ACC Power Rankings: Pitt-UNC result causes shake-up in Coastal rankings

Conference play has ramped up over the last few weeks. While our Hurricanes dispatched Appalachian State and enjoyed a bye week, several conference members were challenging each other and diving headfirst into the race to the ACC Championship Game. In the Coastal Division, the Pittsburgh Panthers and North Carolina Tar Heels squared off in Chapel Hill, giving us an early look at two preseason favorites to win the division. Before we get to the power rankings, we’ll recap that contest and offer our thoughts on the result.

Defensive miscues troubled both teams on Saturday.

North Carolina didn’t have an answer for Pittsburgh’s rushing attack until the tail end of the third quarter. Of the Tar Heels’ 421 total yards surrendered, only 53 yards were given up in the fourth quarter. In the fourth, North Carolina held Pittsburgh to a field goal and three three-and-outs. This sudden defensive turnaround allowed the Tar Heels offense to fire back with two touchdowns in the final five minutes.

Pittsburgh, having a lackluster defensive outing of their own, allowed for a record setting performance from North Carolina on offense. Quarterback Mitch Trubisky was 35 of 46 passing for 453 yards and 5 touchdowns. Ryan Switzer, the Tar Heels most targeted and productive receiver, tied a school record with 16 catches for 208 yards and a touchdown.

The Panthers offense racked up impressive stats of their own as they rushed for 281 yards and averaged 5.1 yards per carry (if you needed further proof that defense was sorely lacking on both sides). Pittsburgh quarterback Nathan Peterman went 14 of 18 passing for 140 yards.

Late in the fourth quarter, when Pittsburgh’s rushing attack had finally been contained by North Carolina, it was up to Peterman to keep the Panthers hopes alive. In the final 20 minutes, his number was called on to convert four 3rd down attempts. In those crucial situations, Peterman went 0 for 4, throwing his only incompletions of the game.

Pittsburgh’s inability to stop North Carolina’s passing attack, and their offensive shortcomings in the fourth, allowed the Tar Heels to make a late rally. During North Carolina’s final drive, the Tar Heels converted three 4th down attempts, ran 17 plays, passed for 63 yards, ran out of timeouts, and still, on 3rd and goal, stole the lead as only 2 seconds remained in the game.

This was just the first of many tense battles to come in the Coastal Division. Pittsburgh and North Carolina will both be making trips to Hard Rock Stadium later this season. Before then, the Hurricanes face Georgia Tech and an October riddled with conference adversaries. The race to the ACC Championship Game is well underway.

Now, let’s see how the Pitt-UNC result impacted the Power Rankings.

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Atlantic Division Rankings

1. Louisville Cardinals (4-0, 2-0 ACC); Previous ranking: 1st

Previous week: at Marshall Thundering Herd (1-2); Result: WIN 59-28

Next opponent: at Clemson Tigers (4-0, 1-0 ACC)

2. Clemson Tigers (4-0, 1-0 ACC); Previous ranking: 2nd

Previous week: at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (3-1, 1-1 ACC); Result: WIN 26-7

Next opponent: vs. Louisville Cardinals (4-0, 2-0 ACC)

3. Florida State Seminoles (3-1, 0-1 ACC); Previous ranking: 3rd

Previous week: at South Florida Bulls (3-1); Result: WIN 55-35

Next opponent: vs. North Carolina Tar Heels (3-1, 1-0 ACC)

4. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (4-0, 1-0 ACC); Previous ranking: 5th

Previous week: at Indiana Hoosiers (2-1); Result: WIN 33-28

Next opponent: at N.C. State Wolfpack (2-1, 0-0 ACC)

5. N.C. State Wolfpack (2-1, 0-0 ACC); Previous ranking: 4th

Previous week: BYE; Result: N/A

Next opponent: vs. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (4-0, 1-0 ACC)

6. Syracuse Orange (2-2, 0-1 ACC); Previous ranking: 6th

Previous week: at Connecticut Huskies (1-3); Result: WIN 31-24

Next opponent: vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (1-3)

7. Boston College Eagles (2-2, 0-2 ACC); Previous ranking: 7th

Previous week: vs. Wagner Seahawks (2-1); Result: WIN 42-10

Next opponent: vs. Buffalo Bulls (1-2)

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Coastal Division Rankings

1. Miami Hurricanes (3-0, 0-0 ACC); Previous ranking: 1st

Previous week: BYE; Result: N/A

Next opponent: at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (3-1, 1-1 ACC)

2. North Carolina Tar Heels (3-1, 1-0 ACC); Previous ranking: 4th

Previous week: vs. Pittsburgh Pathers (2-2, 0-1 ACC); Result: WIN 37-36

Next opponent: at Florida State Seminoles (3-1, 0-1 ACC)

3. Virginia Tech Hokies (3-1, 1-0 ACC); Previous ranking: 5th

Previous week: vs. East Carolina Pirates (2-2); Result: WIN 54-17

Next opponent: BYE

4. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (3-1, 1-1 ACC); Previous ranking: 2nd

Previous week: vs. Clemson Tigers (4-0, 1-0 ACC); Result: LOSS 26-7

Next opponent: vs. Miami Hurricanes (3-0, 0-0 ACC)

5. Pittsburgh Panthers (2-2, 0-1 ACC); Previous ranking: 3rd

Previous week: at North Carolina Tar Heels (3-1, 1-0 ACC); Result: LOSS 37-36

Next opponent: vs. Marshall Thundering Herd (1-2)

6. Duke Blue Devils (2-2, 0-1 ACC); Previous ranking: 6th

Previous week: at Notre Dame Fighting Irish (1-3); Result: WIN 38-35

Next opponent: vs. Virginia Cavaliers (1-3, 0-0 ACC)

7. Virginia Cavaliers (1-3, 0-0 ACC); Previous ranking: 7th

Previous week: vs. Central Michigan Chippewas (3-1); Result: WIN 49-35

Next opponent: at Duke Blue Devils (2-2, 0-1 ACC)

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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.