Miami suffered their first defeat of the season but holds their top spot in the ACC power rankings for another week. Several teams were idle this weekend, but it was still an exciting slate around the ACC.

1. Miami

LOSS 31-24 @ Notre Dame

Miami did not look sharp on either side of the football as they suffered their first loss of the season. The Hurricanes were down 24-3 in the third quarter and clawed their way back into the game, but ultimately fell short. Darian Mensah looked off beat and had a lackluster performance that included a costly interception. The run game was not a factor and never got going. Following this defeat, Miami hosts Duke in what will be an emotional game for Mensah.

Next Matchup: SAT noon vs Duke

2. Wake Forest

WIN 77-0 vs Merrimack

With Gio Lopez being held out of this game, Steele Pizzella got his first career start at quarterback and shined, completing 23 of 28 passes for 432 yards and 3 touchdowns, while adding 62 yards rushing. Jack Foley led the receiving game with 6 receptions and 162 yards in the blowout. A 98 yard pick six was the exclamation mark on this game for Wake Forest, who is looking to do anything that will make the College Football Playoff committee put more respect on them.

Next Matchup: SAT noon @ SMU

3. SMU

WIN 51-28 vs Virginia Tech

SMU’s offense finally broke out against a good opponent. 569 yards of total offense were recorded as Kevin Jennings completed 24 of 32 passes for 350 yards and 4 touchdowns. The Mustang defense recorded 4 sacks and 2 turnovers in a valiant effort. A matchup with Wake Forest is a must win game to keep ACC title hopes alive.

Next Matchup: SAT noon vs Wake Forest

4. Louisville

WIN 44-17 @ Georgia Tech

Louisville handled Georgia Tech easily, leading to their fourth consecutive win. While the run game was dormant, both Tre Richardson and Treyshun Hurry had 104 total yards and combined for 3 touchdowns as the top receivers. 4 sacks and an interception defensively marked a good afternoon for the Cardinals.

Next Matchup: 7:00 p.m. @ North Carolina

5. Duke

WIN 41-3 @ NC State

Duke has outscored their opponents 88-5 in their last two games. Most of this offensive success can be contributed to Nate Sheppard, who continues to put up absurd stat lines. Sheppard ran for 217 yards against NC State and scored 3 times. It feels like we are talking about him every week as he continues to shine as the nation’s best running back.

Next Matchup: SAT noon @ Miami

6. Virginia Tech

LOSS 51-28 @ SMU

Virginia Tech’s defense had no answer for SMU in the Friday night loss. They gave up multiple explosive plays and let SMU convert on 8 of 12 third downs. The Hokie offense was not bad and had 417 total yards, but they just could not keep up with SMU to turn the game into a shootout and are now on the outside of the ACC championship picture.

Next Matchup: SAT 7:30 p.m. vs Stanford

7. Clemson

WIN 18-13 @ Syracuse

Despite what the scoreboard showed at the end, Clemson dominated Syracuse in this game. Their defense led the way, scoring Clemson’s only touchdown from a fumble return and also recording an interception late in the fourth quarter. Clemson remains in the group of 2 loss ACC teams vying for a spot in Charlotte.

Next Week: SAT 12:30 p.m. vs Georgia Tech

8. Florida State

WIN 31-24 @ Boston College

The Seminoles looked like a completely new team with Rick Stockstill taking over as interim head coach. They played a composed and consistent game throughout which led them to their first road win since 2023. Two more wins and Florida State will be going to a bowl game.

Next Matchup: FRI 7:00 p.m. @ Pittsburgh

9. Syracuse

LOSS 18-13 vs Clemson

Syracuse kept within a close margin the whole game and while they did not allow an offensive touchdown, their own offense was dormant. Steve Angeli completed only 18 of 40 passes and turned the ball over twice. Syracuse’s only touchdown came with three minutes to play and they did not get the ball back afterwards. A complete offensive shift from the last few games.

Next Matchup: SAT noon @ NC State

10. North Carolina

WIN 38-21 @ UConn

Rebounding off of a two game losing streak, North Carolina went to UConn and won handily. Billy Edwards Jr completed 29 of 38 passes for 255 yards and 3 touchdowns, while Benjamin Hall had over 100 yards rushing with a touchdown himself. Timir Hickman-Collins had a great game defensively, with a 62 yard pick six and a fumble recovery.

Next Matchup: SAT 7:00 p.m. vs Louisville

11. Pittsburgh

BYE

Next Matchup: FRI 7:00 p.m. vs Florida State

12. Boston College

LOSS 31-24 vs Florida State

Despite jumping out to an early lead, Boston College let Florida State hang around and let up the lead in the fourth quarter when their offense went quiet. Bo MacCormack III was a major part of this game, as he ran for 106 yards and a touchdown, while adding 24 receiving yards. Boston College goes to Notre Dame Saturday looking to stun the country.

Next Matchup: SAT 3:30 p.m. @ Notre Dame

13. NC State

LOSS 41-3 vs Duke

NC State had an awful game on every side of the ball. Their offense only had 217 total yards, their defense allowed 461 total yards, and their kicker went 1 for 2 on field goals, scoring the Wolfpack’s only points of the game. It was an all around forgettable performance for NC State.

Next Matchup: SAT noon vs Syracuse

14. Virginia

BYE

Next Matchup: SAT 3:30 p.m. vs California

15. Stanford

BYE

Next Matchup: SAT 7:30 p.m. @ Virginia Tech

16. California

BYE

Next Matchup: SAT 3:30 p.m. @ Virginia

17. Georgia Tech

LOSS 44-17 vs Louisville

Brent Key played both Alberto Mendoza and Grady Adamson again at quarterback, looking for an answer that was not given in another blowout loss. Georgia Tech’s defense did nothing to stop Louisville’s offense and recorded only one tackle for a loss. Another loss means another week at the bottom of the ACC power rankings for Georgia Tech.

Next Matchup: SAT 12:30 p.m. @ Clemson

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