ACC Power Rankings: Week 3

There was little shake up at the top of this week’s power rankings, but with some more important games upcoming, look for the cream to rise to the top. Clemson continues as the dominant team in the ACC, but Notre Dame played much better, and Miami got a big win on the road. Who falls in behind the Tigers in this week’s power rankings?

The Greenville News-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Content Services, LLC

1. Clemson (2-0) – Ho hum just an easy “scrimmage” against The Citadel. 49-0 was the final, and the Tigers hardly broke a sweat. Trevor Lawrence 8-9 168 yards and 3TDs. Next Game 10/3 vs Virginia

2. Notre Dame (2-0) – The Fighting Irish looked like the team we all expected in their route of USF. Notre Dame rolled up 281 yards on the ground and walloped the Bulls 52-0. Ian Book was efficient with 143 yards through the air and the defense racked up 11.5 TFLs. Next Game Saturday 12:00PM @Wake Forest

3. Miami (2-0) – Miami has the best win of the young season in the ACC with their 47-34 win on the road against Louisville. D’Eriq King went for 325 yards and 3 scores through the air. Next Game Saturday 7:30PM vs FSU

4. North Carolina (1-0) – Game postponed vs Charlotte due to Covid-19. Next Game 10/3 @ Boston College

5. Pittsburgh (2-0) – Pitt got 215 yards and 2TDs from Kenny Pickett in a 21-10 win over Syracuse. Pitt predictably came back down to earth offensively vs the Orange but played stingy on defense for their 1^st ACC win. Next Game Saturday 12:00PM vs Louisville

6. Boston College (1-0) – BC got off to a rousing start in the Jeff Hafley era knocking off Duke 26-6. Phil Jurkovec threw for 300 yards and 2 scores in the win. The Eagles also picked off Chase Brice a couple of times and held Duke to just 351 yards of total offense. Next Game Saturday 6:00PM vs Texas St

7. North Carolina St (1-0) – Dave Doeren got a much-needed win in the season opener 45-42 over Wake Forest. Ricky Person Jr. rushed for 99 yards and 2 scores in the win. Bailey Hockman got the start at QB and threw for 191 and a score. Next Game Saturday 8:00PM @ Virginia Tech

8. Louisville (1-1) – The Cardinals played very well on the offensive side of the ball vs Miami is their 47-34 loss on Saturday night. Javian Hawkins was tremendous running for 164 yards and a score, but the defense let them down allowing the Canes to move the ball at will. Next Game Saturday 12:00PM @ Pittsburgh

9. Georgia Tech (1-1) – The Jackets got off to a fast start when Jahmyr Gibbs returned the opening kickoff 75 yards to set the Jackets up for a 1^st score. UCF would explode for 660 yards of total offense and run away with a 49-21 win. Jeff Sims looks to be a future star for GT. Next Game Saturday 12:00PM @ Syracuse

10. Virginia Tech (0-0) – The Hokies have yet to play a game due to Covid-19 but look to finally get the season underway this weekend. Next Game Saturday 8:00PM vs NC St

11. Virginia (0-0) – Much like VT, the Cavaliers have yet to play a game due to other teams dealing with Covid-19. Bronco Mendenhall’s group finally gets underway this weekend. Next Game Saturday 4:00PM vs Duke

12. Wake Forest (0-2) – Wake Forest found their offense against NC St, but unfortunately their defense was nowhere to be found. Sam Hartman threw for 236 yards and a score in the loss. Next Game Saturday 12:00PM vs Notre Dame

13. Duke (0-2) – Duke played an extremely competitive opener at Notre Dame but fell completely flat this past weekend vs Boston College. Chase Brice turned it over twice and the Blue Devils offense only managed 6 points in the loss. Next Game Saturday 4:00PM @ Virginia

14. FSU (0-1) – The Seminoles had an early bye week coming off the stinging loss to Georgia Tech. FSU will be without Head Coach Mike Norvell this weekend vs Miami. The Seminoles want nothing more than to break a 3-game losing streak to the Canes. Next Game 7:30PM @ Miami

15. Syracuse (0-2) – The seat is getting hotter by the game for HC Dino Babers as once again his “vaunted” offense struggled vs Pitt. Two games they have scored just 16 points combined in games. Rex Culpepper may be the new starting QB after Tommy DeVito once again struggled. Next Game Saturday 12:00PM vs Georgia Tech