If you missed this week’s action in the ACC, do not worry. All the craziness and movement across the league are represented in the below power rankings. From upsets to multiple teams now with their ACC title hopes on life support, the race to Charlotte just became much more complicated for everyone other than Miami and Wake Forest, the two best teams in the ACC by far. Let’s dive into what went on around the conference.
1. Miami
BYE
Next Matchup: SAT 7:00 p.m. vs Florida State
2. Wake Forest
WIN 38-14 @ NC State
Another dominant week for the Demon Deacons. The defense is looking better every week, and Gio Lopez continues to shine, as he threw for 303 yards and 3 touchdowns against NC State. Carlos Hernandez and Jack Foley are turning into one of the conference’s best wide receiver duos, catching 12 and 8 passes respectively and both eclipsing 100 yards receiving.
Next Matchup: SAT 10:30 p.m. @ California
3. Louisville
WIN 44-20 vs Florida State
What looked to be a disaster early on was flipped into a complete blowout in a matter of minutes. The game flipped on a fourth down stop when Isaac Brown ran 97 yards for a touchdown, and the Louisville offense never looked back after. Despite only 140 yards passing from the offense, Brown made up for it on the ground with a 235 rushing yard performance for 2 touchdowns. The ground attack paid dividends this game, as three different backs found the end zone. With Koen Entringer back in the secondary, the Louisville defense looked much better than in recent weeks, making it difficult for Florida State to do anything after the Seminoles went up 14-0. This victory pushes Louisville back up in the ACC power rankings, all the way back to No. 3.
Next Matchup: SAT 7:30 p.m. @ Syracuse
4. SMU
BYE
Next Matchup: SAT 12 p.m. vs Virginia
5. Clemson
BYE
Next Matchup: SAT 12 p.m. vs Charleston Southern
6. North Carolina
WIN 21-17 @ Pittsburgh
Bill Belichick got his first ever win against a ranked team, beating Pitt on the road. It was not the prettiest offensive performance, but that is to be expected with this North Carolina team. They made plays when they had to, including a go-ahead 75-yard touchdown pass to Shamar Easter. Another great outing from the North Carolina defense included 3 turnovers. The Tar Heels come in at No. 6 in this week’s ACC power rankings, with a run for the ACC title still in sight.
Next Matchup: SAT 3:30 p.m. @ Duke
7. Florida State
LOSS 44-20 @ Louisville
The road woes continue for Mike Norvell and Florida State. That is now both games this year on the road where the Seminoles have blown double digit leads. Everything went right in the first quarter, and then everything went wrong after that. This team is very inconsistent, showing flashes at times and then looking dysfunctional, most times in the same game. Florida State’s win over Virginia keeps them in the upper quadrant of the ACC power rankings for now, but with Miami next week, things could change drastically in the negative direction.
Next Matchup: SAT 7:30 p.m. @ Miami
8. Virginia
WIN 28-25 vs Syracuse
It was a good bounce back game for Virginia in their close win over Syracuse. The run game looked much better than it did against Florida State, as Jekail Middlebrook ran for 95 yards and 2 touchdowns. Beau Pribula, while still struggling in the passing game, found something with his legs as he ran for 32 yards. While the Virginia offense only had 288 yards of total offense, they found a way against Syracuse and righted the ship to avoid consecutive losses.
Next Matchup: SAT 12 p.m. @ SMU
9. Pittsburgh
LOSS 21-17 vs North Carolina
The concerns of losing Mason Heintschel for the season unfortunately showed themselves against North Carolina. A stagnant game for the running backs forced backup quarterback Holden Geriner to throw the ball 44 times, and he completed just 27 passes for 219 yards and 2 interceptions. The defense can only do so much to make up for offensive struggles, and the injury to Heintschel has made life much more difficult for the offense.
Next Matchup: SAT 12 p.m. @ Boston College
10. California
WIN 25-20 vs Virginia Tech
Cal had a different experience playing their backup quarterback, Colorado State transfer Jackson Brousseau. He went 29/43 passing for 321 yards and a touchdown, leading the Golden Bears to a victory over Virginia Tech. It was a back and forth game in the 4th quarter, which ended in Ashten Emory running in the game winning touchdown. What a way to regroup after not only losing to UNLV, but losing Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele for a few weeks in the process.
Next Matchup: SAT 10:30 p.m. vs Wake Forest
11. Virginia Tech
LOSS 25-20 @ California
Things are beginning to spiral for James Franklin and Virginia Tech after two straight losses. The Hokies have not been able to do the simple things correctly, including two more missed field goals by John Love, who has been known to be a reliable kicker. It has been an unfortunate turn of events for Virginia Tech, who had everything out in front of them to make a run for the ACC title. Now, all they can hope for is a run at the Pop-Tarts Bowl.
Next Matchup: SAT 3:30 p.m. vs Georgia Tech
12. NC State
LOSS 38-14 vs Wake Forest
Two upsets in two weeks did not become a reality for NC State. Their run game was nonexistent, recording 38 yards. Despite being ahead at halftime, NC State let Wake Forest torch them in the second half and run up the score on them. Sometimes that just happens against really good teams. The Wolfpack still have opportunities to finish as a 7-8 win team.
Next Matchup: Oct. 23 @ Stanford
13. Georgia Tech
WIN 28-25 vs Duke
What a turnaround for Georgia Tech! After being dead last in last week’s ACC power rankings, the Yellow Jackets came back and upset undefeated Duke. Alberto Mendoza finally found a groove for the offense, going 23/30 for 218 yards and a touchdown in the air. The defense also did a great job, being able to force Duke to be one dimensional through Nate Sheppard. Life has returned to Midtown Atlanta.
Next Matchup: SAT 3:30 p.m. @ Virginia Tech
14. Duke
LOSS 28-25 @ Georgia Tech
On the flip side, what a disaster for Duke. Their reliance on Nate Sheppard came back to bite them along with the defense not being able to get crucial stops. Duke makes the largest slide in this year’s ACC power rankings, from No. 4 to No. 14. Were they pretenders, or is this just a fluke performance for the Blue Devils? Next week against North Carolina will provide some answers to that question.
Next Matchup: SAT 3:30 p.m. vs North Carolina
15. Syracuse
LOSS 28-25 @ Virginia
Having to start former No. 1 recruit Malachi Nelson because of injuries to Amari Odom and Steve Angeli, there were mixed results. Syracuse was up 17-7, but blew the lead and had no response offensively until the very end of the game when it was too late. The Syracuse offense also outgained Virginia by 142 yards. Things are not looking good for the Orange as they continue to fight for air seeking bowl eligibility.
Next Matchup: SAT 7:30 p.m. vs Louisville
16. Boston College
BYE
Next Matchup: SAT 12 p.m. vs Pittsburgh
17. Stanford
LOSS 58-7 @ Notre Dame
Stanford claims the bottom spot in this week’s ACC power rankings after another beatdown. It is unfortunate because out of their four losses, three of those teams are ranked and two of them are in the top 5. Maybe the offense will be able to put up more than 200 yards against lower competition? That is the hope, of course. Playing against Elon Saturday will be an opportunity to reset before returning to ACC play.
Next Matchup: SAT 7:30 p.m. vs Elon
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