ACC power rankings after Week 4: Florida State cements itself as ACC's top team
The ACC’s Week 4 is in the books.
Florida State and Clemson delivered one of the best games of the season so far, with the Noles prevailing in overtime. It was FSU’s first win in Death Valley since 2013.
The other top 6 teams in this ranking all won by double-digits in Week 4. Meanwhile, it continues to be a struggle for the teams at the bottom of this league.
The ACC enters Week 5 with an impressive 6 teams still holding undefeated records.
Here are Saturday Road’s updated power rankings after Week 4:
14. Virginia Tech (Last week: 14)
When it rains, it pours. Virginia Tech was an underdog against Marshall this week. As bad as that is, it’s even worse to actually lose the game — and not cover the spread.
13. Virginia (Last week: 13)
Virginia should have upset NC State on Friday night. It didn’t, so it remains at No. 13 in these rankings. But the Cavaliers have something in Anthony Colandrea. It might take another year to refine what it is, but it’s there.
12. Boston College (Last week: 12)
Boston College got smoked by Louisville this week. Another tough game for Jeff Hafley and Co. If there’s one bright spot: Thomas Castellanos can play. He’s good enough that the Eagles might be able to steal a home game or two from someone (like they almost did vs. Florida State) later in the year.
11. Pitt (Last week: 11)
Pitt lost by multiple scores at home to North Carolina to move to 1-3. The Panthers’ lone win so far this season came against Wofford. It speaks to how poor the bottom of the ACC is that Pitt is as high as 11 in these rankings.
10. Wake Forest (Last week: 7)
Tough loss for Wake Forest, who hasn’t looked good for a couple weeks now. Wake needs Mitch Griffis to sort out his interception issues, and quickly. He’s thrown 6 already, which is tied for the most in the ACC.
9. Georgia Tech (Last week: 10)
What a win for Brent Key and the Yellow Jackets! They won comfortably over a Wake Forest team that entered the game with a 3-0 record. Winning on the road at Wake Forest is no easy task — to do it by 2 touchdowns is impressive.
8. NC State (Last week: 9)
NC State snuck past Virginia to move to 1-0 in ACC play this season. The Wolfpack still have some major issues, but this was an important game to win on the road.
7. Syracuse (Last week: 6)
Syracuse drops back a spot to make room for Louisville. I considered moving the Orange ahead of Clemson, but I ultimately think the Tigers just have much more talent on both sides of the ball. Even with Clemson’s 2 losses, it’s hard to justify moving it behind Syracuse. As fate would have it, we won’t have to wait much longer to learn who is better — the Orange host Clemson in Week 5.
6. Clemson (Last week: 5)
Clemson drops back a spot after its heartbreaking loss to Florida State. The Tigers had every opportunity to win the game, but couldn’t get it done in the end. The result is an 0-2 start in ACC play. Clemson still has 3 undefeated teams left on its schedule, plus Notre Dame and South Carolina.
5. Louisville (Last week: 8)
Louisville jumps all the way up to No. 5 this week after it crushed Boston College. This is a well-overdue promotion for the Cardinals, who are now 4-0 on the season with a trio of Power-5 victories.
4. Duke (Last week: 4)
Don’t look now, but Duke is 4-0. The Blue Devils housed UConn on the road on Saturday. It was an impressive performance in what could have been a trap game with Notre Dame looming in Week 5.
3. Miami (Last week: 3)
Miami took care of business vs. Temple on the road, closing out a stellar nonconference slate. This was a potential trap game for the Hurricanes, given their hot start and the fact that this was their first road test. But the outcome was never in doubt here. Miami is still humming on both sides of the ball.
2. North Carolina (Last week: 2)
North Carolina did enough to hold onto the top spot with its performance vs. Pittsburgh. Drake Maye accounted for 3 total touchdowns and UNC’s defense forced a trio of turnovers in the win. The Tar Heels are 4-0 and look like real threats in the ACC.
1. Florida State (Last week: 1)
Florida State cemented its spot at the top of these rankings for the foreseeable future with its overtime win in Death Valley. FSU battled back from a double-digit deficit. The Noles have shown he flexibility and resiliency to win in a number of ways. Now, the schedule will lighten up for several weeks. But first, FSU gets a well-deserved off week in Week 5.