Clemson Football: ACC Power Rankings Headed into Week 10
By Casey Cregan
No. 9 – 5
9. NC State Wolfpack – Last Week: 9 – (6-2) – Arguably the worst 6-2 team in the country, especially without Pre-Season ACC Player of the Year Devin Leary. The Pack did manage to come back on Thursday night versus Virginia Tech behind MJ Morris, but the defense showed some holes, especially on the back end in allowing 21 points all through the air for VT. MJ Morris looked really bad in the first half, and then looked really pretty good in the 2nd. We’ll see what happens going forward. Big test this weekend. Next up: vs. Wake Forest
8. Duke Blue Devils – Last Week: 6 – (5-3) – Poor Duke. Just by being Duke, they dropped two spots in the Power Rankings this week because of the chaos around them. There’s still time for the 5-3 Blue Devils to move up. They should get a win this weekend against BC, but the way this conference has gone lately, you never know. Next up: @ Boston College (Friday 11/4)
7. Pitt Panthers – Last Week: 8 – (4-4) – Pitt moves up a spot because they had UNC on the ropes for three quarters before not being able to keep up with the high-flying Tar Heel offense for the fourth. Not many have been able to keep up with the Tar Heels. Pitt is playing better, however, it must be brutal as a Pitt fan to watch their team because you never know what you’re going to get week to week. Next up: vs. Syracuse
6. Louisville Cardinals – Last Week: 7 – (5-3) – In arguably the biggest surprise of the weekend, the Cardinals whipped up on Wake Forest and it really wasn’t close. The Cards forced 8 Deacon turnovers, including 5 of 6 consecutive drives in the third quarter. Wake could not get out of their own way, and the athletes that litter the field for Louisville finally came together to put together a surprising, and complete victory. RB Tiyon Evans ran for 106 yards and a score. Next up: vs. James Madison
5. Syracuse Orange – Last Week: 4 – (6-2) – Syracuse parlayed their loss to Clemson with a consecutive loss at home against Notre Dame. Just after the announcers were gushing over Garrett Shrader’s accuracy, he throws an interception/pick 6 on the first pass of the game which pretty much told the story for the entirety of the game. Shrader left the game early and was not very productive at all. Freshman Carlos Del Rio-Wilson was a burst of excitement for the Orange, but it was not enough to beat the Fighting Irish. Next up: @ Pitt