ACC Power Rankings - Week 8

1. Clemson Tigers 6-0 (LW: 1), Week 7 Result: Bye, Next: vs NC State 10/20 3:30pm ET

Clemson had a bye last week, but so did their week 8 opponent, which happens to be the only other undefeated team in the ACC. Should be a great matchup to watch with the Canes off this weekend.

2. NC State Wolfpack 5-0 (LW: 3), Week 7 Result: Bye, Next: @ Clemson 10/20 3:30pm ET

The Wolfpack got extra time to prepare for the most important game in the recent history of the program. Can Ryan Finley and the potent passing attack light it up against Clemson?

3. Virginia Tech Hokies 4-2 (LW: 4), Week 7 Result: 22-19 W @ North Carolina, Next: Bye

VT squeezed out a close win over the dreadful Tar Heels, but now sit atop the Coastal division. The Old Dominion loss will continue to make it difficult to trust the Hokies.

4. Boston College Eagles 5-2 (LW: 5), Week 7 Result: 38-20 W vs Louisville, Next: Bye

The Eagles are still patiently waiting for the return of star RB AJ Dillon, but were able to pull out another ACC victory thanks to the ineptness of Louisville. They’ll have the bye week to get healthy and scheme for the Canes in a crucial game for each team’s ACC championship hopes.

5. Virginia Cavaliers 4-2 (LW: 8), Week 7 Result: 16-13 W vs Miami, Next: @ Duke 10/20 12:30pm ET

UVA’s defense has made huge strides over the first half of the season, while their offense has learned how to utilize Bryce Perkins and Jordan Ellis enough to win tough games. Their upcoming matchup with Duke will shed plenty of light on whether either team has a chance at catching VT in the race for the Coastal crown.

6. Miami Hurricanes 5-2 (LW: 2), Week 7 Result: 13-16 L @ Virginia, Next: Bye

While UVA played a good game, much of the Canes’ misfortune Saturday came as a result of self-inflicted wounds. N’Kosi Perry’s 2 INTs were either a poor read or a receiver running the wrong route, and they gave CMR a reason to make another mistake: limiting the offense by switching back to Malik Rosier. The bye gives the Canes an opportunity to right the ship, or tear the season completely asunder.

7. Duke Blue Devils 5-1 (LW: 6), Week 7 Result: 28-14 W @ Georgia Tech, Next: vs Virginia 10/20 12:30pm ET

The Blue Devils rebounded from a tough loss to VT by shutting down GT’s option offense. Can they prove they’ve taken a step forward this season by knocking off a surging Virginia squad?

8. Syracuse Orange 4-2 (LW: 7), Week 7 Result: Bye, Next: vs UNC 10/20 12:20pm ET

The Orange took a week to get themselves together after getting juiced by Pitt. Thankfully, a home game against UNC is up next and should allow them to find their winning ways.

9. Pittsburgh Panthers 3-4 (LW: 10), Week 7 Result: 14-19 L @ Notre Dame, Next: Bye

After knocking off Syracuse, the Panthers played like a rejuvenated team for 3 quarters on Saturday before falling apart down the stretch to current top-4 team Notre Dame. Their effort was impressive, but that kind of let down might take the air out of their season.

10. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 3-4 (LW: 9), Week 7 Result: 14-28 L vs Duke, Next: Bye

After hanging 66 on Louisville, the Yellow Jackets found little running room against Duke, gaining only 3.8 yards per rush. Their true undoing, however, was their 3 fumbles.

11. Wake Forest Demon Deacons 3-3 (LW: 11), Week 7 Result: Bye, Next: @ FSU 10/20 3:30pm ET

Wake Forest likely spent the bye week figuring out how to reignite their offense, which was held to only 249 total yards and 3 points against Clemson.

12. Florida State Seminoles 3-3 (LW: 12), Week 7 Result: Bye, Next: vs Wake Forest 10/20 3:30pm ET

The Noles spent their bye week stewing about blowing a 20-point lead to the Canes. If Willie Taggart has any ears in the locker room, FSU should come out angry against Wake.

13. Louisville Cardinals 2-5 (LW: 14), Week 7 Result: 20-38 L @ Boston College, Next: Bye

A 4-point game entering the third quarter against BC quickly turned ugly. The Cardinals will likely be staying home for bowl season this year.

14. North Carolina Tar Heels 1-4 (LW: 13), Week 7 Result: 19-22 L vs Virginia Tech, Next: @ Syracuse 10/20 12:20pm ET

You would think the injury to Chazz Surratt may have steadied the UNC offense, as he was a turnover machine, but the Tar Heels went with freshman Cade Fortin over Nathan Elliot to shake things up, and then Fortin also went down with an injury before half-time. Elliot almost pulled out a rare victory for UNC, but some late game heroics from VT sent the Tar Heels home defeated once again.

Do you agree with the movement in the rankings? Let us know in the comments below.