Week three of the college football season is now complete, and the ACC had some highs (How about Boston College?!) and lows (Really Hokies?)
Let’s take a closer look at where the teams stack up in the power rankings as we head into Saturday’s games.
1. Florida State (2-0, 0-0 ACC, Bye, Last week-1)
The defending National Champion Seminoles will stay at number one until someone can knock them off the perch. Can the Clemson Tigers be that team? The Noles get the Tigers at home, and with two weeks to prepare since their win over The Citadel, they should be in position to open their conference schedule with a big win. Up next: Saturday vs. Clemson
2. Clemson (1-1, 0-0 ACC, Bye, Last week-4)
How did Clemson jump up to second this week coming off a bye? With so much time to prepare, this talented group has had plenty of time to prove they are worthy of the ranking. The defense is fast and athletic, and Jameis Winston is due for a game where he struggles. I’m not calling the upset, but I think Clemson could pull this one off on the road. Up next: Saturday @ FSU
3. Pittsburgh (3-0, 1-0 ACC, defeated Florida International 42-25, Last week-5)
Yes Pitt fans, I did consider moving the 3-0 Panthers to second in the rankings. However, a less than impressive win against FIU and the continued struggles of Chad Voytik and the passing attack have me skeptical. A wounded Iowa team comes into Heinz Field with one of the top rushing defenses in the nation and I expect them to challenge Voytik to beat them with his arm. A win Saturday and things start getting very interesting. Up next: Saturday vs. Iowa
4. Duke (3-0, 0-0 ACC, defeated Kansas 41-3, Last week-6)
Wins against Elon, Troy, and Kansas will not necessarily have people talking national championship, but the reality is David Cutcliffe can flat out coach. One again the Blue Devils look like a team that is going to score in bunches, and with another cupcake coming this weekend in Tulane, we will likely have to wait until a late September trip to Miami to know if this team can repeat for Coastal Division dominance. Up next: Saturday vs. Tulane
5. Virginia (2-1, 1-0 ACC, defeated Louisville 23-21, Last week-9)
We knew Mike London could recruit, but many people, including yours truly, openly questioned whether he was capable of getting the job done in Charlottesville. After a huge win against Louisville at home this past weekend, coupled with a hard fought loss to UCLA, the Cavaliers look like they might be taking the next step. After playing their first three at home, now the Cavaliers must travel to Provo to play an outstanding BYU team. A loss could make this ranking very much a one week thing. Up next: Saturday @BYU
6. Virginia Tech (2-1, 0-0 ACC, lost to East Carolina 28-21, Last week-2)
After an impressive road win at Ohio State, VT was unable to shake off the emotions of a big win and beat a lesser team at home. ECU is certainly a decent team, but there is no way you should lose a game like this if you plan on winning the ACC. Frank Beamer’s Hokies are notorious for these type of slip ups, and this one leaves a mark indeed. Up next: Saturday vs. GA Tech
7. Louisville (2-1, 1-1 ACC, lost @ Virginia 23-21, Last week-3)
I am still fairly bullish on the Cardinals, they stumbled on the road to Virginia, but Virginia has an outstanding defense, so we might be able to forgive this hiccup long term this season. Bobby Petrino may not be the most likable coach in football, but he can flat out coach, especially on offense. This team will be in the mix, and a trip to FIU should allow them to get back on the win column. Up next: Saturday @FIU
8. Boston College (2-1, o-1 ACC, defeated USC 37-31, Last week-11)
After opening up the ACC season with a nationally televised Friday night loss to Pitt at home, the Eagles pulled off an emotionally charged 37-31 upset of the No.9 ranked USC Trojans in Chesnut Hill. In a game dedicated to BC alum and 9/11 hero Welles Crowther, the Eagles fans adorned red bandanas and helped spark a huge upset. Florida transfer Tyler Murphy led a dominant BC rushing attack that amassed a eye popping 452 yards on the ground.
Maybe just an emotional win that will not carry over the remainder of the season? Quite possible, but Steve Addazio has this team playing hard, and they will be a tough out the rest of the way. Up next: Saturday vs. Maine
9. Miami (2-1, 0-1 ACC, defeated Arkansas State 41-20, Last week-8)
Gotta wonder if Al Golden wishes he would have pursued that Penn State job a little harder eh? I begrudgingly give the Hurricanes the No. 9 spot, but I don’t love the ranking, or the team. Plenty of athletes, but this team is missing something, and Golden looks like a fish out of water trying to lead this program. Two wins against cupcakes, and absolutely dominated by Louisville, not exactly impressive. I’ll wait to really drop the hammer, but a trip to play a mediocre Nebraska team awaits Saturday and will tell us a lot. A loss to the Huskers would really hurt. Up next: Saturday @ Nebraska
10. North Carolina (2-0, o-0 ACC, Bye, Last week-8)
Any UNC fans balking at this ranking will have plenty of opportunities to prove me wrong. Their schedule coming off this past week’s bye is BRUTAL. Let’s start the tough run of games with a trip to East Carolina, a team fresh off an impressive upset of Virginia Tech in Blacksburg. Up next: Saturday @ East Carolina
11. North Carolina State (3-0, 0-0 ACC, defeated South Florida 49-17, Last week-12)
Arguments could be made that NCST should be ahead of both UNC and Miami after an impressive win at USF. Ultimately we need more evidence, as wins against Georgia Southern and Old Dominion are not enough to prove this Wolfpack squad is very good. Hosting Presbyterian at home certainly will not bolster any arguments this ranking is too low. After Presby, Florida State and Clemson await. Up next: Saturday vs. Presbyterian
12. Georgia Tech (3-0, o-0 ACC, defeated Georgia Southern 42-38, Last week-10)
Wofford? Tulane? Georgia Southern? Come on guys, is this the best you can muster up? The schedule alone provides enough reasoning for this ranking, but add that they have not looked particularly impressive in any of those three wins and that’s enough for me. A trip to Blacksburg awaits, so we will see if the Yellow Jackets can win against real competition Up next: @ Va Tech
13. Syracuse (2-0, 0-0 ACC, Bye, Last week-13)
Thank God for two cupcakes to start the season, Wake Forest, and basketball season. Yeah, when does basketball season start at Syracuse? At least there’s that. The Orange can shut me up for a week with a win at home versus Maryland, but just for a week. Up next: vs. Maryland
14. Wake Forest (1-2, 0-0 ACC, lost @ Utah State 36-24, Last week-14)
Remember the days when Jim Grobe had this team winning in the ACC? Remember when this program went to the Orange Bowl? Those memories are fading fast, and Dave Clawson has a LOT of work to do to even think about getting back to those days of old. This team is not good, not good at all. Up next: Saturday vs. Army
(Photo Credit: Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
