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 9.
1. Florida State (7-0, 4-0 ACC), last week No. 1: It was offensive pass interference. It was the correct call and it keeps Clemson’s hopes for a possible Orange Bowl bid alive. Tiger fans should be pulling for the Seminoles to stay undefeated every week.
2. Clemson (5-2, 4-1 ACC), last week No. 2: That was a huge win for Clemson at Boston College more than the average fan or the national media realizes. Some of the Tigers’ lofty goals are still there for the taking, but they have to stay undefeated the rest of the way. Playing Syracuse and Wake Forest the next couple of games should help keep the momentum going.
3. Duke (6-1, 2-1 ACC), last week No. 5: The Blue Devils are playing as well as anyone in the ACC right now. They backed up a good win at Georgia Tech with a strong victory against Virginia. Duke control its own destiny to the ACC Championship Game as long as it wins out.
4. Louisville (6-2, 4-2 ACC), last week No. 4: I was surprised to see the Cardinals give up two touchdown passes to an NC State offense that struggled to score in consecutive weeks against Clemson and BC and had 10 players on its two-deep depth chart suspended for their role in BB gun gate. Nonetheless, a win is a win and the Cardinals are now bowl eligible. Wide receiver DeVante Parker returned from injury to catch nine passes for 132 yards in his first action of the season.
5. Virginia (4-3, 2-1 ACC), last week No. 3: The Cavaliers host a big matchup this week if they hope to stay in the ACC Coastal race as they play UNC for the 119th time. Virginia was predicted by the media to finish last in the Coastal Division back in July.
6. Pitt (4-3, 2-1 ACC), last week No. 9: The Panthers got a big win against Virginia Tech last Thursday night and are now right in the thick of the Coastal Division race. With Georgia Tech and Duke coming to Heinz Field in the next two weeks, Pitt has an opportunity to grab control of the division.
7. Georgia Tech (5-2, 2-2 ACC), last week No. 6: This Saturday’s game at Pitt will be huge for the Yellow Jackets who have let games against Duke and at North Carolina slip through their fingers the last two weeks.
8. Virginia Tech (4-3, 1-2 ACC), last week No. 7: Who was that team that beat Ohio State earlier this season? They weren’t the team that lost to Pitt last Thursday night. Right now the Hokies have perhaps the worst offense in the ACC. It is also one that is turnover prone. Quarterback Michael Brewer has made Logan Thomas’ performances the previous three years look legendary in comparison too.
9. Boston College (4-3, 1-2 ACC), last week No. 8: The Eagles proved against Clemson they have an opportunity to be a good football team. The defense is strong and physical and quarterback Tyler Murphy is never an easy out. Both will give BC opportunities to win several more games.
10. Miami (4-3, 1-2 ACC), last week No. 10: The Hurricanes had a week off to prepare for tonight’s game at Virginia Tech. This game used to be one of the more anticipated matchups in the country, but now it is relegated to see which one can stay out of the ACC Coastal Division cellar. Both were the preseason choices to win the Coastal Division by most of the media back in July.
11. North Carolina (3-4, 1-2 ACC), last week No. 13: Beating the Yellow Jackets was a good win by the Tar Heels and maybe it can help them gain momentum as they head to Virginia this Saturday. UNC’s defense is not good, but it has forced 16 turnovers this year, while returning three of them for scores.
12. Syracuse (3-4, 1-2 ACC), last week No. 12: With a new offensive coordinator at mid-season and freshman quarterback starting for the first time, last week’s win at Wake Forest was a good one for the Orange. The problem, however, is that an offense with a banged up offensive line and skilled players, must protect quarterback A.J. Long against a Clemson defense that is playing better than anyone in the country right now.
13. NC State (4-4, 0-4 ACC), last week No. 11: The Wolfpack has fallen on hard times. After starting the year 4-0, they have now lost four straight games and have a 12-game ACC losing streak as they go into a much needed off-week. They’ll visit Syracuse on Nov. 1 to try and end both losing streaks.
14. Wake Forest (2-5, 0-3 ACC), last week No. 14: The Demon Deacons rank last in the ACC in scoring offense, total offense and rushing offense. They also rank next to last in third down conversions at 27.9 percent. It’s hard to imagine Wake winning a conference game this year.