Welcome back for another installment of ACC Power Rankings. This weekend was a pretty fun one, but Week 8 should be even better with FSU-Notre Dame and Duke-Virginia on the slate.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t thank everyone who has followed @AllSportsDACC on Twitter and gave us a warm welcome over the past week. I’m excited to interact with all of you over there or at my personal Twitter account, @ztevans. Now, let’s get to the rankings.
1 – Florida State: I called it last week, the Seminoles are no longer atop the national polls. But with the latest episode in the Jameis Winston saga underway, that may be the least of their problems. Somebody took my Ric Flair jokes last week a little too seriously.
2 – Clemson: The Tigers picked up a win against Louisville without a single offensive touchdown. However, they lost Deshaun Watson to a broken hand, so someone other than the defense and return units will have to figure out how to score over the next month.
3 – Virginia: The ice age is coming. The sun is zooming in. Meltdown expected, the wheat is growing thin. Engines stop running, but I don’t care. ‘Cause 4-4 For All is drowning, and I live by the river. #MikeLondonCalling
4 – Louisville: Louisville’s defense was matching Clemson’s step-for-step in their brawl of a matchup, minus the lack of a touchdown. There are plenty of headaches left for the Cardinals to create this season.
5 – Duke: With 242 yards rushing, Duke gave Georgia Tech a taste of its own medicine. Their ACC Network showdown this week with Virginia could potentially decide the Coastal Division. We’ll see if Detective London can crack the case of the defending division champions.
6 – Georgia Tech: The Yellow Jackets may have lost to Duke. However, they’ll be putting another one of Paul Johnson’s undefeated streaks on the line at North Carolina this week. And if there’s one thing that will cure a stuttering offense, it’s a trip to Kenan Stadium.
7 – Virginia Tech: All is right in the world when the Hokies are playing on Thursday Night. And we’re just a week away from their triumphant return to Thursday Night football at Lane Stadium. It was sorely missed last year.
8 – Miami: It wasn’t an ACC game, but the Hurricanes’ win over Cincinnati was good for mojo heading into a bye week. Next time we’ll see them, it will be on a Thursday night in Blacksburg for what will hopefully be a barnburner.
9 – Pittsburgh: The Panthers neither won nor lost this week. Am I talking about Pitt or the NFL team? NOBODY KNOWS.
10 – Boston College: The Eagles had a lot of dudes this week in their win. But no dude was more surprising than this referee. I mean, what a block to keep the play alive. Such a dude.
11 – North Carolina: Larry Fedora found his spark. It was sticking with one quarterback. Crazy, huh? It wasn’t quite enough to beat #6 Notre Dame, but it’s the best UNC’s offense has looked all season.
12 – Syracuse: Speaking of losing to good teams, AJ Long’s debut as Syracuse quarterback was a solid one. Can’t wait to see what he does against a team that has actually lost this season.
13 – NC State: Seven Wolfpack players have been suspended for an incident involving BB guns at an off-campus residence. Yanno, because beating Louisville on the road was going to be too easy at full strength.
14 – Wake Forest: Hope you enjoyed the bye week, Deacon fans. Remember we’re here for you.
Until next week, peace, love, and #goacc.
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