Week 5 provided plenty of excitement as several games went to the wire.
How did these contests impact this week’s standings? Here’s the latest installment of our ACC Power Rankings.
14. Georgia Tech
Last Week: 14
Even though the Jackets outgained Temple, Tech never had a chance in this game. The Jackets converted only 2 of 14 on third down and turned the ball over three times. Barring an upset later in the season, I don’t see Geoff Collins’ squad escaping the cellar in 2019.
13. Virginia Tech
Last Week: 13
There’s no way to sugarcoat it: Duke destroyed Virginia Tech. Sure, the Hokies actually led this game 3-0 at the end of the first quarter, but the Devils would dominate from that point forward. The VT defense couldn’t stop David Cutcliffe’s offense, which averaged 6.12 yards per play. The Hokies will need to tighten things up if they’re going to defeat Miami to remain in the Coastal Division race.
12. Syracuse
Last Week: 11
Make no mistake about it: the Orange took control of the contest against Holy Cross from the opening whistle. ‘Cuse limited the Crusaders to 40% completion percentage and held them to 138 yards of total offense. However, they drop a spot this week based on how well the other teams in the conference played.
11. Miami
Last Week: 10
The ‘Canes did not play in Week 5. Yet, like Syracuse, Miami slides down one spot.
10. North Carolina State
Last Week: 6
Although the ‘Pack played Florida State a little closer than the final score might indicate, they still fall four spots in this week’s Power Rankings. I don’t think they’ll remain here very long after the way quarterbacks Bailey Hockman and Devin Leary played on Saturday. Aside from a 41-yard TD run by Cam Akers, NC State limited FSU’s ground game to just 12 yards and 31 carries.
9. Duke
Last Week: 12
The Devils move into the top 10 after thrashing Virginia Tech 45-10. Quentin Harris turned in another stellar performance, completing 20 of 27 passes for 163 yards, while adding another 100 on the ground. This is a very good team that’s perfectly capable of winning the Coastal Division.
8. Louisville
Last Week: 9
The Cardinals were off last week, but still managed to move up one spot. They host Boston College on Saturday.
7. Boston College
Last Week: 7
The Eagles actually outgained Wake Forest 533-440 and averaged 7.11 yards per play. Unfortunately, it couldn’t stop the Demon Deacon offense when it mattered, as Wake converted on 17 of its 24 third down chances. However, since BC played a pretty good game (aside from that one number), it remains at No. 7 this week.
6. North Carolina
Last Week: 8
I’ve said it a few times and I’ll say it again: North Carolina is never out of the game as long as Sam Howell is under center. This week, he guided the Tar Heels on a 16-play, 75 yard drive against Clemson to put his team in position to beat the best team in the country. Even though, UNC didn’t get the two-point conversion, Mack Brown made the correct call to go for it. Since the ‘Heels nearly beat the top team in the land, I’ll move them up two spots this week.
5. Florida State
Last week: 5
Are the ‘Noles back? We won’t really find out until they play Clemson in Death Valley on 10/12. With that said, Saturday’s victory over NC State is encouraging. Regardless of who takes the snaps against the Tigers, the Seminoles have enough firepower on offense to make that contest interesting.
4. Pittsburgh
Last Week: 4
I’m positive that this ranking will raise a few eyebrows since the Panthers narrowly defeated Delaware, but remember Pittsburgh played this contest with backup quarterback Nick Patti. Even though Pat Narduzzi’s club trailed for most of the third quarter, it never really felt like they were going to lose. After all, it did outgain Delaware 443-170, and both Blue Hen TD’s were set up by Pittsburgh turnovers. That’s good enough to remain at No. 4… this week.
3. Wake Forest
Last week: 3
The Demon Deacons remain in the three spot by posting an impressive road win over Boston College. Although it did allow some yardage against the Eagles, Wake Forest is still the top challenger for Clemson in the Atlantic Division.
2. Virginia
Last Week: 2
The ‘Hoos led Notre Dame 17-14 at half and was in position to add to the lead. Then, the Irish forced a fumble and returned it to the UVA 7 to set up the go-ahead touchdown, which took all the wind out of Virginia’s sails. Had the Cavaliers punched one into the end zone, I firmly believe that they win this game. That’s more than enough to justify the No. 2 ranking in this week’s poll.
1. Clemson
Last Week: 1
I don’t care what the media says or how it (over)reacted with this week’s polls, Clemson is still the best team in the country until someone beats it. After all, the all-powerful SEC wasn’t able to hold off a fourth-quarter comeback from UNC, was it?
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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