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ACC POWER RANKINGS: WEEK FIVE

We’ll be providing our readers with game recaps and outlooks of what lies ahead for each member of the conference. We’ll also be listing any pertinent information for each team including injury news, roster updates, and the like.

Cue the Imperial March!
Cue the Imperial March!
Joel Auerbach

This weekend the battle for the Atlantic and Coastal Divisions take a pivotal turn. For the first time this season, the ACC's schedule has conference members exclusively clashing among each other for supremacy of their respective divisions. Tomorrow's Coastal matchups include: Pittsburgh-Virginia, Virginia Tech-North Carolina and Miami-Georgia Tech. While Louisville-Syracuse kick things off at 7:00 PM Friday night for the Atlantic Division and the remaining games are: Florida State-Wake Forest and Clemson-N.C. State. (Boston College and Duke have a bye.)



Atlantic Division

1st - Florida State Seminoles 4-0 ACC: 2-0

AP/Coaches ranking: 1st/2nd

Previous week: @ N.C. State Wolfpack (4-1); Result: WIN 56-41

Next opponent: 10/4 3:30PM vs. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (2-3)

Watch the highlights of Florida State-N.C. State's dogfight here. The Seminoles return home this Saturday to square off with the Demon Deacons.

2nd - Clemson Tigers 2-2 ACC: 1-1

AP/Coaches ranking: NR/NR

Previous week: vs. North Carolina Tar Heels (2-2); Result: WIN 50-35

Next opponent: 10/4 3:30PM vs. N.C. State Wolfpack (4-1)

As predicted, Clemson's offense took out its post-Florida State frustration on a North Carolina defense that ranks 120th nationally. This weekend the Tigers are tasked with facing another foe from the North: N.C. State. The Wolfpack appear to be a bigger challenge than the Tar Heels with their emergence against Florida State. Clemson's seat in the upper echelon of the Atlantic Division may be up for grabs with N.C. State's recent development.

3rd - Louisville Cardinals 4-1 ACC: 2-1

AP/Coaches ranking: NR/NR

Previous week: vs. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (2-3); Result: WIN 20-10

Next opponent: 10/3 Friday 7:00PM @ Syracuse Orange (2-2)

Louisville fended off Wake Forest in what was a much tougher task than anticipated. Tonight at 7:00 on ESPN the Cardinals face former Big East foe Syracuse in the Carrier Dome.

4th - N.C. State Wolfpack 4-1 ACC: 0-1

AP/Coaches ranking: NR/NR

Previous week: vs. #1 Florida State Seminoles (4-0); Result: LOSS 56-41

Next opponent: 10/4 3:30PM @ Clemson Tigers (2-2)

One of the more surprising developments in the ACC this weekend was the play of Jacoby Brissett and the N.C. State Wolfpack. Coming into its matchup with Florida State, the Wolfpack's 4-0 record was disregarded as their non-conference slate was far from desirable. Shocking the Seminoles from the opening drive, Brissett led the Wolfpack 75 yards on two plays to take an early lead. N.C. State soon racked up 24 points in the 1st quarter and headed into the 2nd with the Seminoles facing a 17 point deficit. As the game wore on, the Seminoles came surging back, but amazingly N.C. State kept finding ways to keep the score within reach. Ultimately the Wolfpack's luck and opportunities fled them in the 4th and Florida State prevailed.

5th - Syracuse Orange 2-2 ACC: 0-0

AP/Coaches ranking: NR/NR

Previous week: vs. #8 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (4-0); Result: LOSS 31-15

Next opponent: 10/3 Friday 7:00PM vs. Louisville Cardinals (4-1)

The Orange forced early turnovers but could not capitalize as the Notre Dame offense quickly regained its footing. Missed opportunities have plagued Syracuse these past two weeks and with Louisville coming to town Cuse fans can only hope that a complete showing is present tonight.

6th - Boston College Eagles 3-2 ACC: 0-1

AP/Coaches ranking: NR/NR

Previous week: vs. Colorado State Rams (3-1); Result: LOSS 24-21

Next opponent: BYE

I don't understand you. Win over USC? Exceeded expectations. Loss to Pitt? Hey, maybe Pitt's good. Lose at home to Colorado State? Dudes being dudes is not bringing that rug back any time soon, Mr. Lebowski.

7th - Wake Forest Demon Deacons 2-3 ACC: 0-1

AP/Coaches ranking: NR/NR

Previous week: @ Louisville Cardinals (4-1); Result: LOSS 20-10

Next opponent: 10/4 3:30PM @ #1 Florida State Seminoles (4-0)

Wake Forest's defense came to play in Louisville. If freshman quarterback John Wolford and the Demon Deacon offense can put things together there's hope Wake climbs out from the bottom of the rankings.


Coastal Division

1st - Virginia Cavaliers 3-2 ACC: 1-0

AP/Coaches ranking: NR/NR

Previous week: vs. Kent State Golden Flashes (0-4); Result: WIN 45-13

Next opponent: 10/4 7:30PM vs. Pittsburgh Panthers (3-2)

Pittsburgh travels to Charlottesville for both squads' first bout in the Coastal Division. As with each Coastal pairing this weekend, this game will offer insight into the convoluted divisional race.

2nd - Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 4-0 ACC: 1-0

AP/Coaches ranking: NR/NR

Previous week: BYE; Result: N/A

Next opponent: 10/4 7:30PM vs. Miami Hurricanes (3-2)

Prepare yourself with all things Ramblin':

3rd - Miami Hurricanes 3-2 ACC: 1-1

AP/Coaches ranking: NR/NR

Previous week: vs. Duke Blue Devils (4-1); Result: WIN 22-10

Next opponent: 10/4 7:30PM @ Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (4-0)

State of the U keys in on Georgia Tech:

4th - Duke Blue Devils 4-1 ACC: 0-1

AP/Coaches ranking: NR/NR

Previous week: @ Miami Hurricanes (3-2); Result: LOSS 22-10

Next opponent: BYE

David Cutcliffe has a bye week to rally the troops before the Blue Devils take on Georgia Tech.

5th - Virginia Tech Hokies 3-2 ACC: 0-1

AP/Coaches ranking: NR/NR

Previous week: vs. Western Michigan Broncos (2-2); Result: WIN 35-17

Next opponent: 10/4 12:30PM @ North Carolina Tar Heels (2-2)

Virginia Tech and North Carolina each bring their own share of worrisome play to this Coastal clash. The Hokies desperately need a win in Chapel Hill to avoid falling two games behind in the conference.

6th - Pittsburgh Panthers 3-2 ACC: 1-0

AP/Coaches ranking: NR/NR

Previous week: vs. Akron Zips (2-2); Result: LOSS 21-10

Next opponent: 10/4 7:30PM @ Virginia Cavaliers (3-2)

Pittsburgh's non-conference losses may be ugly, but fortunately for them (and Miami, too) they have no bearing in the conference.

7th - North Carolina Tar Heels 2-2 ACC: 0-1

AP/Coaches ranking: NR/NR

Previous week: @ Clemson Tigers (2-2); Result: LOSS 50-35

Next Opponent: 10/4 12:30PM vs. Virginia Tech Hokies (3-2)

The troubles North Carolina has on defense are clear, though it's far more telling about the conference that Virginia Tech is not easily favored. Despite how gloomy things may be in Chapel Hill, the Coastal Division is open to all and any. 


Conference Notes:

ACC vs. AAC (3-2)

ACC vs. Big Ten (1-3)

ACC vs. Big 12 (2-0)

ACC vs. PAC-12 (1-1)

ACC vs. SEC (0-1)

#GOACC