Clemson Football: ACC Power Rankings Headed into Week 10
By Casey Cregan
4 – 1
4. Florida State Seminoles – Last Week: 5 – (5-3) – I am a believer in the Noles, more so after playing Clemson. Jordan Travis threw for career-high 396 yards and 3 touchdowns as his team battled back from being down early and a couple of inopportune turnovers in the red zone to blow out Georgia Tech. It isn’t often that Miami is a home underdog in the rivalry game with the Seminoles, but this upcoming weekend, that’s the case. FSU is currently a 7.5-point favorite on the road. Next up: @ Miami
3. Wake Forest Demon Deacons – Last Week: 2 – (6-2) – Goodness gracious the Demon Deacs were really bad against Louisville. 8 turnovers bad. Sam Hartman essentially gave up midway through the third quarter en route to a surprising loss to Louisville. I am still a believer in this squad, and think they bounce back. In what would have been a marquee match-up a few weeks ago, NC State awaits next. I’m looking forward to that one. I think Wake bounces back. Otherwise, they wouldn’t still be in the top 5 of my power rankings. Next up: @ NC State
2. North Carolina Tar Heels – Last Week: 3 – (7-1) – Drake Maye, Drake Maye, Drake Maye. I’m sorry Hendon Hooker, CJ Stroud and other media darlings. Drake Maye is the best quarterback in college football, and if there weren’t such a negative narrative about the ACC, Maye would be on the cover of every magazine (are there still magazines anymore?), the front page of all the websites, etc. You get it. The freshman is putting up video game numbers every week, and the offense is very good. The defense is getting better, but they really don’t need to be that great with how high-powered the offense is. Next up: vs. Virginia
1. Clemson Tigers – Last Week: 1 (8-0) – The bye week came at a good time for the Tigers. However, there are still questions going into a huge road game against the 5-3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish that is seemingly peaking at the right time. Will Clemson get the really good DJ Uiagalelei, in a place where he thrived a few seasons ago? Or will they get the DJ from two weeks ago versus Syracuse. The sample size says it should be the DJ that Clemson fans have seen during the first 7 weeks and week 8 was an outlier. At least I hope. Should be a good one in South Bend. Next up: @ Notre Dame