ACC Power Rankings: Week 3
By: will-vandervort September 15, 2016

There was a lot of moving in this week’s TCI Power Poll, except at the top where Clemson is still the No. 1 team despite its awful play against Troy. However, that could change next week depending on the outcome of the Florida State at Louisville game on Saturday.

The biggest move this week was Wake Forest’s jump from No. 12 to No. 8 after last week’s win at Duke. The Blue Devils fell to No. 12 in the poll, while Pitt jumped North Carolina at No. 5 after its big win over Penn State last week.

Georgia Tech moved up one spot to No. 7, while Boston College advanced No. 10 after being ranked No. 13 last week.

Here is this week’s TCI ACC Power Rankings.

  1. Clemson (2-0, 0-0 ACC), Last week 1: Yes, the Tigers looked awful last week. But they have the best overall talent in the ACC and the offense will get things going. Once that happens, the Tigers will be unbeatable. Circle what Deshaun Watson said earlier this week. It could be the turning point on this already young season. Who’s next: vs. S.C. State, Saturday, noon
  2. Florida State (2-0, 0-0 ACC), Last week 2: Florida State still has questions on the offensive line. The Seminoles were lucky Chad Kelly was a head case or they would have lost to Ole Miss. If the Seminoles beat the Cardinals, then they will be No. 1 next week. Who’s next: at No. 10 Louisville, Saturday, noon.
  3. Louisville (2-0, 1-0 ACC), Last week 3: The Cardinals have been the best looking team so far, but there are still questions and let’s face it, Charlotte and Syracuse are not exactly elite programs. It’s easy to make plays and throw touchdowns when guys are running wide open down the field. Let’s see how they do against the Seminoles. Who’s next: vs. No. 2 Florida State, Saturday, noon.
  4. Miami (2-0, 0-0 ACC), Last week 4: The Hurricanes have looked solid in their first two games under Mark Richt, and have been playing the best football of any team on the Coastal side of the conference. Who’s next: at App State, Saturday, noon
  5. Pitt (2-0, 0-0 ACC), Last week 6: The Panthers have looked solid as well and last week’s win over Penn State was impressive. James Conner looks like the best running back in the ACC right now. Defense needs to tighten up, especially in the second half after blowing a three-touchdown lead. Who’s next: at Oklahoma State, Saturday, 3:30 p.m.
  6. North Carolina (1-1, 0-0 ACC), Last week 5: Beating up on Illinois on the road was a nice bounce back win for the Tar Heels. This week will be an easy win as well as the offense seems to be getting in gear. Who’s next: vs. James Madison, Saturday, 3:30 p.m.
  7. Georgia Tech (2-0, 1-0 ACC), Last week 8: The Yellow Jackets are 2-0 and they should move to 3-0 before No. 3 Clemson comes to down next Thursday in Atlanta. We will find a lot out about Paul Johnson’s team in that game. Georgia Tech has had Clemson’s number in Atlanta. Who’s next: vs. Vanderbilt, Saturday, 12:30 p.m.
  8. Wake Forest (2-0, 1-0 ACC), Last Week 8: How the Demon Deacons? They went to Duke and beat the Blue Devils, 24-14, last week. Without a doubt it was the best when for head coach Dave Clawson since he came to Wake Forest in 2014. Who’s next: vs. Delaware, Saturday, 6:30 p.m.
  9. Virginia Tech (1-1, 0-0 ACC), Last week 9: Nine lost fumbles in two games. You don’t need to say anymore. The Hokies five fumbles led to 31 Tennessee points in last week’s loss to the Vols. Virginia Tech had seven fumbles all of last year. Who’s next: vs. Boston College, Saturday, 3:30 p.m.
  10. Boston College (1-1, 0-1 ACC), Last week 13: The Eagles have no problem winning non-conference games, but can they go to Blacksburg, Virginia this week and beat the Hokies. Remember when this game used to be the marque game in the ACC? Boy, times have changed. Who is next: at Virginia Tech, Saturday, 3:30 p.m.
  11. NC State (1-1, 0-0 ACC), Last week 10: What do you get when you run your mouth and disrespect an opponent like NC State did last week to East Carolina. You get beat. You wonder if the Wolfpack learned their lesson. Who is next: vs. Old Dominion, Saturday, 6 p.m.
  12. Duke (1-1, 0-1 ACC), Last week 7: Did not see the home loss to Wake Forest coming. Obviously, the quarterback situation at Duke is worse than we thought. Who’s next: at Northwestern, Saturday, 8 p.m.
  13. Syracuse (1-1, 0-1 ACC), Last week 11: The Orange look much better on offense this year under Dino Babers. However, the defense has taken a major step back. Syracuse lacks a lot of talent on that side of the ball and it will be hard to keep with the ACC’s top teams until that is fixed. Who’s next: vs. South Florida, Saturday, 3:30 p.m.
  14. Virginia (0-2, 0-0 ACC), Last week 14: The Cavaliers competed against Oregon last week, but in the end, the same issues on defense keep creeping up on them. Like Babers at Syracuse, Bronco Mendenhall has a lot of work to do in Charlottesville. Who’s next: at UConn, Saturday, 1:30 p.m.