ACC Power rankings
By: rmacrae@bellsouth.net October 15, 2014

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 8.

 

 

 

1. Florida State (6-0, 4-0 ACC), last week No. 1: The Seminoles will at least keep their No. 1 ranking for another week in the ACC despite falling in the national polls. FSU hosts fifth-ranked Notre Dame in a non-conference tussle on Saturday. However, you wonder how many more mulligans can Jameis Winston get before he is actually punished for something? The Seminoles are a much different team without Mr. Winston at quarterback.

2. Clemson (4-2, 3-1 ACC), last week No. 2: Even without freshman sensation Deshaun Watson, the Tigers had enough talent, especially on defense, to hold off Louisville and to remain No. 2 in the power rankings. But Saturday’s trip to Boston College, with quarterback Tyler Murphy, will be a big test for the Tigers.

3. Virginia (4-2, 2-0 ACC), last week No. 5: The Cavaliers were off last week and jumped up two spots, thanks to Louisville’s loss at Clemson and Georgia Tech losing at home to Duke. Speaking of the Blue Devils, the Cavaliers head to Wallace Wade Outdoor Stadium on Saturday.

4. Louisville (5-2, 3-2 ACC), last week No. 4: The Cardinals played neck-and-neck with Clemson and even though they are currently No. 4 in the power rankings, they will finish the season ranked No. 3. Mark it down; these red birds are the third best team in the ACC without question.

5. Duke (5-1, 1-1 ACC), last week No. 7: The Blue Devils Josh Sneed rushed for 102 yards and a touchdown, while the offense as a whole took advantage of three second-half turnovers to beat previously undefeated Georgia Tech last week. The Blue Devils snapped a 10-game losing streak to Georgia Tech with the win.

6. Georgia Tech (5-1, 2-1 ACC), last week No. 3: The Yellow Jackets fell apart in the second half as they turned the ball over three times and fell behind 31-12. Backup quarterback Tim Byerly delivered a pair of touchdown runs to pull the Yellow Jackets close with 5:04 to play, but Duke held on for a big Coastal Division win. Georgia Tech visits North Carolina this week.

7. Virginia Tech (4-2, 1-1 ACC), last week No. 6: The Hokies were off last week and this week they visit Pittsburgh for a key Coastal Division showdown. Both teams are 1-1 in the ACC. The Hokies are 20-7 on Thursday nights under Frank Beamer and 9-3 on the road.

8. Boston College (4-2, 1-1 ACC), last week No. 9: Quarterback Tyler Murphy rushed for 132 yards and scored two touchdowns to lead the Eagles to a 30-14 victory at NC State. BC rushed for 310 yards – the fourth time this season it went over the 300-yard mark on the ground. The Eagles finished the game with 411 yards. They host No. 22 Clemson on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

9. Pitt (3-3, 1-1 ACC), last week No. 8: The Panthers used the bye week in hopes to get over a three-game losing streak after starting the season with three straight wins. Pitt has won the last three meetings over Virginia Tech in Pittsburgh. The Hokies have not won at Pitt since 1999.

10. Miami (4-3, 1-2 ACC), last week No. 10: Running back Duke Johnson became the Hurricanes’ career rushing leader, while quarterback Brad Kaaya threw three touchdown passes and ran for another in Miami’s impressive 55-34 victory over Cincinnati. Johnson finished the game with 162 yards, while Joe Yearby added 113 yards. It was the first time since 2003 that two Miami running backs rushed for at least 100 yards in the same game. Miami is off this week before visiting Virginia Tech on Oct. 23 for a Thursday Night date in Blacksburg.

11. NC State (4-3, 0-3 ACC), last week No. 11: Boston College held the Wolfpack to 43 yards on the ground, while sacking quarterback Jacoby Brissett four times, forcing two fumbles and shutting them out in the second half. Brissett was also intercepted in the third quarter, ending his streak without an interception at 187 passes. NC State visits Louisville on Saturday.

12. Syracuse (2-4, 0-2 ACC), last week No. 12: Freshman quarterback Al Long threw two touchdown passes to fellow freshman Steve Ishmael in the Orange’s 38-20 loss to top-ranked Florida State. Ishmael’s touchdowns were from 22 and 35 yards out. He finished the day with three catches overall for 93 yards. The Orange play at Wake Forest on Saturday.

13. North Carolina (2-4, 0-2 ACC), last week No. 13: North Carolina gave No. 5 Notre Dame all it could handle, but in the end quarterback Everett Golson threw three touchdown passes to lead the Irish to victory in the highest scoring contest in the history of Notre Dame Stadium, 50-43. The 50 points marked the third time this season the Tar Heels have allowed an opponent to score 50 or more points in a game. UNC is allowing 43.3 points per game. The Tar Heels host Georgia Tech on Saturday.

14. Wake Forest (2-4, 0-2 ACC), last week No. 14: The Demon Deacons got a much needed week off as they get back into conference play this week as Syracuse comes to town. The loser of this game will more than likely take control of last place in the ACC power rankings. Too bad there isn’t a No. 1 draft pick to go to the loser like the NFL does it. This will be Wake Forest’s first ACC home game under first-year coach Dave Clawson.