The ACC showcased in week one of the college football season that they will be a force to be reckoned with in 2016. The Conference went 11-3 in the first week with impressive wins by Florida State, Louisville, and Miami. With a handful of teams in the AP Top 25, the power rankings after week one in the ACC are interesting.
1. (#3) Florida State Seminoles: 45-34 win over Ole Miss
Florida State put on a show on Monday night. Even though there were some rough patches in the game, the Seminoles made huge adjustments and responded from a 28-13 halftime deficit by amazingly outgaining the Rebels 214 to -7 in yards in the third quarter. Deondre Francois threw for 419 yards while Delvin Cook totaled 192 yards on the night.
2. (#2) Clemson Tigers: 19-13 win over Auburn
Dabo Swinney trusted his star quarterback Deshuan Watson to win the game for the Tigers, and the Heisman candidate did just that. Clemson totaled 400 yards in the win and held Auburn to 3-17 on third downs.
3. (#13) Louisville Cardinals: 70-14 win over Charlotte
Star quarterback sophomore Lamar Jackson started off 2016 with a bang. Jackson set a school-record in his first game of the 2016 campaign with eight total touchdowns. Louisville will head to Syracuse before playing Florida State at home in week three.
4. (#25) Miami Hurricanes: 70-3 win over Florida A&M
The Mark Richt era started off with a dominant and easy win over Florida A&M. Brad Kaaya threw four touchdowns while the team set a Miami Hurricanes football record for most points in one quarter when they put a 42 spot on the board in the third quarter.
5. Pittsburgh Panthers: 27-7 win over Villanova
The Panthers controlled this game from the beginning and only allowed one score early in third quarter.
6. North Carolina Tar Heels: 33-24 loss to Georgia
Star running back Nick Chubb was too much for the Tar Heels as he ran for 222 yards, including a 55-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter to put the game on ice for the Bulldogs.
7. NC State WolfPack: 48-14 win over William & Mary
The WolfPack earned an easy win at home to start off the season.
8. Syracuse Orange: 33-7 win against Colgate
Dino Babers’ offense couldn’t have a better debut as the Orange scored 33 points and totaling 554 yards on 81 plays.
9. Duke Blue Devils; 49-6 win over North Carolina Central
Duke dominated this game from the start by putting up 49 points in the first half in their blowout win in week one.
10. Virginia Tech Hokies: 36-13 win over Liberty
The Justin Fuente era started off with a solid win over Liberty. Quarterback Jerod Evans was good for four touchdowns.
11. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets: 17-14 win over Boston College
The Yellow Jackets barely escape of what would be an embarrassing loss to BC with a Dedrick Mills 4-yard touchdown with 35 seconds left to win the game.
12. Virginia Cavaliers: 37-20 loss to Richmond
The Cavaliers looked lost at home against the Spiders as they once trailed 30-7 in the fourth quarter.
13. Wake Forest Demon Deacons: 7-3 win over Tulane
Even though the Deacons won, the offense struggled at home against Tulane, as they only put up 175 yards in the win.
14. Boston College Eagles: 17-14 loss to Georgia Tech
Boston College’s ACC woes continue as they came 35 seconds away from notching their first ACC win since November 29th, 2014.
Make sure you follow the All Sports Discussion Twitter account at @AllSportsDACC and please like our Facebook Page
Leave a Reply