ACC Power Rankings
By: will-vandervort October 1, 2015

It is a big weekend for the ACC. There are five conference matchups this weekend, highlighted by Louisville’s visit to undefeated NC State as we will finally find out how good the Wolfpack are after winning four cupcakes to open the season.

The big game of course its No. 6 Notre Dame’s trip to No. 11 Clemson, which will be in primetime (8 p.m.) on ABC. The Tigers, the favorite to win the ACC this year, will be carrying the conference flag as it tries to win an important game in its march to the College Football Playoffs. From an out-conference game standpoint, this is without a doubt the biggest game for the ACC as it tries not to get left out of the College Football Playoff picture.

  1. Clemson (3-0, 1-0 ACC), Last week No. 1: The Tigers did not play last week. Notre Dame is averaging 285 yards a game on the ground this season, Clemson is coming off a game in which it held Louisville to 19 total rushing yards. Louisville averaged 0.7 yards per carry. Who is next: vs. No. 6 Notre Dame, 8:22 p.m., Saturday
  2. Florida State (3-0, 1-0 ACC), Last week No. 2: The Seminoles did not play last week. FSU has won the last three games against Wake Forest by a combined score of 154-6. FSU’s scored defense ranks sixth nationally. Who is next: at Wake Forest, 3:30 p.m., Saturday
  3. NC State (4-0, 0-0 ACC), Last week No. 3: How good is NC State? We are about to find out. State has put up some impressive numbers in the first month of the season, but that came against Troy, Eastern Kentucky, Old Dominion and South Alabama. Louisville is going to be a big-time step up in competition. Who is next: vs. Louisville, 12:30 p.m., Saturday
  4. Duke (3-1, 1-0 ACC), Last week No. 6: Duke got a good win against Georgia Tech last week, but this week it host a Boston College team that is leading the nation in total defense. Who is next: vs. Boston College, 3:30 p.m., Saturday
  5. Miami (3-0, 0-0 ACC), Last week No. 5: The Hurricanes were off last week. The defense will be tested against a Cincinnati defense that racked up more than 600 yards of offense against Memphis last Thursday. Who is next: at Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m., tonight
  6. Boston College (3-1, 0-1 ACC), Last week No. 7: The Eagles lead the nation in total defense (118.0 ypg), passing defense (72.0), second in rushing defense (46.0) and second in scoring defense (7.8). Who is next: at Duke, 3:30 p.m., Saturday
  7. Georgia Tech (2-2, 0-1 ACC), Last week No. 4: In Paul Johnson’s offense, it can’t be good when a receiver collects a career-high in receptions and yards but that is what happened when Rickey Jeune caught four passes for 91 yards and a touchdown in a loss to Duke. Who is next: vs. North Carolina, 3:30 p.m., Saturday
  8. North Carolina (3-1, 0-0 ACC), Last week No. 11: The Tar Heels have won three straight and have looked doing it. Let’s see if its much improved defense can continue to improve in ACC competition. Who is next: at Georgia Tech, 3:30 p.m., Saturday
  9. Syracuse (3-1, 1-0 ACC), Last week No. 9: The Orange hung in there with LSU. Now they get a week off before next week’s great opportunity to go 4-1 in this young season. Who is next: at South Florida, Oct. 10
  10. Pitt (2-1, 0-0 ACC), Last week No. 10: With Fuller out in the Virginia Tech secondary, Pitt wide receiver Tyler Boyd is due to have a big game in Blacksburg. Who is next: at Virginia Tech, Noon, Saturday
  11. Virginia Tech (2-2, 0-0 ACC), Last week No. 8: The Hokies are still playing good defense. They rank 11 in the country in pass defense and 19th overall. Who is next: vs. Pitt, Noon, Saturday
  12. Louisville (1-3, 0-1 ACC), Last week No. 12: Quarterback Lamar Jackson had a great game against Samford last week. Now can he go on the road and do the same? Who is next: at NC State, 12:30 p.m., Saturday
  13. Wake Forest (2-2, 0-1 ACC), Last week No. 14: The Demon Deacons hung well against Indiana last week, but in the end it was a loss. This week will be difficult for them to do anything against a tough Florida State team. Who is next: vs. Florida State, 3:30 p.m., Saturday
  14. Virginia (1-3, 0-0 ACC), Last week No. 13: The week off could not have come at a better time. It appears following last week’s 56-14 home loss to Boise State, the Cavaliers are still smarting from letting Notre Dame off the hook three weeks ago. Who is next: at Pitt, Oct. 10