Clemson Football: ACC Power Rankings headed into Week 6

4. North Carolina State Wolfpack – Last Week: 1 – (4-1) – NC State has been atop this list from its inception.  The difference this week, besides the obvious loss to Clemson on Saturday, is that I don’t believe they’re a very good football team anymore.  If a defense can make them one-dimensional, and make that dimension the passing game, cover Thayer Thomas and you should be ok.  The exceptional slot-receiver is their entire offense, and the stats show it with nearly three times as many receptions as the next pass-catcher for the Pack.  The defense flies around the field, and is definitely very good.  However, I think they are poorly coached, at least on offense.  Next up: vs. Florida State

3. Syracuse Orange – Last Week: 5 – (5-0) – Wagner wasn’t really the top-end competition that will allow this viewer to gauge just how good this team is, however, they took care of business and put this game away early.  That’s a good sign for this surprise of the ACC.  Still led by Garret Shrader and running back Sean Tucker, the defense is stout as well.  Arguably their toughest stretch of the season will come right after the bye week this week, with (home) NC State. (away) Clemson and (home) Notre Dame in consecutive weeks.  We will find out just how for-real Dino Babers’ squad is after that.  Next up: (October 15th) vs. NC State

2. Wake Forest Demon Deacons – Last Week: 4 – (4-1) – One of the oldest sayings in sport is “do , not let one loss lead to two,” or something like that.  Wake Forest could have let things get away from them versus Florida State this past weekend after a 2-OT loss to Clemson the previous week.  They came out of the gates hot and put the Noles on their heals early.  Quarterback Sam Hartman continued his exceptional play throwing 2 more touchdowns, while Justice Ellison was dominant on the ground adding 114 yards and a touchdown.  Next up: vs. Army

1. Clemson Tigers – Last Week: 2 – (5-0) – It took awhile, but the cream always seems to rise to the top.  Clemson is two games into their toughest stretch of the season and has been equal to the task taking down Wake and NC State in consecutive weeks.  An interesting game up in Chestnut Hill awaits the Tigers this coming weekend.  DJ Uiagalelei has quieted most of his critics and has been the steady force the Tigers have needed.  Will Shipley is a tough runner, and the receivers are finally coming along.  But those tight ends are something else.  Jake Briningstool and Davis Allen are arguably the best tight end duo in the country and now that offensive coordinator Brandon Streeter is using them together, results are imminent.  The Tigers are a work in progress, but they have passed their first two large tests with flying colors.  Next up: @ Boston College