ACC Power Rankings ahead of Week 4 of college football

275133747_4796292347117549_592518599057046758_nby:Jonathan Wagner•09/24/21•

Jonathan Wagner

One of the most interesting conferences in college football this season has been the ACC. Clemson has not looked like the national power that many expected it to be. Behind them, many teams that expected to be competitive in the ACC have struggled to begin the season. Ahead of Week 4 of the season, the latest ACC power rankings are here using ESPN’s FPI tool.

ACC Power Rankings, per ESPN’s FPI

1. Clemson Tigers: Clemson’s offense continued to struggle in Week 3 against Georgia Tech, scoring just 14 points in a 14-8 victory. The Tigers’ defense, though, has been spectacular early in the season. Clemson might not look as dominant as many thought they would be, but they still sit atop the ACC in the rankings and come in at fifth nationally. Next up is what should be an intriguing matchup at NC State.

2. North Carolina Tar Heels: After losing in week one, North Carolina has come back with consecutive victories, including a 59-39 win over Virginia in Week 3. The Tar Heels come in second in the ACC rankings and sit at 13th nationally. North Carolina travels to Atlanta to take on Georgia Tech on Saturday night.

3. NC State Wolfpack: The Wolfpack won 45-7 over Furman in Week 3 to improve to 2-1 on the season. NC State looks good early in the season, and it comes in at third in ACC power rankings and 22nd nationally. Clemson comes to town on Saturday, and NC State has been a trendy upset pick ahead of the matchup.

4. Virginia Tech Hokies: Virginia Tech was 2-0 heading into Week 3 but fell 27-21 in West Virginia on Saturday. The Hokies come in just behind NC State at fourth in ACC rankings and 23rd in the nation. Next up is a home date against Richmond on Saturday.

5. Pittsburgh Panthers: Like Virginia Tech, Pittsburgh also came into Week 3 at 2-0. The Panthers fell 44-41 to Western Michigan in a high scoring shootout in Week 3. Pittsburgh comes in at 25 in national power rankings, and a matchup against an undefeated New Hampshire team awaits in Week 4.

6. Virginia Cavaliers: Virginia fell to North Carolina in Week 3, but come in at 6th in ACC rankings and 28th nationally. The Cavaliers are looking to remain above .500 and earn their first win in ACC play on Saturday against Wake Forest.

7. Miami Hurricanes: Miami lost to Michigan State in Week 3, adding to a disappointing start to the season. The Hurricanes are 1-2 and were very close to being 0-3. One of the ACC’s most disappointing teams should get back on track at home on Saturday against Central Connecticut. Miami comes in at seventh in ACC rankings and 35th nationally.

8. Boston College Eagles: Boston College came away with a commanding 28-3 victory over a struggling Temple team in Week 3. The Eagles come in at eighth in ACC rankings and 42nd nationally. Next up is an intriguing home matchup against Missouri.

9. Wake Forest Demon Deacons: The Demon Deacons dominated against Florida State in Week 3, coming away with a 35-14 victory to improve to 3-0. Wake Forest comes in at ninth in ACC rankings and 54th nationally. The Demon Deacons travel to Charlottesville to take on Virginia on Saturday.

10. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets: The Yellow Jackets fought hard against Clemson, but the effort ultimately wasn’t enough. Georgia Tech is now 1-2 and sits at 10th in ACC rankings and 56th nationally. Things don’t get any easier in Week 4 against North Carolina.

11. Louisville Cardinals: Last Friday, Louisville had one of the most impressive wins of the weekend over UCF. The Cardinals defeated the Knights 42-35 to improve to 2-1, and now come in 11th in ACC rankings and 64th nationally. Louisville travels to Tallahassee to take on Florida State on Saturday.

12. Duke Blue Devils: Duke came out strong against Northwestern on Saturday, leading 21-0 after the first quarter. Northwestern fought back, but Duke ultimately won 30-23 to improve to 2-1. The Blue Devils come in at 12th in ACC rankings and 81st nationally. A home date against Kansas awaits in Week 4.

13. Florida State Seminoles: After a miraculous comeback effort fell short in Week 1, Florida State has continued to sputter and now sits at 0-3 after falling to Wake Forest in Week 3. The Seminoles are in major need of a victory, and they’ll look to get that against Louisville on Saturday.

14. Syracuse Orange: Syracuse is 2-1, but still find themselves at the bottom of the ACC rankings and 83rd nationally. The Orange defeated Albany 62-24 in Week 3. Next up is a very tough home matchup against an undefeated Liberty team.