Last week’s results against Virginia did not improve the rankings for the North Carolina Tar Heels. A big upset on Friday the 13th shook up the rankings, allowing for a new team to reach the top spot. Take a look at the ACC Power Rankings for Week 8.
1. Miami 5-0 (3-0)
Despite playing a game or two less than most of the conference, and needing two straight weeks of last-minute rallies, the unblemished record of the Hurricanes places them at the top of the ACC Power Rankings. Against Georgia Tech last week, Miami receiver Darrell Langham once again was the hero. With 42 seconds left in the game on a 4th and 10, Langham brought down a tipped ball against double coverage to keep Miami’s drive alive. Four plays later with four seconds left in the game, the Hurricanes hit a 24-yard field goal to win by one.
2. Clemson 6-1 (4-1)
For the second year in a row, an undefeated and second-ranked Tigers team lost as overwhelming favorites on the road to a former Big East school. This year’s upset loss to Syracuse happened a few weeks earlier than last year’s loss to Pitt, and may have bigger poll implications than a season ago. Last year, there was just one undefeated team ahead of Clemson in the polls. This year, undefeated teams take up the top five spots in the poll. There is still plenty of time left for the Tigers and their College Football Playoff hopes, though.
3. NC State 6-1 (4-0)
Although NC State’s most disappointing loss of the decade came on Friday, the Wolfpack rallied in the second half against Pitt to stay undefeated in conference play. With Clemson’s loss to Syracuse, NCSU sits atop of the Atlantic Division and is in the driver’s seat for a division title and ACC Championship Game berth for the first time ever. They have a week off before big games against Notre Dame and Clemson.
4. Virginia Tech 5-1 (1-1)
The Hokies are coming off a bye week and will host the Tar Heels this Saturday. It should be a good opportunity for VT to keep pace with Miami and Virginia in the Coastal.
5. Georgia Tech 3-2 (2-1)
The two losses for the Yellow Jackets this season were both by one point and have come against ranked teams. Although the Tennessee loss looks worse and worse each week, the last-second loss to Miami proved they can hang with talented teams. However, with remaining contests against Clemson and Virginia Tech, it will not be easy for GT to contend for the division.
6. Virginia 5-1 (2-0)
The ‘Hoos are on their way back to a bowl and will stay in the Coastal conversation for a bit. Virginia improved their passing yards allowed national rank to 10th after holding UNC to just 46 passing yards. On the offensive side of the ball, UVA continued to be effective through the air, with quarterback Kurt Benkert passing for 249 yards and two touchdowns last Saturday. The Cavaliers will have a great opportunity to stay undefeated in conference play this week against Boston College.
7. Syracuse 4-3 (2-1)
And that is why you play the game. On Friday the 13th, the Orange took down the second-ranked team in the country. Syracuse quarterback Eric Dungey was named ACC Player of the Week for his performance against Clemson. He passed for 278 yards, ran for 61 yards, and threw three touchdown passes. The Orange can be another giant killer this weekend against No. 8 Miami.
8. Florida State 2-3 (2-2)
Florida State thrived on the ground with 228 yards, but struggled through the air with two interceptions against Duke. The Blue Devils scored late in the third quarter to tie the ballgame at 10. A few possessions later in the fourth, freshman Cam Akers broke off a 42-yard run to put the Noles ahead for good. In what was thought to be a big time game during the offseason, FSU will host Louisville for a noon kickoff this Saturday.
9. Louisville 4-3 (1-3)
It was a wild fourth quarter in Kentucky last Saturday. Louisville and Boston College combined for 38 points in the final 15 minutes during last week’s game. However, BC hit a 27-yard field goal as time expired to give the Eagles the three-point win. Louisville’s 625 yards of offense was not enough, especially when giving up 555 yards against BC.
10. Wake Forest 4-2 (1-2)
After a week of rest, the Demon Deacons travel to Georgia Tech for a primetime Saturday night game. Wake is on the path to bowl eligibility, and an upset win against Georgia Tech makes that a whole lot easier.
11. Duke 4-3 (1-3)
After four straight wins to start the season, the Blue Devils are on a three-game losing streak. Duke will be favored over Pitt this week at home, however Pitt may pose a tough challenge if the Panthers can put together a full 60 minute effort.
12. Boston College 3-4 (1-3)
The Eagles earned their first conference victory of the year this past weekend against Louisville. Against the Cardinals, they rushed for 364 yards, 32 more yards than Lamar Jackson had through the air. After Virginia’s performance against the run versus Carolina, perhaps BC can pull the upset against the Cavaliers by relying on the run.
13. Pitt 2-5 (0-3)
Catastrophic plays and special teams doomed Pitt against NC State in the first half. Even with those errors, the teams were tied at 14 heading into the half. Much like their efforts against Clemson last year, if everything is clicking for Pitt, they might be able to put together a win this Saturday in Durham.
14. North Carolina 1-6 (0-4)
Although the reasons driving the results are different, this year is beginning to look a lot like the 2006 season. The coaching staff must find a way to maintain morale and look towards building for the future.