This past weekend in the ACC featured close contests across the board with five games having a differential of a score or less. With Clemson outlasting Notre Dame, the Tigers have a firm grasp of the first place in our power rankings. Before we rank the conference, let's recap the happenings in the Coastal Division, the Hurricanes' route to Charlotte.
The Duke Blue Devils are 2-0 in ACC play after inching past Boston College.
Behind a strong defensive performance, Duke's three field goals were enough to lift the Blue Devils over Boston College. That defensive play was badly needed, as Duke struggled in the rushing game, with just 33 yards on 35 attempts, and in the red zone, by failing to convert several opportunities into touchdowns.
Marquise Williams and the North Carolina Tar Heels overcame their three-touchdown deficit, rallying to edge Georgia Tech 38-31 in Atlanta.
Last week, when Larry Fedora opted for sophomore Mitch Trubisky in the second quarter against Delaware, questions circled on whether Marquise Williams would keep his starting position. While not producing at a high level in the passing game against the Yellow Jackets, throwing for 134 yards on 13 for 24, Williams turned on the burners in the rushing attack. Marquise Williams led the Tar Heels in carries and yards with 148 yards on 15 attempts. For the Yellow Jackets, an offense that sputtered in recent weeks came out strong, though could not get out of its own way. Two Justin Thomas turnovers, an interception and fumble, and a failure to convert a fourth-down attempt at the goal line in the fourth quarter kept Georgia Tech at bay. Now, sitting 0-2 in the conference, the Yellow Jackets have little room for error if they wish to repeat as Coastal Division champs.
Pittsburgh fought past Virginia Tech, winning 17-13 at Lane Stadium.
The Panther defense had its way with the Hokies' offense, sacking quarterback Brenden Motley seven times and allowing just 100 total yards. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh freshman running back Qadree Ollison had his best performance since the opener against Youngstown State, rushing for 122 yards on 19 carries. A more thorough examination of Pittsburgh and Virginia Tech, along with Miami's other Coastal Division adversaries, will be provided later in the week.
Enjoy the power rankings.
1st - Clemson Tigers (4-0, 1-0 ACC)
Previous week: vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (4-1); Result: WIN 24-22
Next Opponent: October 10th 3:30 PM ET vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (2-3, 0-2 ACC)
2nd - Florida State Seminoles (4-0, 2-0 ACC)
Previous week: at Wake Forest Demon Deacons (2-3, 0-2 ACC); Result: WIN 24-16
Next Opponent: October 10th 8:00 PM ET vs. Miami Hurricanes (3-1, 0-0 ACC)
3rd - Duke Blue Devils (4-1, 2-0 ACC)
Previous week: vs. Boston College Eagles (3-2, 0-2 ACC); Result: WIN 9-7
Next Opponent: October 10th 12:00 PM ET at Army Black Knights (1-4)
4th - North Carolina Tar Heels (4-1, 1-0 ACC)
Previous week: at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (2-3, 0-2 ACC); Result: WIN 38-31
Next Opponent: BYE
5th - Pittsburgh Panthers (3-1, 1-0 ACC)
Previous week: at Virginia Tech Hokies (2-3, 0-1 ACC); Result: WIN 17-13
Next Opponent: October 10th 12:30 PM ET vs. Virginia Cavaliers (1-3, 0-0 ACC)
6th - Miami Hurricanes (3-1, 0-0 ACC)
Previous week: at Cincinnati Bearcats (3-2); Result: LOSS 34-23
Next Opponent: October 10th 8:00 PM ET at Florida State Seminoles (4-0, 2-0 ACC)
7th - Louisville Cardinals (2-3, 1-1 ACC)
Previous week: at N.C. State Wolfpack (4-1, 0-1 ACC); Result: WIN 20-13
Next Opponent: BYE
8th - N.C. State Wolfpack (4-1, 0-1 ACC)
Previous week: vs. Louisville Cardinals (2-3, 1-1 ACC); Result: LOSS 20-13
Next Opponent: Friday, October 9th 8:00 PM ET at Virginia Tech Hokies (2-3, 0-1 ACC)
9th - Syracuse Orange (3-1, 1-0 ACC)
Previous week: BYE; Result: N/A
Next Opponent: October 10th 3:30 PM ET at South Florida Bulls (1-3)
10th - Boston College Eagles (3-2, 0-2 ACC)
Previous week: at Duke Blue Devils (4-1, 2-0 ACC); Result: LOSS 9-7
Next Opponent: October 10th 3:00 PM ET vs. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (2-3, 0-2 ACC)
11th - Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (2-3, 0-2 ACC)
Previous week: vs. North Carolina Tar Heels (4-1, 1-0 ACC); Result: LOSS 38-31
Next Opponent: October 10th 3:30 PM ET at Clemson Tigers (4-0, 1-0 ACC)
12th - Virginia Tech Hokies (2-3, 0-1 ACC)
Previous week: vs. Pittsburgh Panthers (3-1, 0-1 ACC); Result: LOSS 17-13
Next Opponent: Friday, October 9th 8:00 PM ET vs. N.C. State Wolfpack (4-1, 0-1 ACC)
13th - Virginia Cavaliers (1-3, 0-0 ACC)
Previous week: BYE; Result: N/A
Next Opponent: October 10th 12:30 PM ET at Pittsburgh Panthers (3-1, 1-0 ACC)
14th - Wake Forest Demon Deacons (2-3, 0-2 ACC)
Previous week: vs. Florida State Seminoles (4-0, 2-0 ACC); Result: LOSS 24-16
Next Opponent: October 10th 3:00 PM ET at Boston College Eagles (3-2, 0-2 ACC)