Not much has changed since the last ACC power rankings after the last few weeks filled with chaos. The top six teams have all but solidified their spots at the top of the rankings, while the middle is still vying for position.
Duke is 6-2 with a loss against Georgia Tech and now a loss to SMU. However, the Blue Devils lost 28-27 in overtime, but their effort was outstanding. Duke held the Mustangs to under 30 points for the first time since their loss to BYU in September and was a missed field goal away from handing SMU its first ACC loss.
Other than that game, the field performed as expected. Georgia Tech and Syracuse dropped a spot after losing to much better teams. North Carolina was a bit of a surprise with a dominating win over Virginia. However, the Cavs aren't a great team, so UNC climbs just one spot. It switches places with Boston College, which lost to Louisville. The Eagles kept the game close, but UNC's win deserved some reward, and BC was just in the way.
Then, there was the Battle of the Bottom Feeders. Wake Forest came away with a win at Stanford to finally move away for the No. 17 position.
Rank | School | Game result | Previous rank |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Miami | W, FSU 36-14 | 1 |
2 | Clemson | BYE | 2 |
3 | SMU | W, Duke 28-27 | 3 |
4 | Pittsburgh | W, Syracuse 41-13 | 4 |
5 | Louisville | W, Boston College 31-27 | 5 |
6 | Virginia Tech | W, Georgia Tech 21-6 | 6 |
7 | Duke | L, SMU 28-27 | 9 |
8 | Georgia Tech | L, Virginia Tech 21-6 | 7 |
9 | Syracuse | L, Pitt 41-13 | 8 |
10 | California | W, Oregon State 44-7 | 10 |
11 | North Carolina | W, Virginia 41-14 | 12 |
12 | Boston College | L, Louisville 31-27 | 11 |
13 | NC State | BYE | 13 |
14 | Florida State | L, Miami 36-14 | 14 |
15 | Virginia | L, North Carolina 41-14 | 15 |
16 | Wake Forest | W, Stanford 27-24 | 17 |
17 | Stanford | L, Wake Forest 27-24 | 16 |