ESPN ranks ACC Football teams from first to last after Week 8

Despite a loss to Louisville in Week 8, Miami remains the favorite to win the ACC. Still, there’s plenty of turmoil to comb through beyond the Hurricanes. ESPN has updated their ACC rankings, and the list included a couple surprises.

The rankings are based on ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI). FPI is “a predictive rating system designed to measure team strength and project performance going forward.” It does not rate teams based on their résumé, but instead lists teams in a power ranking style.

The system will certainly leave some fans upset this week, even though there was a couple of changes. With so much to cover, let’s dive into ESPN’s latest ACC rankings, beginning with the aforementioned Miami Hurricanes.

1. Miami Hurricanes (9)

Miami quarterback Carson Beck threw four interceptions, and the Hurricanes were doomed as Louisville played the upstart in this one. It was clear early on that it would be closer than the experts predicted.

The Hurricanes certainly had their chances, but self-inflicted mistakes cost them against the Cardinals. While the loss puts a serious dent in Miami’s résumé, the Hurricanes still have everything in front of them.

2. Louisville Cardinals (25)

What a win it was for Louisville over Miami. The Cardinals defense came to play against the vaunted Hurricanes offense, picking off Heisman contender Carson Beck four times.

On the offensive side of the ball, Miller Moss tossed two touchdowns and didn’t turn the ball over, accumulating 248 yards. At 5-1, the Cardinals will turn their attention to Boston College this weekend. 

3. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (26)

Georgia seems like they’re going to be here for the long haul and contend for the CFP. The Yellow Jackets are 7-0 on the season following a 27-18 win over Duke in Week 8.

Haynes King threw for 205 yards and ran for another 105 on the ground and had a touchdown. In a 10-10 game in the fourth quarter, Georgia Tech outscored the Blue Devils 17-8 to get the victory over Duke.

4. SMU Mustangs (29)

SMU has rebounded nicely from their 2-2 start to the season. They’ve won three consecutive games, getting some revenge on Clemson in South Carolina over the weekend.

Kevin Jennings has been playing well, and the Mustangs look primed to make another run at the whole shebang in the ACC. Next up is a trip to Winston-Salem, where they’ll take on Wake Forest.

5. Florida State Seminoles (33)

It’s been a swift change in momentum for Florida State since their Week 1 win over Alabama. The Seminoles looked primed for a College Football Playoff run, but four straight losses have dimmed their light.

They fell by a touchdown to Stanford last weekend, and now they have all weekend to think about what they’ve done. They’re back on the horse against Wake Forest in Week 10, as they have a bye week on Saturday.

6. Clemson Tigers (38)

Clemson is in a similar boat as Florida State. They notched a huge Week 1 win over an SEC opponent, only to fall apart in the time since.

The Tigers are 3-4 after a loss to SMU over the weekend. Cade Klubnik is banged up, but he’ll be able to rest this weekend, as Clemson has a bey week. They’re back in action against Duke on Nov. 1.

7. Duke Blue Devils (41)

Duke suffered their third loss of the season this past weekend, falling to Georgia Tech. It was a close game throughout, but the Yellow Jackets pulled away from the Blue Devils in the fourth quarter.

Darian Mensah passed for over 350 yards and two touchdowns, but it wasn’t enough to lift Duke to a win. They’re 4-3 heading into a bye week, with a date against Clemson to follow on Nov. 1.

8. Pittsburgh Panthers (43)

Pittsburgh is on a three-game win streak, advancing their record to 5-2 after starting 2-2 on the year. They beat Syracuse by 17 over the weekend, as they got production from all three facets of their team against the Orange.

They have another winnable game this weekend, as Pittsburgh will face NC State. They’re back at home, and hoping to continue their hot streak in Week 9.

9. Virginia Cavaliers (45)

Virginia has won five straight since losing to NC State. The Cavaliers are humming coming off a win over Washington State this past weekend.

Their schedule isn’t super intimidating over the next month and change. Virginia could make a bit of a run here, beginning with North Carolina this weekend.

10. NC State Wolfpack (61)

NC State had the weekend off after their loss to Notre Dame in Week 7. It wasn’t a very competitive game for the Wolfpack against the Fighting Irish, so they went back to the drawing board after falling to last season’s runner-up.

At 4-3, they’re in the middle of the pack in the ACC, but hoping to rise over the next couple of weeks. Their first test comes this weekend against Pittsburgh, and the Panthers are hot. It’d be a nice feather in their cap to get the win.

11. Wake Forest (66)
12. Virginia Tech (70)
13. Syracuse (74)
14. Stanford (79)
15. California (83)
16. Boston College (97)
17. North Carolina (99)