There were only six games involving ACC teams in Week 7, and two of those were non-conference contests, so there isn’t much movement at the top or bottom this week.
Still, the lighter Saturday was highlighted by Florida State's eight consecutive ACC loss after a 34-31 defeat at home to Pitt. The surging Panthers need to be taken more seriously. Clemson is also gaining steam and confidence after a 41-10 win over Boston College.
Here’s where every ACC team stands heading into Week 8:
1. Miami Hurricanes
A week off should lead to a refreshed and focused Hurricanes team facing an intriguing foe in Louisville.
2. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Haynes King and the Ramblin’ Wreck keep on chugging along with a 15-point win over Virginia Tech to stay unbeaten in ACC play.
3. Virginia Cavaliers
A week off and the team’s toughest two games behind them has Tony Elliott’s squad looking like a real contender.
4. Louisville Cardinals
Still not sure if this is where the Cardinals belong, but the Miami game will help.
5. Duke Blue Devils
Duke is one of three 3-0 ACC teams and deserves this kind of respect.
6. Clemson Tigers
It was another easy win over a struggling opponent for the Tigers, but the offense is humming right now.
7. Pittsburgh Panthers
Beating FSU, even on the road, seems common these days, but how the Panthers did it with a freshman QB justifies a major bump.
8. SMU Mustangs
The Ponies took care of business against a bad Stanford squad, and this week will be their biggest test with a trip to Clemson.
9. Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Wake can’t help that Oregon State is having a debacle of a season, but an easy win is still something to enjoy for the Deacs.
10. Cal Bears
Cal gets to sit tight after a week off.
11. Florida State Seminoles
How much worse can it get before FSU makes some serious changes?
12. Syracuse Orange
Fran Brown’s squad moves up a spot without playing because other teams looked bad.
13. NC State Wolfpack
The Wolfpack weren’t expected to really challenge Notre Dame on the road, but they were completely outclassed in the second half of a 29-point loss.
14. Virginia Tech Hokies
There is no more “we fired our coach midseason” boost here.
15. Boston College Eagles
The poor Eagles are too banged up to compete, as the defense got shredded in the first half by Clemson.
15. Stanford Cardinal
Another non-competitive showing on the road has this program going nowhere but down.
17. North Carolina Tar Heels
It’s never a good thing that you’re a major national story during your bye week because you’re a chaotic program.