We are almost halfway through the ACC schedule and have seen some teams surprise and others disappoint, yet no one has been able to knock the kings off the mountain.
As a conference the ACC has still underachieved on the season, but a couple of teams are showing some signs of life.
How does your team stack up against the competition?
Here’s a look at my latest ACC Power Rankings.
1. Florida State (6-0, 4-0 ACC, defeated Syracuse 38-20, Last Week-1)
Amidst all of the Jameis Winston off the field drama, the Seminoles have now racked up 22 straight victories. They haven’t looked like dominant champions to this point, but FSWU hasn’t had to. We will find out a lot about the Seminoles this week and if they get past Notre Dame, could have a clear path to the playoffs. Up Next Saturday vs. Notre Dame
2. Clemson (4-2, 3-1, defeated Louisville 23-17, Last Week-2)
The Tigers lost starting quarterback Deshaun Watson (broken finger), but still found a way to beat Louisville despite having no offensive touchdowns and 229 yards, its lowest yardage total since 2010. The Tigers can win with Cole Stoudt though and the nation’s 25th ranked offense is still going to get better. Up Next: Saturday at Boston College
3. Virginia (4-2, 2-0, BYE, Last Week-4)
With Georgia Tech’s loss, the Cavaliers sit at the top of the Coastal Division with a big division game against Duke on the horizon. The schedule could be tough for Mike London’s team down the stretch with Duke, Georgia Tech, Florida State, Miami, and Virginia Tech, so cutting down on the turnovers is going to be crucial. Up Next: Saturday at Duke
4. Duke (5-1, 1-1, defeated Georgia Tech 31-25, Last Week-8)
The Blue Devils ended a 10-game losing streak to Georgia Tech, keeping themselves in the thick of the Coastal Division race. David Cutcliffe’s team is for real and while all the talk surrounds the offense, the Blue Devils defense has only allowed 15.5 points per game. If that can continue it is not a stretch to think Duke can at least finish 10-2 on the season. Up Next: Saturday vs. Virginia
5. Louisville (5-2, 3-2, lost to Clemson 23-17, Last Week-5)
Once again Bobby Petrino’s team showed that their defense is simply outstanding. But once again they showed that their offense isn’t very good at all. Both Reggie Bonnafon and Will Gardner played quarterback on Saturday, but Petrino is going to need better play out of both. Up Next: Saturday vs. North Carolina State
6. Georgia Tech (5-1, 2-1, lost to Duke 31-25, Last Week-3)
The Yellow Jackets only turned the ball over four times all season before last week where they coughed it up three times in a loss to Duke. All three came from quarterback Justin Thomas (two interceptions). Up Next: Saturday at North Carolina
7. Virginia Tech (4-2, 1-1, BYE, Last Week-9)
Two straight wins for the Hokies followed by a weekend off should have Frank Beamer’s team feeling good heading into Thursday night’s matchup with Pitt. The Hokies can win out, but they are going to have to find some consistent offensive production, considering they are down to their fourth and fifth string tailbacks. Up Next: Thursday at Pitt
8. Miami (4-3, 1-2, defeated Cincinnati 55-34, Last Week-7)
We will find out more about the Canes next week, but look out as Miami is starting to become a balanced offense and is starting to find a rhythm. Brad Kaaya is starting to become a very efficient quarterback, which is allowing Duke Johnson to become a beast again. Don’t sleep on Miami. Up Next: BYE
9. Pitt (3-3, 1-1, BYE, Last Week-10)
Thursday night is a big test for Paul Chryst’s young Pitt team. After three straight losses, if Pitt loses to the Hokies, they have Georgia Tech and Duke following. It could be tough for the Panthers to get to six wins, which is sad after a promising start. Pitt needs better quarterback play from Chad Voytik and has to start finishing drives as they have outgained the opposition in two of their three defeats. Up Next: Thursday vs. Virginia Tech
10. Boston College (4-2, 1-1, defeated North Carolina State 30-14, Last Week-11)
Tyler Murphy has added another dimension to the Eagles offense and this team should be heading for a bowl game this season. Losses to Pitt and Colorado State still looking bad, but if Steve Addazio’s team can develop some consistency, they could be dangerous. Up Next: Saturday vs. Clemson
11. North Carolina State (4-3, 0-3, lost to Boston College 30-14, Last Week-6)
The Wolfpack have lost three straight and are 0-11 in ACC play under Dave Doeren. Jacoby Brissett has come back to reality and so have the Wolfpack who had everyone fooled for hanging with Florida State for a while. Up Next: Saturday at Louisville
12. Syracuse (2-4, 0-2, lost to Florida State 38-20, Last Week-12)
Just one touchdown in four red zone trips last week while turning the ball over three times. You aren’t going to win many games like that. So when does basketball season start? Up Next: Saturday at Wake Forest
13. Wake Forest (2-4, 0-2, BYE, Last Week-13)
The Deamon Deacons were off last week so we didn’t have to watch their bumbling offense falter. WF has scored only 13 points in their past two games and is averaging only 15.7 per game on the season. Yet they stay one spot out of the basement for a reason. Up Next: Saturday vs. Syracuse
14. North Carolina (2-4, 0-2, lost to Notre Dame 50-43, Last Week-14)
The Tar Heels stay in the bottom spot with good reason. That would be the numbers 70, 50, 34 and 50. That’s the amount of points their defense has allowed in four consecutive losses. On the year Larry Fedora’s squad is allowing 43.3 points per game. This team was ranked coming into the season and has too much talent to underachieve in the fashion that it has. Up Next: Saturday vs. Georgia Tech
Photo Credit: USA Today Sports
