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ACC Power Rankings: Week 10

During the college football season, State of the U will be your destination for all things #GoACC. We'll bring you the latest news, watch info, and power rankings, all the tools necessary to keep tabs on our conference foes.

NCAA Football: Virginia Tech at Pittsburgh
Oct 27, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA; Virginia Tech Hokies tight end Bucky Hodges (7) pulls in a pass against Pittsburgh Panthers defensive back Phillipie Motley (32) during the first half at Heinz Field.
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Another tense weekend of ACC play has left Clemson some breathing room in the Atlantic Division but Coastal Division contenders North Carolina and Virginia Tech are still neck and neck. Before we get to the rankings, let’s recap last week’s happenings.

Virginia Tech narrowly outlasted the Pittsburgh Panthers, 39-36, to keep pace with North Carolina in the Coastal Division standings. Hokies quarterback Jerod Evans tore Pitt’s porous secondary apart, throwing for 406 yards on 24 of 40 passing and two touchdowns. Of course, this wouldn’t be an ACC matchup without referee controversy. Panthers Head Coach Pat Narduzzi questioned the ACC officiating of the game, saying he believes the Hokies receivers “did a great job of pushing off all night.”

This brings us to another matchup that’s steeped in ACC officiating controversy, Clemson’s 37-34 win over the Florida State Seminoles. In another tense bout between the two Atlantic Division powers, three lead changes and numerous penalties had Jimbo Fisher irate at ACC officials. For Clemson, this victory is a significant step towards winning the Atlantic Division, but three conference opponents remain and Louisville is nipping at their heels.

Louisville survived a scare in Charlottesville, winning 32-25 over the Virginia Cavaliers. Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson led a game-winning touchdown drive with less than two minutes remaining. Driving 75 yards on 8 plays, Jackson connected with receiver Jaylen Smith on a 29-yard touchdown pass to give Louisville the lead.

Georgia Tech beat the Duke Blue Devils, 38-35, in Atlanta.

Boston College registered their first conference win with a victory over N.C. State, 21-14, at Carter-Finley Stadium.

Wake Forest fell to Army, 21-13, in Winston-Salem.

Those are your quick-hitters from around the ACC. Now, let’s see how this past weekend’s results impacted the ACC Power Rankings.


ACC Power Rankings

1. Clemson Tigers (8-0, 5-0 ACC)

Previous week: at Florida State Seminoles (5-3, 2-3); Result: WIN 37-34

Next opponent: vs. Syracuse Orange (4-4, 2-2 ACC)

2. Louisville Cardinals (7-1, 5-1 ACC)

Previous week: at Virginia Cavaliers (2-6, 1-3 ACC); Result: WIN 32-25

Next opponent: at Boston College Eagles (4-4, 1-4 ACC)

3. North Carolina Tar Heels (6-2, 4-1 ACC)

Previous week: BYE; Result: N/A

Next opponent: vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (5-3, 2-3 ACC)

4. Virginia Tech Hokies (6-2, 4-1 ACC)

Previous week: at Pittsburgh Panthers (5-3, 2-2 ACC); Result: WIN 39-36

Next opponent: at Duke Blue Devils (3-5, 0-4 ACC)

5. Florida State Seminoles (5-3, 2-3 ACC)

Previous week: vs. Clemson Tigers (8-0, 5-0 ACC); Result: LOSS 37-34

Next opponent: at N.C. State Wolfpack (4-4, 1-3 ACC)

6. Pittsburgh Panthers (5-3, 2-2 ACC)

Previous week: vs. Virginia Tech Hokies (6-2, 4-1 ACC); Result: LOSS 39-36

Next opponent: at Miami Hurricanes (4-4, 1-4 ACC)

7. Miami Hurricanes (4-4, 1-4 ACC)

Previous week: at Notre Dame Fighting Irish (3-5); Result: LOSS 30-27

Next opponent: vs. Pittsburgh Panthers (5-3, 2-2 ACC)

8. N.C. State Wolfpack (4-4, 1-3 ACC)

Previous week: vs. Boston College Eagles (4-4, 1-4 ACC); Result: LOSS 21-14

Next opponent: vs. Florida State Seminoles (5-3, 2-3 ACC)

9. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (5-3, 2-3 ACC)

Previous week: vs. Army Black Knights (5-3); Result: LOSS 21-13

Next opponent: vs. Virginia Cavaliers (2-6, 1-3 ACC)

10. Syracuse Orange (4-4, 2-2 ACC)

Previous week: BYE; Result: N/A

Next opponent: vs. Clemson Tigers (8-0, 5-0 ACC)

11. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (5-3, 2-3 ACC)

Previous week: vs. Duke Blue Devils (3-5, 0-4 ACC); Result: WIN 38-35

Next opponent: vs. North Carolina Tar Heels (6-2, 4-1 ACC)

12. Virginia Cavaliers (2-6, 1-3 ACC)

Previous week: vs. Louisville Cardinals (7-1, 5-1 ACC); Result: LOSS 32-25

Next opponent: at Wake Forest Demon Deacons (5-3, 2-3 ACC)

13. Boston College Eagles (4-4, 1-4 ACC)

Previous week: at N.C. State Wolfpack (4-4, 1-3 ACC); Result: WIN 21-14

Next opponent: vs. Louisville Cardinals (7-1, 5-1 ACC)

14. Duke Blue Devils (3-5, 0-4 ACC)

Previous week: at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (5-3, 2-3 ACC); Result: LOSS 38-35

Next opponent: vs. Virginia Tech Hokies (6-2, 4-1 ACC)


If you have any thoughts or comments on these rankings, teams, or want to list your own rankings, please do so below in the comments section.