Only one unbeaten remains in the ACC following the first eight weeks of the season. Where does each team fall in our power rankings going into the final weekend of October?
1. Clemson
See, 58-0.
2. Duke
For the first time this season, Duke cracks the top two. It’s not that the Blue Devils have a higher ceiling than Florida State, but they’ve just been the more impressive team to this point. David Cutcliffe’s team is a win over Miami away from entering November with a 4-0 ACC mark.
3. Florida State
With an improved defense and one of the top running backs in the country, Florida State has looked like a top-15 team when playing its best football this season. The problem is, it rarely plays to its potential. The Seminoles had a poor showing in the first half against USF, struggled for the better part of 60 minutes against Boston College, won ugly at Wake Forest, trailed Louisville at half and fell short at Georgia Tech. The gap between FSU and the teams below it isn’t as great as it was in any of the last three seasons.
4. North Carolina
The only games that UNC hasn’t won by at least 13 points this year? A seven-point victory at Georgia Tech and a four-point loss to South Carolina. Has the schedule been light? Sure, but with the exception of the season opener against the Gamecocks, the Tar Heels have been beating lesser opponents in convincing fashion.
5. Pittsburgh
Pitt has already matched its win total of last season and will play four of its last five games at home. Outside of maybe Dabo Swinney, no ACC head coach has done a better job this season than Pat Narduzzi.
6. Louisville
After winning three of its last four, Louisville is slowly creeping back up our power rankings. The Cardinals opened up the season 0-3, but with upcoming matchups against Wake Forest, Syracuse and Virginia, there’s no reason why they shouldn’t be bowl eligible by mid-November.
7. Virginia Tech
The Hokies have been a major disappointment through eight games. They haven’t been getting blown out, but 3-5 is inexcusable.
8. NC State
NC State’s 15-point loss at Virginia Tech is the only reason the Wolfpack isn’t ranked ahead of the Hokies. Dave Doeren’s team has actually looked good, until it’s had to play good teams.
9. Georgia Tech
An argument can be made that the Yellow Jackets should be favored in their next three contests (at Virginia, Virginia Tech, at Miami). Don’t sleep on Georgia Tech’s bowl hopes just yet.
10. Miami
See, 58-0.
11. Syracuse
Syracuse’s three best performances this year were in games the Orange almost won. Almost.
12. Virginia
Since 2012, Virginia has taken Duke’s place at the bottom of the Coastal Division. This year is no exception.
13. Boston College
At least 11 ACC teams would be bowl eligible with Boston College’s defense. Unfortunately, Boston College isn’t one of them.
14. Wake Forest
When the highlight of your season is a 3-0 win over Boston College, you really have nowhere to go but up. Wake’s last two losses were embarrassing enough to drop the Demon Deacons below the Eagles.