ACC Power Rankings ahead of Week 5 of college football

James Fletcher IIIby:James Fletcher III•09/30/21•

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ESPN’s Football Power Index updated its ACC power rankings based on their performance heading into Week 5. The new power rankings provide an updated look at where each team stands within the conference and how they stack up nationally.

Clemson remains on top despite a Week Four loss against NC State. The Wolfpack somehow stay put after the upset win as Pittsburgh catapults toward the top of the ACC power rankings. Florida State continues its descent to the bottom of the conference as the Seminoles below Syracuse ahead of their Week 5 meeting.

ACC power rankings

1. Clemson

Still on top of the ACC, Clemson only falls to No. 5 in the country after its second loss. The FPI gives the Tigers a 24.1% chance to win out and just a 28.4% chance to win the conference. Clemson’s chances to make the College Football Playoff continue to tail off at 10.1%.

2. Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh padded its resume with a road win over Tennessee in Week 2, then bounced back from a bad Week 3 loss to dominate New Hampshire. The Panthers rank No. 16 in the country and have a 17.9% chance to win the ACC.

3. NC State

NC State ranks No. 18 in the country after a big win over Clemson. The Wolfpack move to second-favorite in the conference, still behind Clemson by 4.5%. ESPN gives NC State just a 3.2 percent chance to win out in the conference.

4. North Carolina

North Carolina suffered its second loss as it desperately holds onto a top-25 spot. The Tarheels still rank No. 23 in the country but have the seventh-best odds to win the conference. ESPN’s FPI also has eliminated North Carolina from playoff contention.

5. Miami

Miami’s first loss against Alabama would have been easier to swallow without another nonconference loss against Michigan State. The Hurricanes rank No. 24 in the country but have just a 0.4% chance of winning out, according to ESPN’s FPI.

6. Wake Forest

Wake Forest, the No. 32 team in the nation, is the last ACC team with a chance to make the playoffs, albeit a .1% chance. The Demon Deacons are one of two undefeated teams in the ACC rankings heading into Week 5, but have just a 6.4% chance to win the conference.

7. Georgia Tech

Georgia Tech continues to climb the ACC power rankings and sits No. 33 in the country with an upset win over North Carolina to follow up their close loss against Clemson. Standing at 2-2 heading into Week 5, the Yellow Jackets have a 53.4% chance to become bowl eligible with six wins.

8. Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech started the season 3-1, including a win over North Carolina. The Hokies now rank No. 37 in the country. Virginia Tech is projected to win seven games this season with an 86.9% chance of becoming bowl eligible.

9. Boston College

Boston College is undefeated early in the season but stills ranks No. 46 in the country. The Eagles do hold a 97.0% chance of becoming bowl eligible but have been given no chance to finish the season undefeated.

10. Virginia

With two-straight losses, Virginia has fallen to No. 50 in the country. The Cavaliers are given a 0.5% chance to win the ACC, according to ESPN. They now have just a 50.1% chance to win six games.

11. Louisville

Louisville is now 3-1 with its only loss coming against a top-25 Ole Miss team. The Cardinals rank No. 58 in the country and have a 77.2% chance of making a bowl appearance. However, Louisville is given just a 0.9% chance to win the ACC heading into Week 5.

12. Duke

Duke is now 3-1 to start the season but has a negative FPI rating. The ranks No. 76 in the country and is the last team with a shot at topping the ACC rankings going into Week 5, despite its 0.1% chance. The Blue Devils also hold a 38.2% shot at bowl eligibility.

13. Syracuse

Syracuse continues to rise nationally, up to No. 78 after Week 4. The Orange will meet with Florida State in Week 5 for a critical battle to stay off the bottom of the conference. Syracuse is currently projected to win five games but has a 31.9% chance at winning a sixth.

14. Florida State

Florida State is the only winless team in the conference and ranks No. 81 in the country. Now on the bottom of the ACC, Florida State has no chance to win its division or its conference. The Seminoles have a projected win total of 2.4 and hold just a 0.3% of making it to bowl season.