ACC Power Rankings: Week 7

#1 Clemson (6-0, 3-0) (LW:#1):

Was there a better time for Clemson to have their bye week than this week? College football got weird and not having to worry about Clemson getting caught in the madness was very nice. It was also good to have a week off after a nearly flawless performance against Wake to prepare for NC State on Saturday

#2 Notre Dame (7-0, 3-0 vs ACC Teams) (LW:#2):

Notre Dame somehow survived Pitt’s magic, escaping with a 19-14 win in South Bend. It’s really hard to hold this against ND because going toe to toe with highly ranked teams is very much on brand for Pitt. Still, I’m not sold on the Irish, but, much like Clemson, Notre Dame’s remaining schedule sets up favorably for them. They’ll get a bye week this weekend before facing Navy.

#3 NC State (5-0, 2-0) (LW:#3):

NC State had a bye this past weekend, avoiding the madness as well. They come to Clemson this week for a game that will unfortunately neither have Gameday or be at night.

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

Duke knocked off Georgia Tech in what would have been a rather boring 28-14 win, except for one thing: NERD FIGHT!!!

Yes, two of the ACC’s finest academic institutions watched their teams trade blows in a post kickoff scrap. This came on the same day that Vanderbilt and Florida cleared the benches while their head coaches (and Todd Grantham) engaged in a shouting match. This all occurred during the 12 o’clock slot, which should’ve tipped us off that we were in for a wild day of football.

Duke will host Virginia this weekend.

#5 Boston College (5-2, 2-1) (LW:#7):

The Eagles knocked off lowely Louisville 38-20 in Chesnut Hill Saturday. The Eagles will have this weekend off before hosting Miami for a Friday night game.

#6 Syracuse (4-2, 1-2) (LW:#6):

After back to back emotional losses to Clemson and Pitt, Cuse had a bye week. They have a good shot to get back on the winning side of things as they host UNC this week.

#7 Miami (5-2, 2-1) (LW:#4):

Miami ended up being the ACC’s biggest victim of the weekend, dropping a 16-13 decision to UVA in Charlottesville. This means that Va Tech sits atop the coastal at 3-0, while UVA and Miami occupy second place, with the Cavs having the tie breaker. And yes, the potential that Clemson could get to beat up on UVA, or as Frank Howard called them, “the white meat of the schedule,” in the ACC championship makes makes me very happy. The Canes have this weekend off before heading to Boston College

#8 Va Tech (4-2, 3-0) (LW:#8):

The Hokies edged out downtrodden UNC 22-19 in Chapel Hill. VT will also have a bye week this week before their Thursday night “Techmo Bowl” game with Georgia Tech in Blacksburg.

#9 Virginia (4-2, 2-1) (LW:#12):

The Cavs pulled off the big upset over Miami, which gives us this fun stat.

Honestly had no clue that UVA was this successful against the U, but given the state of that program before Mark Richt, it isn’t overly shocking. As for UVA, with VA Tech looking vulnerable this year, this could be a huge opportunity for the Cavs to break their 14 game losing streak to the Hokies in November. But, there’s still a lot of football to be played before then. This week, UVA will head to Duke.

#10 Pitt (3-4, 2-1) (LW:#10):

Shoddy field goal kicking prevented Pitt from pulling off what would’ve been the day’s best upset against #5 Notre Dame. Despite sitting at 3-4 overall, Pitt is in a three way tie for second place in the Coastal. Pitt has this weekend off before hosting Duke.

#11 Florida State (3-3, 1-3) (LW:#11):

The Noles have a bye weekend following their tight loss to Miami. FSU will host Wake Forest on Saturday.

#12 Georgia Tech (3-4, 1-3) (LW:#9):

Georgia Tech followed up their offensive explosion against Louisville by laying an egg at home against Duke. Paul Johnson’s seat has to be getting hotter by the week. GT has a bye this week before playing VT on a Thursday night in Blacksburg. A win there could do a lot to keep the pressure off of Johnson for at least a week.

#13 Wake Forest (3-3, 0-2) (LW:#13):

The Deacs had a bye week to prepare for their showdown at FSU this weekend.

#14 North Carolina (1-4, 1-2) (LW:#14):

UNC showed some signs of life Saturday, barely losing to VT 22-19 in Chapel Hill. The good news for Tar Heels: Kelly Bryant was in the house on a recruiting visit.

yep That would be a huge get for the Tar Heels, even if it’s just for a season. The Heels go to Syracuse on Saturday.

#15 Louisville (2-5, 0-4) (LW:#15):

The dumpster fire that is University of Louisville football continues as the Cards lost to BC 38-20 over the weekend. Louisville has this weekend off before hosting Wake Forest.