By Will Vandervort.
So who is the best team in the ACC or at least who should be at the top? The Clemson Insider ranks the 14 teams in the ACC as they get set for Week 7.
1. Florida State (5-0, 3-0 ACC): The Seminoles might not be blowing people out like they did last year, but I don’t know if there is anyone in the ACC left on their schedule that can beat them either. Quarterback Jameis Winston leads the ACC with 332.5 yards per game. He also leads the league in passing offense, 322.0 yards per game.
2. Clemson (3-2, 2-1 ACC): As far as playing goes, no one in the ACC is playing better than Clemson. Florida State is only in first place because the Tigers forgot how to snap the ball and kick a few field goals in certain situations. The defense has been outstanding and Deshaun Watson just might be the best player on and off the field in the ACC. Yes, I was taking a shot at Jameis Winston. Let’s see if the young Mr. Watson can keep it up against Louisville this Saturday in Death Valley.
3. Georgia Tech (5-0, 2-0 ACC): Raise your hand if you had Georgia Tech and Virginia leading the Coastal Division six weeks into the season. The Yellow Jackets are playing well and this Saturday’s game against Duke will go a long way in deciding the division champion. Georgia Tech has won the last 10 meetings in the series.
4. Louisville (5-1, 3-1 ACC): The Cardinals have not been flashy or anything like that in their first year in the ACC, but they have been steady. They lead the nation in total defense and rushing defense and rank sixth in scoring defense. Louisville’s defense could be a tough test for the young Watson. The Cardinals could get playmaking wide receiver DeVonte Parker back when they come to Death Valley. But depending on the availability of quarterback Will Gardner, freshman Reggie Bonnafon could be starting for the third straight game.
5. Virginia (4-2, 2-0 ACC): Mike London has done a great job for the Cavaliers this year. At 4-2 and 2-0 in the ACC, they go into the week off with a lot of confidence and belief they actually can compete for a championship. Virginia travels to Duke next week.
6. Virginia Tech (4-2, 1-1 ACC): The Jekyll and Hyde of college football. They had a good game at North Carolina last week and go into their off week at 4-2 as well and feel a little better with themselves do to two straight victories.
7. Duke (4-1, 0-1 ACC): The Blue Devils are still a good football team, but with Georgia Tech already owning wins over Virginia Tech and Miami, this is a must-win game if they want to stay in the Coastal Division race.
8. Pitt (3-3, 1-1 ACC): The Panthers are off this week, but they are struggling after three straight losses to Iowa, Akron and Virginia. Pitt hosts Virginia Tech next week at Heinz Field. Running back James Conner still leads the ACC with 145.7 yards per game on the ground.
9. Boston College (3-2, 0-1 ACC): The Eagles option style offense lands in Raleigh this Saturday where they will battle a beat up NC State team that is coming off back-to-back defeats to Florida State and Clemson. BC leads the ACC in rushing with 316.8 yards per game on the ground. Quarterback Tyler Murphy is averaging 115.8 yards per game running the football.
10. Miami (3-3, 1-2 ACC): Running back Duke Johnson is averaging 104.2 yards per game, but unfortunately for him no one else is doing anything on offense. The Hurricanes rank 12th in rushing offense, ninth in scoring and 12th in total offense in the ACC.
11. NC State (4-2, 0-2 ACC): Reality set in on Dave Doeren’s crew last week as Clemson blanked the Wolfpack, 41-0, in Death Valley. Jacoby Brissett is fourth in the ACC in total offense, but he went only 4 of 18 last week against the Tigers for 35 yards. He was sacked three times and fumbled twice. He was held to 49 total yards against the Tigers after totaling nearly 400 the week before against the Seminoles.
12. Syracuse (2-3, 0-1 ACC): The Orange just is not very good. They have wins over Villanova and Central Michigan to start the year and have since lost three straight – all at home. It does not get any easier this week as the top-ranked Seminoles come rolling up to the Carrier Dome.
13. North Carolina (2-3, 0-2 ACC): You wonder how good the Tar Heels could be if they only had an average defense. North Carolina’s offense is putting up good enough numbers to win games, but the defense cannot stop a nose bleed. UNC is yielding 505.8 yards per game, nearly 110 yards more than 11th-ranked NC State. The scoring defense—the most important stat of all—is giving up almost 14 more points (42.0) than the next worst defense – again it is NC State. The ‘Pack is allowing 28.5 points per game.
14. Wake Forest (2-4, 0-2 ACC): As bad as North Carolina is on defense, the Demon Deacons are just as bad on offense. Wake Forest ranks last in the ACC in scoring offense, rushing offense and total offense. The Demon Deacons are barely averaging two touchdowns a game.