The ACC saw no major shake up last week, as all of the powerhouse teams won big. The stage is set for an epic game between Louisville and Clemson, which will have major implications on the ACC Championship. Here are the ACC Power Rankings one month into the season.
1) Louisville: 59-28 win over Marshall
Another week, another blowout victory by Louisville. Lamar Jackson added seven more touchdowns, surpassing both his passing and rushing touchdowns total from last season. Louisville totaled 690 yards on the day and led 52-7 before Bobby Petrino pulled his starters.
2) Clemson: 26-7 win over Georgia Tech
The Clemson defense had an incredible game against Georgia Tech, limiting the run-heavy offense to only 95 yards on 38 attempts and 29 passing yards. This defense needs all the momentum and confidence it can get, as they welcome Lamar Jackson and the potent Louisville offense to South Carolina in a top-5 matchup that will have a playoff feel to it. Louisville averages 63.5 points per game, while Clemson’s defense has given up 11 points per game this season.
3) Florida State: 55-35 win over South Florida
The Seminoles bounced back in a big way after their embarrassing loss to Louisville. Florida State ran all over South Florida, recording a 250-yard rusher and a 100-yard rusher in the same game for the third time in the history of the Florida State program Junior Dalvin Cook ran for 267 yards and two touchdowns and sophomore back Jacques Patrick added 124 more yards and a touchdown of his own.
4) Miami: Bye Week
After three straight games against weak opponents, the Hurricanes will travel to Atlanta to take on the 3-1 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in their ACC opener.
5) North Carolina: 37-36 win over Pittsburgh
North Carolina quarterback Mitch Trubisky capped his magnificent game with a 2-yard touchdown pass with two seconds remaining to win the game for the Tar Heels. In a huge Coastal division matchup, Trubisky shredded Pittsburgh for 453 yards with five touchdowns and zero interceptions. North Carolina now has control of it’s destiny in the Coastal division.
6) Duke: 38-35 win over Notre Dame
In probably one of the biggest upsets of the season, Duke put together a complete game and went into South Bend and beat Notre Dame. Down 14-0 in the first, junior kick returner Shaun Wilson brought Duke right back in it with a 96-yard kick return. The two teams went back-and-forth all day, but when it came time to shine, freshman quarterback Daniel Jones found senior wide receiver Anthony Nash for a 64-yard touchdown to tie the game and then led a 10-play, 44-yard drive to set up the game-winning 19-yard field goal.
7) Pittsburgh: 37-36 loss to North Carolina
The Panthers did what they do well, but it still wasn’t enough. Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky broke Panthers’ fans hearts with his fifth touchdown of the day with two seconds left to win the game. The Panthers ran for 281 yards and four touchdowns against the Tar Heels, but their defense let them down, surrounding 453 yards on 35 pass completions from Trubisky.
8) Wake Forest: 33-28 win over Indiana
The Demon Deacon pass defense was the story of the game, intercepting Hoosier quarterback Richard Lagow five times, including a 55-yard touchdown return by freshman Jessie Bates. Wake Forest had a balanced offensive attack, passing for 172 yards and rushing for 180, as they stay undefeated. They travel to N.C. State this week.
9) Virginia Tech: 54-17 win over East Carolina
Junior quarterback Jerod Evans continues to produce, as he followed his five touchdown game with three more passing touchdowns and a rushing touchdown, leading the Hokies to another big win. The Hokies have outscored their last two opponents (Boston College and East Carolina) 103-17. They will enjoy a bye week and visit Chapel Hill to take on the Tar Heels on October 8th.
10) Syracuse: 31-24 win over Connecticut
Syracuse snapped their two-game skid with a road win against UConn. Sophomore quarterback Eric Dungey posted his best game since week one, recording 407 yards and two touchdowns in the win. The Orange will travel to South Bend to face the desperate 1-3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
11) Georgia Tech: 26-7 loss to Clemson
The Yellow Jackets were completely shut down by the Tigers’ defense, accumulating a lousy 29 yards through the air and 95 rushing yards on 38 attempts. Georgia Tech will try to prove their 3-0 start wasn’t a fluke, as they welcome the Miami Hurricanes to town this week.
12) NC State: Bye Week
Coming off a bye, the Wolfpack will look to gain momentum in the ACC as they face Wake Forest at home this week.
13) Boston College: 42-10 win over Wagner
Boston College notched their second win of the season against the FCS Wagner Seahawks. The Eagles outgained the Seahawks 490-107 yards on the day. They will play the Buffalo Bulls this week.
14) Virginia: 49-35 win over Central Michigan
The Virginia Cavaliers offense erupted in their first win of the season, totaling 569 yards on the day. Junior quarterback Kurt Benkert had his best game of the season, throwing for 421 yards and five touchdowns against the Chippewas. They will travel to Durham to take on the Duke Blue Devils, who are coming off a big upset win against Notre Dame.
Make sure you follow the All Sports Discussion Twitter account at @AllSportsDACC and please like our Facebook Page
Leave a Reply