ACC Football Power Rankings: Week 3

First and foremost, best wishes to everyone in the path of Hurricane Florence. Please continue to read the ongoing weather updates and make all necessary provisions. And if you wish to find any silver lining in this terrible situation, remember that the weather has given us an additional week of respite from what is shaping up to be one of the most excruciating seasons of Carolina football in quite some time.

Here are our Week 3 ACC Power Rankings. (For UNC’s ranking, please scroll down...)

#1 - Clemson

The Tigers got a real challenge in College Station this weekend, coming a two-point conversion away from heading to Overtime thanks to a furious last-minute rally by the Aggies. The Tigers have some questions to answer defensively after allowing Kellen Mond to chew them up to the tune of 430 yards. However, they rule the ACC, and until someone knocks them off, they remain at the top.

Next Up: Georgia Southern

#2 - Virginia Tech

If we were to ignore the reputation and pedigree of the programs, the Hokies might be atop this list. Through two weeks, the Hokies have arguablt played the best of any ACC squad, crushing William & Mary 62-17 this past weekend.

Next Up: ECU (grrrr....) (CANCELLED)

#3 - Miami

Talk about turning the page. One week after a decisive loss in Baton Rouge, the Hurricanes set a school record for victory margin with 77-0 drubbing of Savannah State. Yes, we know, Savannah State is woeful, and such games are about running up the score, but the Canes get to leapfrog their Tallahassee rivals as a result, so there’s that.

Next Up: @ Toledo

#4 - Florida State

If being routed by Virginia Tech wasn’t enough to raise concern for the ‘Noles, then a thoroughly unimpressive 36-26 win over Samford certainly will be. FSU hasn’t gotten it going at all so far this season and have a lot of issues to address, primarily on defense and on the offensive line.

Next Up: @ Syracuse

#5 - Boston College

The Golden Eagles are currently leading the ACC in scoring, having just put a beating on Holy Cross this weekend. They are yet to have faced a legit opponent however, which holds them back on this list.

Next Up: @ Wake Forest

#6 - Wake Forest

The Demon Deacons got a much easier win this weekend, dismantling Towson 51-20. They’ll get their first taste of conference play this weekend when high-scoring BC comes to Winston-Salem.

Next Up: Boston College

#7 - Syracuse

The Orange seemed to address their defensive issues this past weekend, allowing only 10 points to Wagner. Their offensive onslaught continued, however, as they put up 62 points. Their first major test of the season comes this weekend, when the Seminoles come calling.

Next Up: Florida State

#8 - Louisville

The Cardinals shook off their high-profile beatdown at the hands of the defending champions by bouncing back against Indiana State. The Cardinals will look to build momentum this weekend against an overmatched Western Kentucky.

Next Up: Western Kentucky

#9 - Duke

The Blue Devils got a solid road win over Northwestern, holding their opponents to just 7 points en route to a 24-point runaway. They’re yet to face high quality competition but they’ve dispatched a few minnows with relative ease. And Northwestern wasn’t even expected to be that bad!

Next Up: @ Baylor

#10 - Georgia Tech

The Yellow Jackets defense got quite the wake-up call this weekend. After pitching a shutout in their opener, GT was gashed for 49 points by Southern Florida. Conference play opens for them similar to how it did last year, with them visiting the Panthers.

Next Up: @ Pitt

#11 - NC State

Yeah, State should be higher. Their defense is looking strong. The Wolfpack put a beating on Georgia State last weekend. But it’s shaping up to be one of those years so we’re leaning into the bitterness early.

Next Up: West Virginia (CANCELLED)

#12 - Virginia

They just lost to Indiana. Indiana was 5-7 last year and aren’t any better this year. Indiana is famously not good. Virginia lost to them. Virginia is not good.

Next Up: Ohio University (CANCELLED)

#13 - Pittsburgh

In a vacuum, there isn’t any shame in getting beaten soundly by Penn State. Penn State is an excellent team that will once against contend for the Big Ten Championship. However, to be beaten THAT soundly, on your home field, and look so utterly lost while doing it, well, yeah that is cause for concern.

Next Up: Georgia Tech

#14 - UNC

If this was Premier League football, we’d be relegated by now.

Next Up: UCF (CANCELLED)