchdowns.
5. Miami Hurricanes
Record: 2-0, 0-0 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 7
Week 2 Result: W, 48-33 vs. Texas A&M
Alas, Miami has their early signature win under second-year head coach Mario Cristobal. The Canes impressed in all three phases against No. 23 Texas A&M. Quarterback Tyler Van Dyke (374 yards, 5 TD) looks to be back to form, the defense forced three turnovers, and Miami even got a 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. We just have to hope that All-American safety Kam Kinchens is okay after having to be carted off in the fourth quarter.
6. Louisville Cardinals
Record: 2-0, 1-0 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 6
Week 2 Result: W, 56-0 vs. Murray State
Louisville's matchup with Murray State was certainly far less dramatic than their game against Georgia Tech the week before. Running back Jawhar Jordan certainly looked the part (135 yards, 2 TD), as did their defense after forcing three turnovers and pitching a shutout. The Cardinals just have to get more consistency from quarterback Jack Plummer.
7. NC State Wolfpack
Record: 1-1, 0-0 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 5
Week 2 Result: L, 45-24 vs. Notre Dame
With this game being played in Raleigh, I certainly thought NC State had a chance in this one. Boy was I wrong. With quarterback Brennan Armstrong throwing three interceptions and the Wolfpack failing to rush for over 100 yards, it put their elite defense in a terrible spot. Granted, Sam Hartman and Notre Dame look the part of a potential title contender, but you can't beat anyone playing like this.
8. Syracuse Orange
Record: 2-0, 0-0 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 9
Week 2 Result: W, 48-7 vs. Western Michigan
Syracuse's competition over the first two weeks of the season certainly hasn't been the cream of the crop, but the Orange have looked good right out of the gates, producing a pair of blowouts. LeQuint Allen might have only rushed for 20 yards against Western Michigan, but three of his eight carries went for touchdowns. Time will tell how 'Cuse looks when they face Power Five competition.
9. Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Record: 2-0, 0-0 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 10
Week 2 Result: W, 36-20 vs. Vanderbilt
It's early, but the post-Sam Hartman era for Wake Forest continues to look better than anticipated. Running backs Demond Claiborne and Tate Carney combined for nearly 300 rushing yards, the defense forced three turnovers and quarterback Mitch Griffis was efficient. Maybe more Deacs games should have lightning delays.
10. Pitt Panthers
Record: 1-1, 0-0 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 8
Week 2 Result: L, 27-21 vs. Cincinnati
Don't let the final score fool you, Pitt looked out-classed for most of this game, masked by a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns. Quarterback Phil Jurkovec somehow had twice as many incompletions as completed catches despite throwing for three touchdowns, and the Panthers couldn't run hardly at all while letting Cincinnati run all over them. At home, no less.
11. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Record: 1-1, 0-1 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 11
Week 2 Result: W, 48-13 vs. South Carolina State
Again, it was an FCS team, but this game showed what Georgia Tech could be one day under Brent Key - at least offensively. QB Haynes King had a career day with four touchdowns, and the Jackets had well over 250 yards rushing. The 291 yards allowed on defense though? With 196 being on the ground? That needs fixing.
12. Virginia Tech Hokies
Record: 1-1, 0-0 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 12
Week 2 Result: L, 24-17 vs. Purdue
Well, maybe Virginia Tech really is that awful at running the ball. The Hokies had just ELEVEN rushing yards, and quarterback Grant Wells wasn't much better after showing progress last week. Throw in a defense that allows over 400 yards, and you have the recipe for a loss. Brent Pry better get this ship back on course, and quickly.
13. Boston College Eagles
Record: 1-1, 0-0 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 14
Week 2 Result: W, 31-28 vs. Holy Cross
If Boston College can barely survive an FCS team at home, they could have a long season ahead of them. That being said, they seem to have found a better option at quarterback in Thomas Castellanos. Their receivers just need to be more consistant. Plus this defense, which has talented pieces, has vastly underperformed to start the season.
14. Virginia Cavaliers
Record: 0-2, 0-0 ACC
Last Week's Ranking: No. 13
Week 2 Result: L, 36-35 vs. James Madison
It hasn't been pretty to start this season for Virginia. I get that starting QB Tony Muskett had to miss this game, but that shouldn't affect the Cavs' ground game, which - like VT - ran for just 18 yards. Backup Anthony Colandrea actually looked good, but that defense looked far from it. Looking at the schedule, it's not hyperbole to think the Hoos could go winless.
(Photo of Jacolby George: Sam Navarro - USA TODAY Sports)
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