ACC Football Power Rankings, Week 10: Notre Dame prevails over Clemson, claims top spot

Back on Saturday night, things got a little topsy-turvy at the office for the Clemson Tigers. Following the loss at Notre Dame, Clemson dropped from the No. 1 ranking in both the AP Poll and the ACC Football Power Rankings. Read more.

 

No. 1 Notre Dame

In one of the wackiest games of the season, so far, Notre Dame followed Kyren Williams on the ground and the steady decision-making of Ian Book to an upset victory over Clemson.

Williams, excellent in blitz pick-up all game, ran for 140 yards (6.1 yards per carry) and three touchdowns; Book completed 22-of-39 pass attempts (56.4 percent) for 310 yards and 4-yard touchdown pass to Avery Davis that allowed Notre Dame to tie the game up with 22 seconds left in regulation.

Next up: at Boston College, Saturday (11/14), 3:30 p.m.

Record: 7-0

 

No. 2 Clemson

Clemson didn’t have a full deck on the road against Notre Dame; the Tigers played without Trevor Lawrence, James Skalski, Mike Jones and Tyler Davis — all excellent players. Even then, Clemson had a great chance to win this game on the road and preserve its undefeated record, thanks to 439 passing yards and three total touchdowns from DJ Uiagalelei.

However, this was a far from perfect game for Clemson: three turnovers and a mismanaged clock over the final two minutes of regulation proved costly.

At this point, though, Clemson still remains in in the CFP picture.

Next up: at Florida State, Saturday (11/21), 12:00 p.m.

Record: 7-1

 

No. 3 Miami

Here’s a newsflash: D’Eriq King is really good at football. NC State dared Miami and King to push the ball down the field last Friday; the Hurricanes were more than happy to oblige.

King completed 31-of-41 pass attempts (75.6 percent) for 430 yards (10.5 yards per attempt), 5 touchdowns and zero interceptions. Playing without tight end Brevin Jordan, four different receivers caught 6+ passes and a touchdown toss from King.

In true dual-threat fashion, King also ran for 105 yards on 15 carries.

Next up: at Virginia Tech Tech, Saturday (11/14), 12:00 p.m.

Record: 6-1

 

No. 4 North Carolina

A rivalry game turned quickly into a laugher as North Carolina jumped out to a 28-0 lead early in the second quarter at Duke; by halftime, UNC led 42-10.

This was another opportunity for Javonte Williams to stretch out his legs and run all over an opposing defense: 12 carries, 151 yards (12.6 yards per carry) and three touchdowns. Williams also caught four passes, including a 2-yard pitch from Sam Howell; all four of his touchdowns came in the first half.

Williams now leads the FBS this season with three games of 150+ rushing yards and 2+ rushing touchdowns.

Next up: Wake Forest, Saturday (11/14), 12:00 p.m.

Record: 5-2

 

No. 5 Wake Forest

Riding a four-game winning streak, and coming off an open weekend, Wake Forest should be ready to roll against North Carolina. Break out the Book of Football Cliches, but Wake Forest-UNC seems destined to turn into a track meet. Can Wake Forest’s defense keep up with a UNC offense that ranks No. 9 nationally in efficiency, per ESPN, 12th in points per play (0.55)?

Next up: at North Carolina, Saturday (11/14), 12:00 p.m.

Record: 4-2

 

No. 6 Virginia Tech

Look, Virginia Tech performed a series of baffling football maneuvers in leverage situations, which potentially cost the Hokies a home win over Liberty. Attempts to “ice” opposing kickers should’ve been shelved years ago as a football tactic; however, if anyone tries this again after what happened to Justin Fuente and VT on Saturday, then, man, I dunno.

Next up: Miami, Saturday (11/14), 12:00 p.m.

Record: 4-3

 

No. 7 Boston College

You won’t score too many Cool Points for a 3-point win over Syracuse, but Boston College continues to push along. Now 5-3, can the Eagles and quarterback Phil Jurkovec — going up against his old team — play spoilers next week?

Next up: Notre Dame, Saturday (11/14), 3:30 p.m.

Record: 5-3

 

No. 8 NC State

Prior to Friday’s matchup with Miami, the last time NC State’s defense allowed 400+ passing yards and 5+ touchdowns in a single game came against Clemson and Tajh Boyd in 2012, when the Tigers hit the Pack up for 62 points.

On a positive note, Bailey Hockman and NC State’s offense were solid: 410 total yards, 7-of-12 on 3rd down conversions.

Next up: Florida State, Saturday (11/14), 7:30 p.m.

Record: 4-3

 

No. 9 Pittsburgh

Kenny Pickett returned to stabilize the offense (210 passing yards), but it was Pitt’s defense that carried the day in a blowout win over FSU. The Panthers harassed Florida State’s offense — resulting in three turnovers and seven sacks.

Next up: at Georgia Tech, Saturday (11/14), 7:00 p.m.

Record: 4-4

 

No. 10 Virginia

Massive game this week for UVA: Following an open weekend, can the Cavaliers make it two in a row after the upset win against UNC? Louisville has won four out of the last five against Virginia.

Next up: Louisville, Saturday (11/14), 3:30 p.m.

Record: 2-4

 

No. 11 Louisville

Despite the 2-5 record, Louisville remains inside the top 45 nationally in both ESPN’s FPI and the Sagarin rankings.

Next up: at Virginia, Saturday (11/14), 3:30 p.m.

Record: 2-5

 

No. 12 Georgia Tech

If the Yellow Jackets hope to make conditions suitable for freshman quarterback Jeff Sims, Georgia Tech will need another big-time performance from Jahmyr Gibbs against Pittsburgh.

Next up: Pittsburgh, Saturday, (11/14), 7:00 p.m.

Record: 2-5

 

No. 13 Syracuse

Syracuse has now lost five straight games, though last Saturday’s loss to Boston College was the smallest-margin defeat (-3) Cuse has had all season. So, I mean, at least there’s that.

Next up: at Louisville, Friday (11/20), 7:00 p.m.

Record: 1-7

 

No. 14 Florida State

Three different Florida State quarterbacks threw interceptions in the loss to Pittsburgh; this program simply cannot protect its quarterbacks, nor receive adequate QB play. It’s a bad combination. As a team, FSU averaged just over 3.5 yards per pass attempt vs. Pitt.

Folks, that’s not great. The offense is an absolute mess for coordinator Kenny Dillingham.

Next up: at NC State, Saturday (11/14), 7:30 p.m.

Record: 2-5

 

No. 15 Duke

At least Danny Dimes was victorious over the weekend.

Next up: Wake Forest, Saturday (11/21), 12:00 p.m.

Record: 2-6

 

Contributor Rankings

Brian GeisingerJosh GrahamConsensus
1Notre DameNotre DameNotre Dame
2ClemsonClemsonClemson
3MiamiMiamiMiami
4North CarolinaNorth CarolinaNorth Carolina
5Wake ForestWake ForestWake Forest
6Virginia TechVirginia TechVirginia Tech
7Boston CollegeBoston CollegeBoston College
8NC StateNC StateNC State
9PittPittPitt
10VirginiaVirginiaVirginia
11LouisvilleGeorgia TechLouisville
12SyracuseLouisvilleGeorgia Tech
13DukeFlorida StateSyracuse
14Florida StateDukeFlorida State
15Georgia TechSyracuseDuke

 

Read More on ACC Football Power Rankings

Notre Dame jumps to No. 2 in AP Rankings following home win over Clemson