Another week is in the books and it is time to unleash my first ACC Power Rankings of the year.
The Miami Hurricanes made a big statement over the weekend with and upset over then No. 12 Florida, which was the biggest win of the week for the conference, who already has a couple of big out of conference victories through two weeks.
Where does that leave the Pitt Panthers, who had a week off?
Let’s not waste any time and find out.
1. Clemson (2-0, 0-0 ACC): After their huge opening week victory against Georgia, the Tigers didn’t have a letdown in Week 2, pummeling South Carolina State 52.13. Their win over the Bulldogs is the biggest win of any ACC team through two weeks and they are showing signs of being legitimate national championship contenders. Clemson is an easy choice for the top spot. Up Next: at North Carolina State, Thursday September 19.
2. Florida State (1-0, 1-0): The Seminoles had the week off after quarterback Jameis Winston put on a show against Pitt. We will see if the youngster can build off a near perfect performance this week. Up Next: vs. Nevada, Saturday September 14.
3. Miami (2-0, 0-0): Are the Hurricanes back? Saturday’s win against then No. 12 Florida may suggest so. But despite moving up to No. 15 in the latest AP Poll, I wouldn’t put them in the class of Clemson or Florida State just yet. Up Next: vs. Savannah State, Saturday September 21.
4. Georgia Tech (1-0 0-0): The only sample we have of the Yellow Jackets is them putting up 70 points against Elon in Week 1. We will find out much more about them the next five weeks when they take on Duke, North Carolina, Virginia Tech, Miami and BYU. Up Next: at Duke, Saturday September 14.
5. Virginia Tech (1-1, 0-0): Quarterback Logan Thomas has not looked good, but the Hokies defense appears to be for real. However it is hard to get excited over a win against Western Carolina. Up Next: at East Carolina, Saturday September 14.
6. North Carolina (1-1, 0-0): Despite a win against Middle Tennessee, you have to be very concerned about the Tar Heels defense at this point. They have a week to figure it out before beginning conference play. Up Next: at Georgia Tech, Saturday September 21.
7. Maryland (2-0, 0-0): The Terps start 2-0 and have beaten their first two opponents by a combined score of 90-20. Don’t get too excited over that though as Maryland has opened up with two very weak opponents in Florida International and Old Dominion. Keep an eye on quarterback C.J. Brown though, who has looked great in his return from a knee injury. Up Next: at U Conn, Saturday September 14.
8. Virginia (1-1, 0-0): Virginia got destroyed by Oregon, but that’s not a bad loss. They do have a good win under their belt already after beating BYU to open the season and they enter the soft part of their schedule beginning next week. Up Next: vs. VMI, Saturday September 21.
9. Duke (2-0, 0-0): The Blue Devils got a nice road win on Saturday against an improved Memphis team behind backup quarterback Brandon Connette. That matches the amount of road games Duke won a season ago. It gets much tougher this week though. Up Next: vs. Georgia Tech, Saturday September 14.
10. Boston College (2-0, 1-0): It may have only been Wake Forest, but Friday’s win was a huge one for new coach Steve Addazio as the Eagles have matched their win total from last year already. They are running the ball well and playing physical football. Boston College may still not be ready to compete in the tough ACC, but they may not be a pushover either. Up Next: at USC, Saturday September 14.
11. North Carolina State (2-0, 0-0): The Wolfpack struggled to beat Richmond on Saturday as they turned the ball over four times and watched quarterback Pete Thomas struggle against the FCS Spiders. That’s not a good sign with Clemson on tap next. Up Next: vs. Clemson, Thursday September 19.
12. Wake Forest (1-1, 0-1): So much for Wake Forest being better this season with a veteran team. They got manhandled up front by Boston College and looked just as bad on offense where they continue to struggle to run the football. Up Next: vs. Louisiana-Monroe, Saturday September 14.
13. Pitt (0-1, 0-1): The Panthers got their “Welcome to the ACC” moment on Labor Day, but likely got their toughest game of the season out of the way early. We will find out more about Paul Chryst’s team in the next couple of weeks. Up Next: vs. New Mexico, Saturday September 14.
14. Syracuse (0-2, 0-0): The Orange has likely played the toughest two games of any ACC team as they opened up with two FBS teams in Penn State and Northwestern, but their defense looked awful Saturday against the Wildcats. They also benched quarterback Drew Allen against Northwestern as the senior has thrown six interceptions already. Up Next: vs. Wagner, Saturday September 14.
Photo Credit: Sports Illustrated
