ACC Power Rankings: Week 8

#1 Clemson (7-0, 5-0) (LW:#1)

Slow start for the Tigers, but then a pretty matter of fact 45-10 win at Louisville. Twitter has given us a lot of takes on Andrew Booth throwing the punch, so I’ll throw my opinion into the ring. It was a dumb mistake and Dabo made the right call getting him off the field. If you want to sit him a game or two that’s fair, but no need to do anything too extreme. Booth seems like a good dude and will learn from it. It wasn’t a good look, but it isn’t as big a deal as people are making it. Even all around good guy Christian Wilkins made that same mistake in the Dolphins’ game at Buffalo. It happens. Learn from it. Move on.

#2 Notre Dame (5-1, 2-0 vs ACC) (LW:#2)

No Notre Dame football this past weekend. Irish will take on Michigan under the lights in Ann Arbor on Saturday.

#3 Wake Forest (6-1, 2-1) (LW:#4)

The Deacs survived a close game from a hapless Florida State squad, as Willie Taggart’s seat is hot enough to fry an egg on. Wake has this weekend off.

T#4 Virginia (5-2, 3-1) (LW:#6)

Virginia crushed Duke 48-14. Both teams wore a special helmet decal to celebrate the 150th anniversary of College Football.

Not that big of a fan of the CFB logo replacing the team logo. I liked what Texas did, incorporating the 150 into a throwback look similar to what they wore for the 100th anniversary of College Football.

The Wahoos head to Louisville on Saturday.

T#4 Pitt (5-2, 2-1) (LW:#5)

Once again Pitt dominated early, let its opponent creep back in, but held on for the win. Pitt got the 27-20 win over Syracuse, and Damar Hamlin did his best Ben Boulware impersonation.

Pitt hosts Miami on Saturday.

#6 North Carolina (3-4, 2-3) (LW:#3)

North Carolina fell short in an epic six overtime game with Virginia Tech. It was the first time that we got to see the new OT rule in effect where each team goes for two after the fifth OT. We also got a nice trip down memory lane.

UNC hosts Duke Saturday.

#7 Duke (4-3, 2-2) (LW:#7)

Duke was dominated by UVA 48-14. Devils face North Carolina Saturday.

#8 Virginia Tech (5-2, 2-2) (LW:#12)

After that six OT victory, Virginia Tech is just one game away from extending their bowl streak, something that almost was broken last year. Hokies have this weekend off to prep for Notre Dame.

#9 Louisville (4-3, 2-2) (LW:#8)

Gotta give props to the Cards for hanging around with Clemson for a half. Louisville hosts Virginia this week.

#10 Boston College (4-3, 2-2) (LW:#11)

Boston College ran for 429 yards against NC State. Yes, ran for that. AJ Dillon got 223 yards by himself on the ground, while David Bailey had 181. Dillon is good, but those are absurd numbers. Eagles come to Clemson this weekend.

#11 NC State (4-3, 1-2) (LW:#9)

As mentioned before, Boston College ran all over NC State en route to a 45-24 win. I’m now really intrigued to see what Travis Etienne and company can do against that run defense in a few weeks. NC State has a bye this weekend.

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

Syracuse came short in their comeback bid against Pitt. The Orangemen head to Tallahassee Saturday.

T#13 Miami (3-4, 1-3) (LW:#13) Georgia Tech (2-5, 1-3) LW(#15)

Given how Georgia Tech defeated Miami, I didn’t feel like I could justify having them fully jump the Canes, but I had to do something to note this win. If you didn’t see it, Miami and Georgia Tech went to overtime, and Miami trailing by a touchdown went for it on 4th down, appeared to have gotten it, and even after review appeared to have gotten it, but the refs spotted the ball short.

If you’re Tech, you’ll take any win you can get. If you’re Miami and you are mad about this, well then maybe don’t go to overtime with Georgia Tech. This game caused me to have a new revelation.

In the SEC, Vanderbilt has become a popular road trip because Nashville is a fun city and you can get cheap tickets to watch your team probably win. Is this what Miami has become? The city would be an amazing trip, tickets are plentiful, and Miami is playing at a bad level. Plus they’re both private schools that don’t really fit in with their conference. The only thing keeping this from being a perfect comparison is that Nashville is reasonably close to most of the SEC while Miami is a further trip for ACC teams sans FSU. But still, food for thought. Miami plays at Pitt Saturday, the Yellow Jackets have a bye.

#15 Florida State (3-4, 2-3) (LW:#14)

Florida State lost 22-20 to Wake Forest and normally I’d say that’s impress that they held on so tight against a ranked Wake team, but then you see how their final drive went.

Florida State has way too much talent to be playing like this. Earlier in the game Willie Taggart essentially iced his own kicker with a ill timed timeout. Florida State hosts Syracuse this weekend. Fans seem fed up with this team, so don’t be shocked if it’s a half empty stadium.