ACC Power Rankings
By: will-vandervort October 29, 2015

The Atlantic Coast Conference’s premiere game in the Atlantic Division between Clemson and Florida State is still a week way, but the Coastal Division race is wide open and it could become a little clear tonight. The first two games matching the current leaders will take place tonight (7 p.m.) when North Carolina visits No. 23 Pitt. The division’s other undefeated team, Duke, will host Miami on Saturday.

Clemson and Florida State remain one and two in the power poll, but Clemson has clearly separated itself from the rest of the pack and is the clear No. 1 team after last week’s beatdown of the Hurricanes in Miami.

  1. Clemson (7-0, 4-0 ACC), Last week No. 1: Clemson handed Miami its worse loss ever with its 58-0 victory last Saturday in Miami. It was also the Tigers largest margin of victory in an ACC road game and tied for the largest margin of victory of an ACC foe regardless of venue. The Tigers jumped to No. 3 in the Associated Press Poll this past week. Who is next: at NC State, 3:30 p.m., Saturday
  2. Florida State (6-1, 4-1 ACC), Last week No. 2: Georgia Tech ended FSU’s 28-game conference winning streak with its stunning 22-16 victory in Atlanta last week. The Seminoles’ win streak was the second longest in league history, one game behind it is 29-game win streak from 1992-’95. Who is next: vs. Syracuse, Noon, Saturday
  3. Duke (6-1, 3-0 ACC), Last week No. 3: The Blue Devils survived a crazy fourth-down catch in the end zone by Virginia Tech, a missed field goal at the end of the fourth quarter that could have won the game in regulation, and then four overtimes before finally getting past Virginia Tech. Who is next: vs. Miami, 7 p.m., Saturday
  4. North Carolina (6-1, 3-0 ACC), Last week No. 4: Quarterback Marquise Williams completed 22 of 26 passes for 226 yards, while running for 71 more in the Tar Heels win over Virginia. The Tar Heels are 3-0 in the ACC for the first time since 1997. Who is next: at No. 23 Pitt, 7 p.m., Thursday
  5. Pitt (6-1, 4-0 ACC), Last week No. 5: Head coach Pat Narduzzi became just the second head coach in ACC history to win his first four conferences games as a rookie head coach. Jeff Jagodzinski did it in 2007 as the head coach at Boston College. Who is next: vs. North Carolina, 7 p.m., Thursday
  6. Louisville (3-4, 2-2 ACC), Last week No. 7: The Cardinals continue to get better on defense. They had 14 tackles for loss in the win over Boston College. Quarterback Lamar Jackson is also getting better. He completed 15 of 25 passes for 230 yards in the win. Who is next: at Wake Forest, 7 p.m., Friday
  7. NC State (5-2, 1-2 ACC), Last week No. 9: Running back Matthews Dayes carried the ball 16 times for 205 yards, which was the fifth highest total in school history by a running back. Four of NC State’s five touchdowns in the win over Wake Forest went for 50-plus yards. The 35-17 win at Wake was the ‘Pack’s first win in Winston-Salem in 12 years. Who is next: vs. No. 3 Clemson, 3:30 p.m., Saturday
  8. Georgia Tech (3-5, 1-4 ACC), Last week No. 14: Preseason All-ACC pick Justin Thomas had a 60-yard touchdown against Florida State and also completed a long pass that allowed the Jackets to tie the game with 54 seconds to play. Defensive back Lance Austin’s 78-yard return of a block field goal on the game’s final play snapped the Seminoles 28-game ACC winning streak. Who is next: at Virginia, 3 p.m., Saturday
  9. Miami (4-3, 1-2 ACC), Last week No. 6: Head coach Al Golden was fired after the game. Clemson not only shutout the Hurricanes, but the defense gave up 416 rushing yards, while the offense managed just 53 on the ground. Who is next: at No. 22 Duke, 7 p.m., Saturday
  10. Virginia Tech (3-5, 1-3 ACC), Last week No. 8: Tight end Bucky Hodges had five catches for 101 yards and three touchdowns in the Hokies loss to Duke, which went four overtimes. Who is next: at Boston College, 12:30 p.m., Saturday
  11. Virginia (2-5, 1-2 ACC), Last week No. 10: Virginia safety Quin Blanding has 12 tackles, a forced fumble and an interception in their loss to the Tar Heels. Who is next: vs. Georgia Tech, 3 p.m., Saturday
  12. Syracuse (3-4, 1-2 ACC), Last week No. 11. Freshman quarterback Eric Dungey completed 21 of 30 passes for 210 yards and two touchdowns in the Orange’s near upset of Pitt. Who is next: at No. 17 Florida State, Noon, Saturday
  13. Wake Forest (3-5, 1-4 ACC), Last week No. 12: Wake ranks 111th in the nation in turnover margin, 115 in rushing offense and 119 in scoring offense. Thought it is better than last year, the Demon Deacons are 105th in total offense. Who is next: vs. Louisville, 7 p.m., Friday
  14. Boston College (3-5, 0-5 ACC), Last week No. 13: The Eagles no longer lead the nation in total defense, but that did not means linebacker Steven Daniels did not have a good game against Louisville. He had 11 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. Who is next: vs. Virginia Tech, 12:30 p.m., Saturday