While some of the major names in the ACC were on bye, others stepped up big-time.
Week 6 Power Rankings HERE.
Let’s ball.
14. Duke
Duke lost to Georgia Tech this week, and that loss may continue to look worse as the season progresses.
13. Syracuse
So Dino’s team does have a pulse. The Orange took Wake to OT this week, which is easily the best game they have played all season.
12. Miami
Miami is on bye this week, which is the only reason they are spared. The Canes only boast wins over Central Connecticut and App State. UNC is a must-win in Week 7.
11. Georgia Tech
Another week where we remain confused about Georgia Tech. A close win over Duke is not something to brag about, and a victory over UNC a few weeks back carries much less weight now.
10. North Carolina
A team lead by Sam Howell, who was considered a darkhorse Heisman contender entering the season, Mack Brown, and excellent staff, just got handled by an FSU team that was staring 0-5 right in the puss last weekend. Can’t imagine being a UNC fan right now.
9. Florida State
Two wins in a row? Hell yeah, FSU. Perhaps a solid second half against Louisville was the turning point in the season for the Noles, who now boast two conference wins including their latest over North Carolina. Getting QB Jordan Travis back certainly helped against the Heels.
8. Pitt
A bye week for Pitt spares the Panthers, but a meeting with Virginia Tech will tell us a ton about this squad.
7. Louisville
This is just a maddening team. Louisville football should be one of the three best teams in the Atlantic, but inconsistency and complacency are costing the Cardinals dearly in conference play. It’s going to be a long bye week for Scott Satterfield and company.
6. Boston College
BC nearly took out Clemson last week but slides just a bit after a bye week where similar squads played decent.
5. Virginia
It’s time to start talking more about Brennan Armstrong and the Cavs. While the UVA defense is going to keep most opponents in the game, this is the best passing attack in the conference.
4. Clemson
Why is everyone on bye? We are trying to do a weekly power ranking here.
3. Wake Forest
The Clawfense marches on unscathed but there were some tense moments in a way-too-close game against Syracuse this week.
2. Virginia Tech
Tech absolutely looked the part against a solid Notre Dame squad on Saturday, falling just short. Still, they move up one spot because I simply think a close loss to Notre Dame is better than an ugly win over Syracuse. The Hokies open +4 at home against Pitt. What does Vegas know that we don’t?
1. NC State
The Wolfpack rested this week. There are probably 5-6 teams that have a legit argument for the No. 1 spot, but none of them are are as impressive as the Clemson victory. Yes, still.
Next: Why Louisville football coaches need to own up to obvious play-calling issues
VT lost Burmeister for 6 weeks and their backup QB for the season. Vegas knew before the rest of us. Those injuries make VT a middle of the pack team at best until Burmeister returns.