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Week 2 saw some ACC teams play tune-up games against FCS or lower tier opponents (like Miami’s win over Savannah State), while others tested themselves against quality competition. In both cases, it was a mixed bag of results for the ACC this week. Let’s take a look at where the chips fell as far as the conference pecking order for the week:
ACC Power Rankings - Week 3
1. Clemson Tigers 2-0 (LW: 1), Week 2 Result: 28-26 W @ Texas A&M, Next: vs Georgia Southern 9/15 3:30pm ET
The reigning ACC Champions squeaked by a highly capable Texas A&M team led by long-time ACC coach Jimbo Fisher. The secondary gave up over 400 yards to the Aggies, leaving the rest of the conference hoping that continues to be the Achilles heel of the vaunted Clemson defense.
2. Virginia Tech Hokies 2-0 (LW: 2), Week 2 Result: 62-17 W vs William & Mary, Next: vs East Carolina 9/15 12:20pm ET
The Hokies continued to roll on offense, rushing for 7 touchdowns against William & Mary. They continue their non-conference slate with another easy matchup against East Carolina (more on them later)
3. Miami Hurricanes 1-1 (LW: 3), Week 2 Result: 77-0 W vs Savannah State, Next: @ Toledo 9/15 12:00pm ET
The Canes ended their 4-game losing streak by throttling Savannah State 77-0, but will face a steeper test against Toledo this Saturday. Hopefully we see more of Week 2 Miami than Week 1 Miami.
4. Boston College Eagles 2-0 (LW: 4), Week 2 Result: 62-14 W vs Holy Cross, Next: @ Wake Forest 9/13 7:30pm ET
BC begins their quest to shock the ACC by opening conference play against Wake Forest on Thursday evening.
5. North Carolina State Wolfpack 2-0 (LW: 6), Week 2 Result: 41-7 W vs Georgia State, Next: vs West Virginia 9/15 3:30pm ET
The Wolfpack continue to ride the arm of the ACC’s leading passer Ryan Finley (672 yards) but will likely be part of a shootout when they host Will Grier and #14 West Virginia Saturday.
6. Florida State Seminoles 1-1 (LW: 5), Week 2 Result: 36-26 W vs Samford, Next: @ Syracuse 9/15 12:00pm ET
The Willie Taggart era continues on the wrong foot as the Noles trailed against Samford LATE IN THE FOURTH QUARTER. They did eek out a victory, but FSU will have to make some quick progress or they could be starting the year off 0-2 in conference play as they travel to the Carrier Dome this weekend to take on Syracuse.
7. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 1-1 (LW: 7), Week 2 Result: 38-49 L @ South Florida, Next: @ Pittsburgh 9/15 12:30pm ET
The Yellow Jackets’ special teams and defense let them down in their week 2 loss to South Florida. Can they recover in time to knock off Pitt on the road?
8. Louisville Cardinals 1-1 (LW: 8), Week 2 Result: 31-7 W vs Indiana State, Next: vs Western Kentucky 9/15 7:30pm ET
Life is much easier when you have Indiana State standing across the field from you instead of Alabama. The Cardinals host Western Kentucky this Saturday.
9. Wake Forest Demon Deacons 2-0 (LW: 11), Week 2 Result: 51-20 W @ Towson, Next: vs Boston College 9/13 7:30pm ET
The Demon Deacons have had a surprisingly potent offense behind freshman signal caller Sam Hartman. A big conference win over Boston College this Thursday at home would be huge for the program.
10. Pittsburgh Panthers 1-1 (LW: 9), Week 2 Result: 6-51 L vs Penn State, Next: vs Georgia Tech 9/15 12:30pm ET
Pitt put up a decent fight against in-state rival Penn State for 3 quarters, but quickly found them on the receiving end of a 51-6 beatdown. They now have to follow that up by dealing with Georgia Tech’s triple option.
11. Syracuse Orange 2-0 (LW: 12), Week 2 Result: 62-10 W vs Wagner, Next: vs Florida State 9/15 12:00pm ET
The Orange will shoot up next week’s rankings with a conference win over Florida State at home. The Noles defense gave up over 500 yards of total offense to Samford, so Syracuse should be chomping at the bit to run all over the dome this Saturday.
12. Duke Blue Devils 2-0 (LW: 10), Week 2 Result: 21-7 W vs Northwestern, Next: @ Baylor 9/15 3:30pm ET
How does Duke end up down here after a solid victory over Northwestern? Losing your starting quarterback and cornerback to injuries may do the trick:
BREAKING: Daniel Jones and Mark Gilbert suffer potential long-term injuries against Northwstern: https://t.co/7JBBTHbKdp
— Chronicle Sports (@chroniclesports) September 8, 2018
"Right now, we are figuring Mark [Gilbert] is going to be out for quite some time."
13. Virginia Cavaliers 1-1 (LW: 13), Week 2 Result: 16-20 L @ Indiana, Next: vs Ohio 9/15 3:00pm ET
Bowl eligibility is the goal for UVA this season, and they may struggle to reach that mark, especially if they can’t take down Ohio this Saturday.
14. North Carolina Tar Heels 0-2 (LW: 14), Week 2 Result: 19-41 L @ East Carolina, Next: vs UCF, 9/15 12:00pm ET
East Carolina lost to North Carolina A&T in week 1, yet UNC was unable to keep things close as they suffered a 22-point loss to the Pirates. Changes must be ahead in Chapel Hill.
Do you agree with the movement in the rankings? Let us know in the comments below.