ACC Power Rankings: Week 8

The race for second place in the ACC is really heating up. Miami, Notre Dame and North Carolina have separated themselves from the pack for the opportunity to play Clemson in the conference championship game. The ACC seems to be healthier at the top than in recent years, and should have a fun last 6 weeks of the season.

Here are the Week 8 Power Rankings

1. Clemson (6-0) - Wasn’t their best performance, and they still won 47-21 vs Syracuse. Clemson is on full cruise control right now. Next Game Saturday 12:00PM vs Boston College

2. Notre Dame (5-0) - ND was on upset alert, and responded with their best game of the season. The Irish dismantled Pitt 45-3 in a game that wasn’t even that close. Next Game Saturday 3:30PM @ Georgia Tech

3. Miami (5-1) - Not the most inspiring effort against Virginia in a 19-14 win, but Miami was able to beat a team they were supposed to beat. Mike Harley had a monster performance with 10 catches and 170yards. Next Game Friday November 6th @ North Carolina St

4. North Carolina (4-1) - The Tar Heels bounced back from the loss to FSU in impressive fashion. They rolled up 578 yards of offense behind Sam Howell in a 48-21 route of NC St. Next Game Saturday 8:00PM @ Virginia

The Next Group

5. Wake Forest (3-2) - The Demon Deacons have quietly won 3 in a row, this time 23-16 over VT. Christain Beal-Smith led the way with 129 yards on the ground. Next Game Saturday 12:00PM @ Syracuse

6. Virginia Tech (3-2) - The Hokies were probably eliminated from ACC Title game contention by virtue of their 23-16 loss to Wake Forest. Next Game Saturday 4:00PM @ Louisville

7. Boston College (3-2) - Phil Jurkovec was fantastic as the Eagles rolled over Georgia Tech 48-27. Next Game Saturday 12:00 @ Clemson

8. North Carolina St (4-2) - From a team who was on a roll, to a team that got rolled. The Wolfpack allowed UNC to run for 326 yards in a 48-21 defeat. Next Game Friday November 6th vs Miami

9. Pittsburgh (3-4) - Terrible is the only word needed to describe Pitt’s 45-3 loss to Notre Dame. Next Game Saturday November 7th @ FSU

The Bottom Tier

10. Georgia Tech (2-3) - The Jackets once again fell down quickly, this time 24-0 before they could get going in a 48-27 loss to Boston College. Next Game Saturday 3:30PM vs Notre Dame

11. Louisville (2-4) - The Cardinals found their offense in a blowout win over FSU 48-16. Javian Hawkins went for 174 yards and 3 scores in the win. Next Game Saturday 4:00PM vs Virginia Tech

12. Virginia (1-4) - The Cavaliers hung tough with Miami but eventually fell 19-14. Next Game Saturday 8:00PM vs Virginia

13. FSU (2-4) - The thud you just heard was FSU crashing down our rankings. Jordan Travis was just 14/32 passing in defeat. Next Game Saturday November 7th vs Pittsburgh

14. Duke (1-5) - Duke enjoyed a bye week, so at least they did not lose again. Next Game Saturday 7:00PM vs Charlotte

15. Syracuse (1-5) - No shame in losing to Clemson especially when the game was 27-21 in the 2nd half. This ranking is a culmination of bad football all season long. Next Game Saturday 12:00PM vs Wake Forest

Go Canes