ACC Power Rankings: Week 5

#1 Clemson (5-0, 2-0) (LW:#1):

Clemson survived a scare against Syracuse in a game where pretty much everything that could go wrong did, in fact, go wrong. Given all of the KB drama during the week, I had a feeling that Clemson being a 25 point favorite was a bit steep, but I wasn’t expecting what happened. Regardless, I’m proud of the team, especially Chase Brice. Also hope for Trevor Lawrence to have a speedy recovery. And I’m happy that ScElliot finally realized how effective feeding ETN is, and hope we continue seeing that.

#2 Miami (4-1, 1-0) (LW:#3):

Miami has sort of put things together after their opening week debacle, albeit against some inferior competition. The Canes destroyed UNC 47-10 on Thursday. Now they will host rival FSU.

#3 NC State (3-0, 1-0) (LW:#4):

The Pack knocked off UVA this week 35-21 to get their first conference win. Really hard to gauge this NC State team due to the lack of competition, but we’ll get a better look this weekend as the Pack host Boston College.

#4 Syracuse (4-1, 1-1) (LW:#5):

If you were looking for the definition of a “quality loss”, Syracuse’s loss at Clemson Saturday would have to be up there. I mean, yeah, they went toe to toe with a Clemson team being led by the guy who was QB3 last week and Clemson gave Cuse some gifts, but still, the Orange fought hard and you have to respect that. We’ll see if they continue to roll or if they do like last year and fall flat in typical Cuse fashion. The Orange head to Pitt this weekend for a good ol’ fashioned ACC show down.

#5 Boston College (4-1, 1-0) (LW:#7):

The Eagles bounced back this week by squeaking by Temple 45-35. Star RB AJ Dillon suffered an ankle injury that forced him to leave the game in the third quarter. His injury status will certainly be something to keep an eye on as the Eagles head to Raleigh for a matchup with #23 NC State.

#6 Virginia Tech (3-1, 2-0) (LW:#9):

This Hokie team is an enigma. One week they have a historically bad loss at Old Dominion, the next they’re upsetting a ranked Duke team (yes, I realize how weird of a sentence that is during football season). The Hokies can really make a statement this weekend as they host #6 Notre Dame at what should be an electric Lane Stadium.

#7 Duke (4-1, 0-1) (LW:#2):

Duke took a bit of a tumble after losing 31-14 to Virginia Tech in Durham. The Devils get a bye week this weekend to regroup.

#8 Wake Forest (3-2, 0-1) (LW:#8):

The Deacs got a nice shot in the arm in the form of a 56-24 win at Rice over the weekend. Wake hosts Clemson this weekend.

#9 Virginia (3-2, 1-1) (LW:#6):

The Cavs lost 35-21 at NC State. UVA will get a bye this weekend before Miami comes to town.

#10 Florida State (3-2, 1-2) (LW:#10):

The Noles survived in Louisville thanks to some boneheaded decision making from Bobby Petrino (more on that later). Now the Noles head to Miami for a rivalry showdown that doesn’t have much luster as it used to.

#11 Georgia Tech (2-3, 0-2) (LW:#13):

Paul Johnson’s squad had an offensive explosion to bear Bowling Green 63-17 (lol). Tech has a chance to win two in a row, and help the city of Atlanta get payback on Bobby Petrino when the Jackets head to Louisville this Friday night.

#12 Louisville (2-3, 0-2) (LW:#11):

Ooooh, boy did Louisville give away the game vs FSU. The Cards led 21-7 at the half, and held a 24-21 lead with 2 minutes left in the game and the ball, before Bobby Petrino elected to pass on first down, leading to an interception.

FSU proceeded to drive down the field and score a touchdown to win 28-24. The Cards host GT Friday in their “blackout game”.

#13 Pitt (2-3, 1-1) (LW:#12):

Pitt was blown out by UCF 45-14. Given Pitt’s tendency to upset highly ranked teams, the fact that UCF didn’t lose to them is finally making me question the validity of their status as defending national champs. Maybe the Knights aren’t elite enough to warrant a Pitt upset. Anyway, Pitt will now host rival Syracuse this Saturday.

#14 North Carolina (1-3, 1-1) (LW:#14):

UNC is bad. You already knew that, but Thursday’s beatdown by Miami was a good reminder of that. Good news Tar Heel fans, you don’t have to watch your team lose this weekend. UNC has a bye week, which means the folks in Chapel Hill want have to drown their sorrows in wine and cheese.