The Wolfpacker's ACC Power Rankings: Week 8

Almost half of the ACC spent last week on bye, but that did not stop a few teams from rapidly rising and falling down our power rankings. Miami showed defensive promise with a shutout for three quarters, North Carolina continued to pull off close wins and NC State struggled to find the end zone against Syracuse.

Every Tuesday, The Wolfpacker will rank each of the 14 ACC football programs using the past week’s results, the momentum around the respective programs and what we are hearing from around the conference to inform our decisions. 

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Here are our ACC Power rankings for week six of the college football season:

1) Clemson (7-0)

Last week’s result: A 34-28 win over Florida State

Clemson is one win away from likely sealing the Atlantic Division title. In the middle of a tough stretch of their schedule, the Tigers controlled the game against Florida State, which was not close in the second half until the Seminoles pulled within one score with 2:17 remaining.

DJ Uiagalelei played an efficient and mistake-free game, throwing for 3 touchdowns and running for another. Clemson looks like the best team in the ACC and will another ranked opponent this weekend when it hosts Syracuse.

2) Wake Forest (5-1)

Last week’s result: Bye week

Wake Forest maintains the No. 2 spot in these power rankings on its bye week after playing Clemson closer than anyone else this fall and defeating Florida State convincingly. Sam Hartman is a Heisman contender, and the Demon Deacons have another great shot at a prestigious bowl game.

3) Syracuse (6-0)

Last week’s result: A 24-9 win over NC State

With NC State star quarterback Devin Leary out for the season, Syracuse was able to completely stifle the Wolfpack offense and defend its home turf. The Orange could have put up even more points on a great defense, but a couple of interceptions in the first have cost the offense a pair of possessions.

Despite those miscues, the offense looked good, and it looks like Sean Tucker is back into the form that made him a superstar in 2021. Oronde Gadsden is a really good wide receiver and, if that duo can put up numbers against Clemson this weekend, Syracuse could take the lead in the ACC’s Atlantic Division.

4) North Carolina (6-1)

Last week’s result: A 38-35 win over Duke

Some of North Carolina’s wins this season have not been pretty, but the conference’s leading passing offense, led by Drake Maye, is getting the job done with an undefeated ACC record. The Tar Heels gave up points to the Blue Devils, but 450 total yards from Maye was enough to leave Durham with a win.

T-5) Florida State (4-3)

Last week’s result: A 34-28 loss to Clemson

Florida State scored on its opening possession but could not keep up with an efficient Clemson offense throughout the night. The Tigers’ defense slowed down quarterback Jordan Travis through the air and left Tallahassee with a win. Despite three conference losses, the Seminoles are still an impressive team, and their games against Wake Forest, NC State and Clemson were all decided by 10 points or less.

T-5) NC State (5-2)

Last week’s result: A 24-9 loss to Syracuse

Without Leary starting at quarterback or Demie Sumo-Karngbaye suiting up at running back, the Wolfpack understandably struggled to move the ball against a solid Syracuse defense. Three red zone possessions led to three field goals, but the defense was able to keep this game within one possession for the majority of the contest.

Backup quarterback Jack Chambers did have promising moments against the Orange and, if he can continue to improve, the Wolfpack defense should keep NC State in games this year. A bye week followed by a matchup with a struggling Virginia Tech team should help the program regroup.

7) Pittsburgh (4-2)

Last week’s result: Bye week

Pittsburgh spent its bye week preparing for an ACC matchup on the road against Louisville.

8) Miami (3-3) 

Last week’s result: A 20-14 win over Virginia Tech

Miami shut out the Hokies for three quarters and went into the fourth winning 20-14. A pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns gave the Hurricanes a late scare, but the defense came through when it counted to pull off the win. Miami remains one of toughest ACC teams to figure out, so it continues to sit in the middle of the power rankings.

9) Louisville (3-3)

Last week’s result: Bye week

After an impressive win over UVA, Louisville rested up on a bye week, preparing for this week’s showdown with Pittsburgh.

10) Duke (4-3)

Last week’s result: A 38-35 loss to North Carolina

Duke quarterback Riley Leonard ran for 130 yards, running back Jordan Walters rushed for 91 and the duo scored 4 total touchdowns, but the defense could not slow down UNC’s offense, and a touchdown in the final minutes sealed the win for the Tar Heels. Bowl eligibility is still within reach for a Blue Devils squad that has exceeded preseason expectations.

T-11) Boston College (2-4)

Last week’s result: Bye week

After a blowout loss to Clemson, Boston College spent last week regrouping for the second half of the conference season.

T-11) Georgia Tech (3-3)

Last week’s result: Bye week

Georgia Tech also had a bye week in preparation for its matchup with UVA this weekend.

13) Virginia Tech Tech (2-5)

Last week’s result: A 20-14 loss to Miami

Virginia Tech‘s fourth quarter comeback fell short, keeping the Hokies from picking up a potential season-altering win at home. Instead, Virginia Tech goes into its bye week with a 2-5 record and one of the worst offenses in the country. Things do not get much easier for the program, with a matchup against NC State up next.

14) Virginia (2-4)

Last week’s result: Bye week

Virginia continued to look like the worst team in the conference as it got blown out by a Louisville team missing Malik Cunningham. This weekend’s game against Georgia Tech, coming out of a bye week, is a great chance to get the ACC season back on track.