Each week, we will review Saturday’s action on the gridiron and attempt to rank the teams from 14 to 1. Please note that these power rankings measure where a team is right now, meaning that they can (and will) fluctuate throughout the season.
With that in mind, here’s the initial installment of the All Sports Discussion ACC Power Rankings.
14. Georgia Tech
I don’t know if I’ve seen this formation much before. pic.twitter.com/cQNVrDDWR6
— Will Ojanen (@WillsWorldMN) August 30, 2019
After watching the Yellow Jackets in action against Clemson, it’s clear that the team will struggle on offense this season. Yes, we expected Tech to have trouble versus the Tiger front seven. However, we also thought that the Jackets could score on first-and-goal from the one-yard line. To add insult to injury, Tech had to resort to trick plays in that series (see above), rather than just punching it in like it did over and over again during the Paul Johnson era.
13. Duke
It might not seem right to put the Blue Devils at 13 based on the first two series against Alabama, where they forced a three-and-out and a fumble. However, Crimson Tide QB’s connected on 30 of 36 passes for 367 yards and an Al Bundy (4 TD’s in one game). That’s not going to cut it against the signal callers in this league.
12. Virginia Tech
“I don’t care who you play — whether it’s a high school team, a junior college team, a college team, much less an NFL team. When you turn the ball over five times… you ain’t going to beat anybody I just talked about.” – Jim Mora, Sr.
Although the BC defense deserves credit for making some clutch plays, the quote above pretty much tells the story. Tech turned the ball over five times, with two of them ending promising scoring drives. Two of the other turnovers gave the Eagles the ball at the VT 17 and the VT 28. It’s hard to win games when that happens.
11. Pittsburgh
The Panthers probably deserve a better fate. All they did was lose to a solid Virginia team. The Pittsburgh defense actually tuned in a solid effort, limiting the Cavs to 310 yards and a paltry 3.9 yards per carry. However, the offense did give up four sacks and two interceptions. Unless this number improves, the Panthers will hover around the bottom of the Coastal Division.
10. Florida State
The ‘Noles jumped out to a 31-13 lead over Boise State, prompting many in the media to say that Florida State was back. Unfortunately, the Broncos shut out the Seminoles in the second half, limiting the team to just 68 yards of total offense. Dehydration or not, that number must improve in order for the ‘Noles to compete for the ACC Atlantic crown.
9. Louisville
Even though the Cardinals didn’t beat Notre Dame, they showed the entire country that they’re an improved team under Scott Satterfield. Louisville ran the ball surprisingly well against the Irish, running for 249 yards, while averaging 5.3 yards per carry. Assuming the Cards do a better job of protecting the football, there’s no reason to think that they won’t return to a bowl this season.
8. Miami
The Canes were one or two plays away from defeating Florida in week 0. Although it’s possible that this loss might not look so bad in the future, it certainly stings at the moment.
7. Wake Forest
The Demon Deacons fought off a well-coached Utah State team in the final minutes, which is just enough to put them in the top half of the rankings. Sure, this victory was far from perfect, especially given Wake’s struggles on third-and-short. Yet, the team made plays when it had to, converting on fourth down to take the take the lead and then coming up with a huge stop late in the game after a targeting penalty put the Aggies in position to tie it up.
6. North Carolina
The Tarheels pulled one of the biggest shockers of the opening weekend, upsetting South Carolina 24-20. Mack Brown allowed Sam Howell to do his thing in the second half, which produced 18 points in the final 30 minutes of the contest. The defense also rose to the occasion late in the game, picking off two passes to end any hope of a Gamecock comeback. While there’s still work to do, keep an eye on the ‘Heels in the Coastal.
5. Boston College
The Eagles turned in a solid effort in week 1, defeating Virginia Tech 35-28. Despite giving up 442 yards, the BC defense got the job done, recovering two fumbles and picking off three passes. The offense wasn’t half-bad, either, racking up 5.76 yards per play. Don’t be surprised if the Eagles are 6-0 when they host NC State in mid-October.
4. Virginia
Who was that guy that went on the All Sports Discussion podcast and said Virginia would take a step back this year? That’s right, it was me. And, I might be dead wrong. The ‘Hoos played a solid game against Pittsburgh, as the defense took over the game in the second half. In fact, the Panthers only produced two drives longer than 30 yards in the second half, with neither of them resulting in points.
3. NC State
The Wolfpack easily dismantled perennial giant-killer East Carolina. The offense proved that it will be just fine with Matthew McKay at the controls, racking up 505 of yards of total offense. The Pack D also turned in a solid effort, holding the Pirates to 269 yards.
2. Syracuse
Even though the Orange made its share of mistakes – three turnovers and a completion percentage of less than 50 percent – their performance against Liberty is just what you’d expect of a top contender in the ACC. The fact that the Twitterverse was more concerned with Hugh Freeze coaching from his hospital bed tells you all that you need to know about this contest.
1. Clemson
The Tigers looked like the best team in the country against Georgia Tech. The Clemson D is as nasty as ever, preventing the Jackets from scoring after a turnover gave them first-and-goal at the Tiger 1. The offense is just as explosive, averaging 8.0 yards per play against a Tech unit that should rank near the top of the league in defense this year.
Terry Johnson is a Contributor to the All Sports Discussion. He is a member of the Football Writers Association of America. Follow him on Twitter @TerryPJohnson
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