We are back for another week of ACC football.
Week 4 could be the worst week of the season, with most of the teams in the conference idle. Last week we saw a few good games and plenty of more injuries as ACC quarterbacks are dropping like flies.
Once again we have a new No. 1 team after previous No. 1 Georgia Tech lost to Notre Dame.
Here we go.
1. Clemson (3-0, 1-0 ACC; defeated Louisville 20-17, Last Week Ranking-2)
Despite barely squeaking by Louisville, the Tigers move into the top spot for the first time this season. It was an impressive performance from the Clemson defense, who allowed just 19 Louisville rushing yards while gaining 202 yards on the ground themselves. A conference road win on a short week isn’t easy and while it was close, it was enough to move the Tigers up to the top spot. Up Next-Idle
2. Florida State (3-0, 1-0, defeated Boston College 14-0, LW-3)
FSU’s offense managed only one touchdown and just 217 total yards in a close game against Boston College, but while their offense struggled, the Seminoles defense looked really good. Up Next-Idle
3. Georgia Tech (2-1, 0-0, lost to Notre Dame 30-22, LW-1)
The Yellow Jackets fall from the top spot after last week’s loss to the Fighting Irish. Losing to a tough Notre Dame team isn’t a terrible thing and Georgia Tech is still the team to beat in the Coastal Division. Up Next- Saturday at Duke
4. Miami (3-0, 0-0, defeated Nebraska 36-33, LW-4)
My how times have changed. Miami vs. Nebraska used to be billed as the Game of the Decade and sadly barely anyone knew the two teams played last Saturday. The Canes blew a 23-point fourth quarter lead, but survived to go 3-0 on the young season. QB Brad Kaaya and RB Joe Yearby give Miami a nice 1-2 punch. There are a lot of weapons on this Canes offense so don’t sleep on this team. Up Next-Idle
5. North Carolina State (3-0, 0-0, defeated Old Dominion 38-14, LW-8)
Matt Dayes and Shadrach Thornton are one of the best running back duos in the ACC and quarterback Jacoby Brissett has been pretty solid. But the Wolfpack, despite being 3-0, have had the softest non-conference schedule in the league. We will find out more about this team in the upcoming weeks. Up Next- Saturday at South Alabama
6. Virginia Tech (2-1, 0-0, defeated Purdue 51-24, LW-6)
Quarterback Brendan Motley, replacing the injured Michael Brewer, has been fairly solid. He hasn’t been making mistakes, which could be big for the Hokies going forward. Up Next- Saturday at East Carolina
7. North Carolina (2-1, 0-0, defeated Illinois 41-14, LW-12)
Marquise Williams threw for three TDs and also ran for 105 yards on Saturday. If the Tar Heels didn’t choke away their opener against South Carolina, they would be an impressive 3-0 and probably deserving of a much higher ranking. Up Next Saturday vs. Delaware
8. Boston College (2-1, 0-1, lost to Florida State 14-0, LW-11)
The Eagles’ defense certainly showed up on Saturday vs. Florida State, but that offense is brutally bad. BC leads the nation in total defense, but they will have to get more from their offense. That won’t be easy now that starting QB Darius Wade is now done for the season with a broken ankle. Up Next- Saturday vs. NIU
9. Pitt (2-1, 0-0, Lost to Iowa 27-24, LW-10)
The Panther suffered the first loss of the Pat Narduzzi era in heartbreaking fashion. Narduzzi has named a starting quarterback in Nate Peterman, but the bigger issue could be the running game. With James Conner out, Pitt managed just 55 rushing yards on 27 attempts Saturday vs. Iowa. Narduzzi will be leaning on Peterman’s arm. Maybe the junior can help put an end to a streak. Pitt has now lost 32 consecutive games in which it has trailed in the fourth quarter. That is unthinkable. Up Next-Idle
10. Duke (2-1, 0-0, lost to Northwestern 19-10, LW-5)
The Blue Devils defense looked good in Saturday’s loss, but quarterback Thomas Sirk was tested for the first time on the season and it did not go well. Duke finished just 3-of-17 on third-downs. They will have to fix that quick with Georgia Tech looming. Up Next- Saturday vs. No. 20 Georgia Tech
11. Syracuse (3-0, 1-0 ACC, defeated Central Michigan 30-27, LW-13)
This is the highest Syracuse has been ranked in a couple of seasons, but I wouldn’t expect it to last with LSU coming to town. Despite being 3-0 for the first time since 1991, the Syracuse defense is an issue as they gave up 430 passing yards and 30 first downs and was outgained 520-396 overall. Up Next-Saturday vs. No. 8 LSU
12. Louisville (0-3, 0-1, lost to Clemson 230-17, LW- 9)
The Louisville offense is a total mess. Bobby Petrino has started three quarterbacks in three games. The offensive line stinks and the running backs have nowhere to run. It could quickly turn into a long season for the only winless team in the conference. Up Next- Saturday vs. Samford
13. Virginia (1-2, 0-0, defeated William & Mary 35-29, LW-7)
I give Mike London credit for scheduling good, but this Virginia team is terrible. Virginia nearly blew a lead in the fourth quarter to William & Mary and there aren’t many positives to take away from the first three weeks of the season. Up Next- Friday vs. Boise State
14. Wake Forest (2-1, 0-1, defeated Army 17-14, LW-14)
Kendall Hinton came in at quarterback after an ankle injury to John Wolford and gave the Deamon Deacons a spark. They got their first win on a last-second field goal, but things are just going to get tougher from here. Up Next- Saturday vs. Indiana
Photo Credit: USA Today Sports
