ACC POWER RANKINGS: WEEK ONE

Atlantic Coast Conference play kicked off this past weekend with an unhealthy dose of late game scares and below average performance. That didn't spell doom for all the conference, however. Aside from Wake Forest's head scratching defeat to Louisiana-Monroe, many members of the conference fared well. Florida State survived their season opener against Oklahoma State. And while Clemson suffered a loss to rival Georgia, new quarterbacks Cole Stoudt and Deshaun Watson both had promising performances.

There are still questions surrounding almost every member of the Atlantic Coast Conference, though opening weekend did offer some clarity.

Miami does not deserve to be the Coastal favorite. That's obvious. If not the Hurricanes, then who? Other than Virginia and Miami, the rest of the Coastal Division squared off against FCS and lower level opponents. Virginia Tech, Duke, and Pittsburgh handled their weaker foes as they should. North Carolina, though, needed multiple scores late in the third quarter to create separation from FCS opponent Liberty.

The Coastal isn't all to blame for the ACC's worrisome opening weekend. No, majority belongs to the schools that makeup the Atlantic Division's bottom half in our power rankings. Syracuse required a fake field goal in double overtime to pull past Villanova in what began the conference's trend of under-performing. And as I said before, Wake allowed a team of bushes and tree branches (they wore camouflage uniforms. I know, right?) to spoil Dave Clawson's debut.

Last week we spoke about thinking of the ACC in tiers with the launch of our new segment identifying the conference's top three programs. Today we expose another tier: 'members of the ACC that should know better'. This will not be a weekly feature. (Here's to hoping conference members don't continue to struggle against weaker opponents!) Nonetheless, a feature we have. These teams are as previously indicated: they should be ashamed of themselves. And good news, that team we speak of is yours!

Wake Forest: Wake, I apologize for placing you here, but after speaking to management they kind of said it was a must. I understand you're breaking in a new coach. You even lost your best players to the NFL (and our preconceived notions about you say that's pretty great.)

Syracuse: No basketball references! None. They are forbidden. Because George Carlin had feelings about basketball being a sport, or was that baseball, or swimming? Regardless, this was Villanova. You were supposed to be a contender. A dark horse, like Pittsburgh, predicted by the greatest #goacc minds to be ‘somewhat-maybe-good'. Well, that wasn't good. In your defense, starting quarterback Terrel Hunt was ejected for throwing a punch during the first half and I completely understand why. Although that's not enough for a Miami fan still reeling from an all around s*** storm Monday night to grant you any leeway. I'm sorry, ‘Cuse.

Miami: Do you know that you ruined my week? No cookies. No treats, whatsoever. Unlike the others, I have no remorse for placing you here. You've left a mess on the living room floor and I am making onlookers extremely uncomfortable rubbing your nose in it. I can't do this. I won't.

Now that we've cleared the air of all that's upsetting, here are the Atlantic Coast Conference Week One Power Rankings. Enjoy, or whatever.

Atlantic Division

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

AP/Coaches Ranking: 1st/1st
Last game: 8/30 vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys (0-1) (AT&T Stadium)
Result: WIN 37-31
Recap: 3 things we learned from Florida State's win over Oklahoma State - SBNation.com
Next Opponent: 9/6 7:30 PM vs. The Citadel Bulldogs (0-1)

2nd - Clemson Tigers 0-1 ACC: 0-0

AP/Coaches Ranking: 23rd/24th
Last game: 8/30 @ Georgia Bulldogs (1-0)
Result:LOSS 45-21
Recap: Week 1 Game Review: Clemson @ Georgia - Shakin The Southland
Next Opponent: 9/6 12:30 PM vs. South Carolina State Bulldogs (1-0)

3rd - Louisville Cardinals 1-0 ACC: 1-0

AP/Coaches Ranking: 25th/NR
Last game: 9/1 vs. Miami (0-1)
Result: WIN 31-13
Recap: Louisville ground game, defense lead Cardinals to 31-13 win in ACC debut. - Card Chronicle
Next Opponent: 9/6 7:00 PM vs. Murray State Racers (1-0)

4th - Boston College Eagles 1-0 ACC: 0-0

AP/Coaches Ranking: NR/NR
Last game: 8/30 @ UMass Minutemen (0-1) (Gillette Stadium)
Result: WIN 30-7
Recap: Boston College 30, UMass 7: Murphy Leads Eagles To First Win - BC Interruption
Next Opponent: Friday 9/5 7:00 PM vs. Pittsburgh (1-0)

5th - Syracuse Orange 1-0 ACC: 0-0

AP/Coaches Ranking: NR/NR
Last game: 8/29 vs. Villanova Wildcats (0-1)
Result: WIN 27-26
Recap: Double Trouble: Syracuse Uses Fake Field Goal to Avoid Upset to Villanova - Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician
Next Opponent: BYE

6th - N.C. State Wolfpack 1-0 ACC: 0-0

AP/Coaches Ranking: NR/NR
Last game: 8/30 vs. Georgia Southern Eagles (0-1)
Result: WIN 24-23
Recap: NC State rallies to beat Georgia Southern, 24-23 - Backing The Pack
Next Opponent: 9/6 6:00 PM vs. Old Dominion Monarchs (1-0)

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

AP/Coaches Ranking: NR/NR
Last game: 8/28 @ ULM Warhawks (1-0)
Result: LOSS 17-10
Recap: ULM Defeats Wake Forest 17-10 - Blogger So Dear
Next Opponent: 9/6 6:30 PM vs. Gardner Webb Bulldogs (0-1)

Coastal Division

1st - Duke Blue Devils 1-0 ACC: 0-0

AP/Coaches Ranking: NR/NR
Last game: 8/30 vs. Elon Phoenix (0-1)
Result: WIN 52-13
Recap: Elon Phoenix vs. Duke Blue Devils - Recap - August 30, 2014 - ESPN
Next Opponent: 9/6 7:00 PM @ Troy Trojans (0-1)

2nd - North Carolina Tar Heels 1-0 ACC: 0-0

AP/Coaches Ranking: 21st/23rd
Last game: 8/30 vs. Liberty Flames (0-1)
Result: WIN 56-29
Recap: UNC 56 Liberty 29 - Tar Heel Blog
Next Opponent: 9/6 8:00 PM vs. San Diego State Aztecs (1-0)

3rd - Virginia Tech Hokies 1-0 ACC: 0-0

AP/Coaches Ranking: NR/NR
Last game: 8/30 vs. William & Mary Tribe (0-1)
Result: WIN 34-9
Recap: Virginia Tech Football: William & Mary Recap - Gobbler Country
Next Opponent: 9/6 8:00 PM @ Ohio State Buckeyes (1-0)

4th - Miami Hurricanes 0-1 ACC: 0-1

AP/Coaches Ranking: NR/NR
Last game: 9/1 @ Louisville Cardinals (1-0)
Result: LOSS 31-13
Recap: Salomon: Everyone To Blame In Loss to Louisville; Execution and Play Calling Both Below Par - State of The U
Next Opponent: 9/6 7:00 PM vs. Florida A&M Rattlers (0-1)

5th - Pittsburgh Panthers 1-0 ACC: 0-0

AP/Coaches Ranking: NR/NR
Last game: 8/30 vs. Delaware Blue Hens (0-1)
Result: WIN 62-0
Recap: Pitt crushes Delaware in 62-0 win, Tyler Boyd injured in victory - Cardiac Hill
Next Opponent: Friday 9/5 7:00 PM @ Boston College (1-0)

6th - Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 1-0 ACC: 0-0

AP/Coaches Ranking: NR/NR
Last game: 8/30 vs. Wofford Terriers (0-1)
Result: WIN 38-19
Recap: Georgia Tech Football: Wofford Postgame Summary - From The Rumble Seat
Next Opponent: 9/6 4:00 PM @ Tulane Green Wave (0-1)

7th - Virginia Cavaliers 0-1 ACC: 0-0

AP/Coaches Ranking: NR/NR
Last game: 8/30 vs. UCLA Bruins (1-0)
Result: LOSS 28-20
Recap: Postgame Wrap: UCLA 28, UVA 20 - Streaking The Lawn
Next Opponent: 9/6 3:30 PM vs. Richmond Spiders (1-0)

ACC's Top Three

Florida State Seminoles: Florida State appeared human in their prime time bout with the Oklahoma State Cowboys. Does this increase the odds of FSU falling to an ACC opponent? Probably not. There's enough time to right wrongs before heading into ACC play and a formidable conference foe has yet to present themselves. Clemson, Louisville, and Notre Dame are the Seminoles' top threats remaining on the schedule.

Clemson Tigers: Todd Gurley is a dawg, one defenses do not trust. You leave an open seam around him best believe that defense gonna get lit up.

Clemson fought hard early on but a defense once considered the Tigers' greatest strength broke under the constant pressure of Georgia's rushing attack. Things began on a positive note for quarterbacks Cole Stoudt and Deshaun Watson. Clemson's offense showed promise driving 60+ yards for each of their three scores. Although a second half resulting in no added points was bothersome. Clemson faces South Carolina State this weekend before heading to Tallahassee September 20th.

Louisville Cardinals: Don't let Miami's inefficiencies cloud your judgment, the Cardinals' defense was dominant. While Louisville's offense will need time to fully develop, their defense can hold its own in the Atlantic Division. Louisville's next opponent is Murray State.

Conference Notes:

ACC vs. AAC (0-0)
ACC vs. BIG 10 (0-0)
ACC vs. BIG 12 (1-0)
ACC vs. PAC-12 (0-1)
ACC vs. SEC (0-1)

Ranking the Coastal Division is a long, frustrating task that yields no definitive results whatsoever. Here, you try.

#GOACC