Let’s jump right into this week’s ACC Football Power Rankings, starting with (who else?) Trevor Lawrence and the Clemson Tigers.
No. 1 Clemson
There’s been plenty of hand-wringing over Trevor Lawrence this season, including injury concerns and efficiency questions. Well, over the last three weeks, Lawrence has gone 48-of-62 (77 percent) through the air for 769 yards (12.4 yards per attempt), nine touchdowns and zero interceptions. He’s also run for two touchdowns in that span, too.
For his career Trevor Lawrence has 28 TD passes and no interceptions in the red zone.
— Tim Bourret (@TimBourret) November 10, 2019
Clemson won those three games with a point differential of +142.
Up Next: Wake Forest
No. 2 Virginia
For the fourth time this season, Bryce Perkins led Virginia in passing and rushing during the home win over Georgia Tech on Saturday — his second straight 100-yard rushing performance.
Only two quarterbacks in college football have at least 2,000 passing yards and eight rushing TD’s on the season.
Jalen Hurts – Oklahoma
Bryce Perkins – Virginia— Danny Neckel (@DNeckel19) November 10, 2019
Up Next: Bye Week (Liberty, 11/23)
No. 3 Miami
Kudos to Jarren Williams, who has helped spark a late-season charge for Miami. During the win over Louisville, Williams became the first ACC player since Lamar Jackson in his Heisman Trophy season to throw for six touchdowns and no interceptions in the same game.
Remove three INTs in one bad quarter and Jarren Williams would have 16 TDs and no picks this year. Of course, if you remove three bad plays (4th and 17, missed PAT, missed easy FG), UM could be 9-1 after today
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) November 9, 2019
Up Next: at Florida International
No. 4 Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech has now won four out of its last five games. Justin Fuente and the Hokies travel to Charlottesville for a Nov. 30 showdown that could have serious Coastal Division implications.
I can’t believe I bailed on this team after Duke. They have shown a level of heart and resolve of a team MUCH older.
Justin Fuente deserves a world of credit for turning the program around after hitting rock bottom six weeks ago.
— Josh Parcell (@JoshParcell) November 9, 2019
Up Next: at Georgia Tech
No. 5 Pittsburgh
There are only three FBS teams that average at least four sacks per game: SMU (4.2), Pittsburgh (4.44) and Ohio State (4.56). Pittsburgh will need that pass rush to take flight this week when the Panthers host Sam Howell. (Miami ranks fourth in the nation with 3.7 sacks per game.)
Narduzzi says that safety Damar Hamlin will play Thursday vs UNC. #Pitt
— Josh Rowntree (@JRown32) November 11, 2019
Up Next: North Carolina (Thursday, 11/14)
No. 6 Wake Forest
Playing without Scotty Washington, Wake Forest’s offense never got going on Saturday at Virginia Tech. This was a rough game for Jamie Newman, who completed 45.7 percent of his passes and tossed two interceptions, too.
Up Next: at Clemson
No. 7 Louisville
After flying high for the last month or so, the Cardinals crashed down with a 52-27 loss at Miami. Louisville ran the ball for only 168 yards (4.8 yards per carry) against Miami — one of the team’s lowest totals this season. The Cards are now 0-3 when they run for less than 200 yards in a game this season.
Up Next: NC State
No. 8 North Carolina
North Carolina has beaten Pittsburgh every year since the Panthers entered the ACC — six straight. After 12 days off for both teams, Thursday night presents an interesting matchup in the Coastal.
Since 2013, UNC is the only Coastal Division team that Pittsburgh hasn't beaten. The Tar Heels are 6-0 against the Panthers. Pitt's last win was 19-17 in the bowl game in Charlotte in 2009.
— R.L. Bynum (@r.l.bynum on Threads) (@RL_Bynum) November 11, 2019
Up Next: at Pittsburgh (Thursday, 11/14)
No. 9 Florida State
Hats off to Odell Haggins — FSU was absolutely ready to play on Saturday. James Blackman threw for 346 yards — the second best outing of his career — and two touchdowns during the win at Boston College.
Odell Haggins has coached 3 career games & has as many road wins at FSU as Willie Taggart does & more career bowl wins.
That's…unbelievable & not something I thought I'd be typing this November.
— FSUhighlights (@FSUhighlights) November 9, 2019
Up Next: Alabama State
No. 10 Duke
Duke continues to struggle challenging its opponents with a limited vertical passing game. This was all too easy for Notre Dame’s defense on Saturday, winning 38-7. The Blue Devils have now dropped three straight games.
Notre Dame held Duke to 3.22 yards per play tonight. (61 plays, 197 yards). That’s also two touchdowns allowed by the Irish defense in the last two weeks.
— Pete Sampson (@PeteSampson_) November 10, 2019
Up Next: Syracuse
No. 11 Boston College
Entering last weekend with a 5-4 record, Boston College’s home game with Florida State presented a major opportunity. The Eagles, however, fell and head into the bye week at 5-5. The final two games of the regular season are both on the road, too: Notre Dame and Pittsburgh.
Up Next: Bye Week (at Notre Dame, 11/23)
No. 12 NC State
“What is a dramatic representation of NC State’s 2019 football season, Alex?”
the result of a scramble by Trevor Lawrence pic.twitter.com/E40pDkQx2w
— Seldom Used Reserve (@seldomusedres) November 10, 2019
Up Next: Louisville
No. 13 Georgia Tech
Even as Georgia Tech has managed to play friskier football late in the season, the strong play of running back Jordan Mason has mostly flown under the radar. Mason is a physical runner and one of the best in the ACC.
After Week 11, the most missed tackles forced on the ground:
1. AJ Dillon, BC – 71
2. Cam Akers, FSU – 67
3. Jordan Mason, Ga Tech – 60Most missed tackles forced after the catch:
1. Max Borghi, Wash State – 20
2. Kenneth Gainwell, Memphis – 15
3. Ronnie Rivers, Fresno St – 14— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) November 10, 2019
Up Next: Virginia Tech
No. 14 Syracuse
This hasn’t been a banner year for Syracuse, which is 0-5 in conference play with a point differential of -97.
Up Next: at Duke
Contributor Rankings
| David Glenn | Brian Geisinger | Josh Graham | Consensus | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clemson | Clemson | Clemson | Clemson |
| 2 | Miami | Virginia | Pitt | Virginia |
| 3 | Virginia | Miami | Virginia Tech | Miami |
| 4 | Virginia Tech | Virginia Tech | Virginia | Virginia Tech |
| 5 | Pitt | Wake Forest | Wake Forest | Pitt |
| 6 | Wake Forest | Pitt | Miami | Wake Forest |
| 7 | Florida State | Louisville | Louisville | Louisville |
| 8 | Louisville | UNC | UNC | UNC |
| 9 | UNC | Florida State | Duke | Florida State |
| 10 | Duke | Duke | Florida State | Duke |
| 11 | Boston College | Boston College | Boston College | Boston College |
| 12 | NC State | NC State | NC State | NC State |
| 13 | Georgia Tech | Georgia Tech | Georgia Tech | Georgia Tech |
| 14 | Syracuse | Syracuse | Syracuse | Syracuse |