Last week, my power rankings didn’t change at all. This week, they are very different thanks to a number of surprises on the gridiron. Just when you think you have the answers, the Atlantic Coast Conference changes the questions.
1 – Florida State: Following another come-from-behind victory, FSU has returned to the top spot in the AP polls. Getting rewarded for winning 26 straight games. What a crazy concept.
2 – Georgia Tech: … And now the fun starts. I guess? The Yellow Jackets have won four straight following a dismantling of Clemson. I probably have had them too low ever since the loss to North Carolina, but now it can be rectified right before they lose to Georgia and make me look dumb again.
3 – Louisville: Good work on the bye week, Cardinals. Try not to bring any more shame upon the conference over the next two weeks against Notre Dame and Kentucky. We certainly don’t need help in that department.
4 – Duke: Losing to Virginia Tech was not a good look, but they will now be angry going into Cameron for their big rivalry game against North Carolina. At least this is what ESPN will likely convince you when (not if) they use their Thursday night broadcast to hype basketball endlessly.
5 – Clemson: Clemson didn’t look sharp with Cole Stoudt at quarterback but won against inferior opponents. Deshaun Watson came back in time to face Georgia Tech … annnnnnnnnd he’s gone.
6 – Miami: The Hurricanes battled cramps and FSU just being really good at second half comebacks to no avail. It’ll be a tough loss to swallow, especially since it took them out of Coastal contention.
7 – Boston College: The Eagles were the greatest threat to Florida State’s title run in 2013. Coming off a bye, can Boston College bring that threat to Tallahassee? Are they bad enough dudes to break the streak?
8 – Virginia: Will Miami, with no division title on the line following a loss to their rival, sleepwalk into Charlottesville Saturday night? Or will the Cavaliers get caught looking ahead to their rivalry matchup with Virginia Tech (or just extend their four-game losing streak on general principle)? This has the makings of a #goacc classic.
9 – Virginia Tech: Remember when Virginia Tech and Duke were playing well enough that it appeared they (along with UNC never winning) would ruin the hopes of #4And4ForAll in the Coastal? Now the Hokies are just trying to ruin Duke’s return trip to Charlotte.
10 – NC State: The Wolfpack gets a week off before heading into Kenan Stadium to close the season. Depending on Thursday night’s outcome, they could have a chance to keep UNC out of a bowl game with a win in two weeks. Not that they would have any interest in that.
11 – North Carolina: The Daily Tar Heel now has a “Which member of the UNC academic scandal are you?” quiz. I took the quiz and got Mary Willingham, which means this or other power rankings may be plagiarized. But whatever I did, I did, and you know, whatever. There’s nothing I can do about it.
12 – Pittsburgh: James Conner’s 220 rushing yards was not enough to pick up a win Saturday. Let’s just pencil him in for 2015 ACC Player of the Year as a consolation prize … although Tyler Boyd might have something to say about that.
13 – Syracuse: Hopefully the Orange found some answers over the bye week. A couple of strong performances to close the season would do wonders for confidence heading into next season.
14 – Wake Forest: The Demon Deacons are 2-0 in basketball. All is well. Just focus on Danny Manning and the boys.
Until next week, peace, love, and #goacc.
Become a fan of the ACC on Facebook and follow the ACC on Twitter.
Leave a Reply