ACC Power Rankings: Week 2

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

Welp, the Tigers barely came out with a win from College Station, but the key is we got the win. While the QB questions are quasi-answered (this is Kelly B’s team for now), there’s still some issues at OL and DB that need to be fixed. Regardless, Clemson is still the class of the ACC. Get ready for two weeks of triple option as the Tigers face Georgia Southern and Georgia Tech over the next two weeks.

#2 Virginia Tech (2-0) (LW:#2):

The Hokies followed up their great week 1 performance by running over in-state for William and Mary 62-17 (one point away from being perfect). The Hokies will Host ECU this weekend, who has been a thorn in the Hokies’ side in the past.

#3 Boston College (2-0) (LW:#3):

Choo chooo. The BC hype train is picking up speed as the Eagles beat Holy Cross 62-14. 62 was a popular number this week. Obviously BC hasn’t been taking on top notch competition, but scoring 55 points and 62 points in consecutive weeks is still noteworthy. BC will get a taste of ACC play as it takes on Wake Forest, who will be without their suspended QB, in Winston-Salem on Thursday.

#4 Miami (1-1) (LW:#4):

Miami bounced back with a 77-0 route of Savannah State. And the Canes got to bust out their pretty, new turnover chain.

Canes will take on Toledo this Saturday.

#5 Duke (2-0) (LW:#9):

Duke makes a huge jump in the rankings following their 21-7 win at Northwestern. You’ve got to respect that Duke is playing some decent non-conference teams and getting double digit wins over them instead of just beating up on FCS teams. The Devils will face Baylor on Saturday in Waco.

#6 NC State (2-0) (LW:#6):

The Pack had a slow start but were able to pull it together and beat Georgia State 41-7. Now they’ll get a real challenge when #14 West Virginia comes to town. After two lackluster starts against subpar competition, we should learn a lot about this NC State team on Saturday.

#7 Wake Forest (2-0) (LW:#11):

The Deacs beat up on Towson 51-20. Pretty good win, but hard to gauge too much from it. We’ll learn more about Wake Thursday when they play BC.

#8 Syracuse (2-0) (LW:#13):

As with Boston College, Syracuse has opened up the year flexing their offensive muscles against lesser opponents. This week the Orangemen (I still call them the Orangemen, deal with it) defeated Wagner 62-12. Cuse’s hot offense will get to face the struggling Florida State Seminoles this weekend at the Carrier Dome.

#9 Florida State (1-1) (LW:#4):

Oh man have the Seminoles had a forgettable start to the season. They opened with a bad Labor Day loss to Virginia Tech, and followed it up by barely beating Samford 38-28 in a contest the FCS Bulldogs lead for most of the game, including late into the fourth quarter. The Noles also debuted their response to Miami’s turnover chain.

Yep, the Noles are celebrating turnovers by putting on a backpack. Supposedly this represents “securing that bag” but it honestly looks cheesy, especially when you bust it out while barely beating a SoCon team. This isn’t just your run of the mill backpack though. It’s apparently designer.

We’ll see if the Noles “secure the bag” when they head up to New York to take on the hot Syracuse offense.

#10 Georgia Tech (1-1) (LW:#7):

Tech had one of the more surprisingly entertaining games this weekend. It ended in a 49-38 loss at South Florida. As a long suffering Atlanta Falcons fan, I’m sure this won’t be the only time this season a team from Atlanta disappoints in Raymond James Stadium. Paul Johnson and company will head to another NFL stadium this week as Georgia Tech opens conference play at Pitt.

#11 Louisville (1-1) (LW:#10):

The Cards bear Indiana State 31-7. Honestly, all I know about Indiana State is that their mascot is the Sycamores and Larry Bird played there. The Cards host Western Kentucky next weekend, so that should be another win for them.

#12 Pitt (1-1) (LW:#8):

After sweating out an opening week overtime game with App State, Penn State fans should be much happier after the Nittany Lions stomped Pitt 51-6 in Heinz Field. Pitt will open up ACC play this week by hosting Georgia Tech.

#13 Virginia (1-1) (LW:#12):

The Cavs dropped a 20-16 game at Indiana this weekend. Hoosiers-UVA would be must see tv in basketball season, but is just an afterthought during the fall. The Cavs look to bounce back this weekend by hosting Ohio.

#14 North Carolina (0-2) (LW:#14):

UNC football has had quite the forgettable start to the year. After dropping their fist game at Cal, the Heels were dominated 41-19 by ECU. Yes, that is the same ECU that lost to NC A&T last week. Things don’t get easier for the Tar Heels as defending the “National Champion” UCF Knights come to Chapel Hill this weekend.