Football News

ACC Power Rankings — Week 2

After a full week of college football, the ACC is starting to take shape

By Gabriel Urrutia@GabyUrrutia22 Sep 3, 2019, 3:00pm EDT

1. Clemson Tigers (—)

Despite not getting Trevor Lawrences best efforts, the Tigers dominated Georgia Tech as they were supposed to. If Lawrence doesn't play well again this coming week, the Tigers could find themselves in a tight one against one of the top teams in the country.

Week 2 — vs. #12 Texas A&M

2. Miami Hurricanes (—)

The Hurricanes were off after a week 0 matchup with the Florida Gators and have been able to regroup and rest while the rest of the country beat on each other during week 1. I think this 14 day stretch is as essential as any bye week the Hurricanes will have this year. How much better did Jarren Williams get over the last two weeks? We’ll find out soon in what is set to be another electric atmosphere.

Week 2 — @ North Carolina

3. Virginia Cavaliers ( +3)

The Cavaliers went up to Pittsburgh and took care of business against the defending ACC Coastal champions with a 30-14 win. Opening the season against an ACC opponent that you lost to a year before on the road isn't easy. Virginia surged in the second half by outscoring the Panthers 17-0 to seal a victory in Pittsburgh and establishing themselves as a true threat in the Coastal.

Week 2 — vs. William & Mary

4. Syracuse Orange (—)

The Syracuse defense dominated a pretty solid Liberty team by putting together eight sacks and 14 tackles for loss in a 24-0 win. Quarterback Tommy DeVito did not perform well, throwing two interceptions and no touchdowns, but there is no doubting the legitimacy of the defense.

Week 2 — @ Maryland

5. Boston College Eagles (+2)

The Eagles hosted Virginia Tech in a big time ACC matchup in week 1 and came out on top. After the Hokies took a 14-7 lead early in the second quarter, Boston College scored three straight touchdowns before the half and never looked back. Anthony Brown and AJ Dillon are one of the top quarterback/running back duo’s in the conference.

Week 2 — vs. Richmond

6. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (+3)

The Deacs hosted an 11-win Utah State team that has one of the top quarterbacks in the country in Jordan Love. Despite Love’s 416 passing yards and three touchdowns, they managed to force three interceptions. Wake’s quarterback Jaime Newman tossed for 401 yards himself and had four total touchdowns in a 38-35 win. This could be a team that makes a splash in the Atlantic side.

Week 2 — @ Rice

7. N.C. State Wolfpack (+1)

N.C. State showed up and did what they had to do against an inferior East Carolina team. Matthew McKay played well in his first game as the Packs signal caller, completing 25/37 of his passes for over 300 yards. They also did not allow ECU to score a touchdown, so that shows that the defense really came to play in a game like this.

Week 2 — vs. Western Carolina

8. Virginia Tech Hokies (-3)

I believe Boston College is much better than many think and that Virginia Tech played them well considering everything they lost. Despite giving up three straight touchdowns in the second quarter, they didn't roll over and actually kept the game close with a late touchdown that put them within seven points. Four turnovers by quarterback Ryan Willis and another by a receiver were the difference in this game.

Week 2 — vs. Old Dominion

9. North Carolina Tar Heels (+4)

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: AUG 31 Belk College Kickoff - South Carolina v North Carolina

Beating an SEC team in a neutral site would have been impressive if Georgia State and Wyoming didn't also do it in the same week. South Carolina is not a good football team, yet they led the entire game and were one pass through the hands of a defender away from winning the game. True freshman quarterback Sam Howell did impress once they opened the offense up in the fourth, but they have a different animal coming at them this week. The sold out crowd and prime time matchup should help, but were really going to find out who UNC is this week.

Week 2 — vs. Miami

10. Florida State Seminoles (-7)

Wow. I don't even know what to say. For a half they looked like a team that could truly compete this year. At one point in the second quarter FSU led 31-13. Then they blew it after not scoring a single point in the second half and being outscored 23-0 after the four minute mark in the second quarter through the rest of the game. The lack of conditioning seemed to be a huge issue and the team just hit a wall. The seat is getting pretty toasty in Tallahassee.

Week 2 — vs. UL Monroe

11. Pittsburgh Panthers (-1)

Losing two 1000 yard rushers to the NFL and your star defensive end due to injury is a recipe for disaster. I was disappointed in the way Pitt played in the second half against Virginia after taking the lead into halftime. The running game is certainly going to be an issue and quarterback Kenny Pickett doesn't have what it takes to save the offense on his own. This could be a down year for Pitt.

Week 2 — vs. Ohio

12. Louisville Cardinals (+2)

I don't think anybody expected this game to be as close as it was for as long as it was. It took until there was just seven seconds left in the second half for #9 Notre Dame to take the lead going into halftime before blowing it open. Obviously there are massive holes on this team, but I don't believe they're as terrible as people make them out to be. Scott Satterfield could have something going on here in the future.

Week 2 — vs. Eastern Kentucky

13. Duke Blue Devils (-2)

Nobody expected Duke to be in this game. They were 34 point dogs and they lost by 39 points against an Alabama team that is just so much better than them, especially after losing the core of their defense and their quarterback. I’d like to see Duke play somebody in conference before giving a true evaluation.

Week 2 — vs. NC A&T

14. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (-1)

Here’s another team that got a tough draw off the bat. They are transitioning away from the triple option into a 21st century offense and the personnel simply isn't in place yet. They did manage to pick off Trevor Lawrence twice, but they also got ran all over and just seemed outmatched in every sense of the word. I think this is going to be a true rebuild, but I love Geoff Collins and how he supported his guys after a loss like this. They do have a chance to beat USF this week, who got dismantled by Wisconsin at home in the opener.

Week 2 — vs. USF