ACC football power rankings: Week 7

Week six of the college football season provided some entertaining matchups, in spite of the dreadful weather brought on by Hurricane Matthew over the weekend. How much did last weekend’s results shuffle around this week’s power rankings? It’s time to find out.

1. Clemson (6-0, 3-0, no change from last week)

No hangover effect was in affect for the Tigers last week, who thoroughly dismantled Boston College in its own stadium, 56-10. If they are truly back in 2015 form, the Tigers could be the most dangerous team in the entire country.

Up next: Clemson returns home this week for a Homecoming matchup with an NC State team which has won three straight after its unfavorable loss to East Carolina.

2. Louisville (4-1, 2-1, no change from last week)

The bye week did Louisville no harm in the rankings as the Tigers and Cardinals have established themselves as the top two teams in the conference.

Up next: Coming off the bye, UL welcomes in Duke for a mismatch between one of the top and one of the bottom teams in the conference.

3. Virginia Tech (4-1, 2-0, up three spots from last week)

VT was the sole ACC team which did not seemed at all affected by the horrific weather that was affecting the state of North Carolina on Saturday. The Hokies ran for almost 200 yards and two touchdowns in a dominating 34-3 road victory over North Carolina, putting themselves firmly in the driver’s seat of the Coastal Division in the process.

Up next: Virginia Tech looks to build off its positive momentum on its road trip up north to face off with Syracuse.

4. Florida State (4-2, 1-2, up one spot from last week)

The Seminoles held an FBS opponent under 30 points for the first time this season, overcoming a 13-0 deficit to defeat rival Miami for the seventh straight year. Problems remain for Florida State but there was a lot to like about the team’s improvement on Saturday.

Up next: FSU’s tough schedule takes no break as the ‘Noles will play host to a Wake Forest team that has exceeded expectations so far this season to the tune of a 5-1 record.

5. North Carolina (4-2, 2-1, down two spots from last week)

The Tar Heels came crashing down to Earth on Saturday, attempting 33 passes in the middle of a hurricane while they were waxed at home by Virginia Tech.

Up next: After UNC’s chances of repeating as Coastal Champs took a hit in the loss to VT, the road game at Miami this weekend has now become seemingly a must-win if the Heels want to keep up in the division race.

6. Miami (4-1, 1-1, down two spots from last week)

Miami’s first true test of its 2016 season came off as a disappointment as UM, ranked higher than Florida State for the first time they have met since 2010, blew a 13-0 lead and had an extra point blocked in the final minutes. The Canes showed their potential in flashes but junior quarterback Brad Kaaya disappeared down the stretch of the rivalry matchup, costing them dearly.

Up next: As is the case for UNC, Saturday’s game in Miami between the Hurricanes and the Tar Heels just became a must-win if UM has any desire of reaching its first-ever ACC Championship.

7. Wake Forest (5-1, 2-1, up one spot from last week)

Wake Forest has emerged as the surprise team in the Atlantic Coast Conference this season, most recently shutting down Syracuse’s up-tempo offense with ease in the 28-9 victory. The Demon Deacons have two more wins than they did in their entire 2015 season and we are not even halfway through October.

Up next: Wake’s defense, allowing just 18 points per game, faces what will be undeniably its toughest task to date, taking a trip to Tallahassee this weekend to square off with Florida State.

8. Pittsburgh (4-2, 1-1, down one spot from last week)

Pitt survived a scare at home, using a last-second field goal to dismiss Georgia Tech, 37-34, in a game that Pittsburgh desperately needed to remain the hunt for the Coastal Division.

Up next: The Panthers hit the road this week, traveling to Charlottesville for a showdown with a Virginia team that has won two straight after opening its season 0-3.

9. NC State (4-1, 1-0, no change from last week)

The Wolfpack are the latest team to take advantage of a struggling Notre Dame squad on its schedule, coming away with a 10-3 win in a sloppy game, figuratively as well as literally, which was marred by turnovers galore and tropical storm weather. It wasn’t always pretty but it was the third straight win for NCSU.

Up next: The difficulty ramps up quickly this week for NC State, who must go to Clemson in an attempt to end the Tigers’ undefeated season.

10. Georgia Tech (3-3, 1-3, no change from last week)

GT was incredibly close to improving to .500 in the ACC with a road win against Pittsburgh. Instead, it was the Jackets’ third straight loss after beginning the year with three straight wins and has head coach Paul Johnson firmly on the hot seat once again.

Up next: Georgia Tech looks to right the ship by returning to non-conference play this week, playing host to Georgia Southern in an attempt to get back above .500 on the season.

11. Syracuse (2-4, 0-2, no change from last week)

The Orange have made a bit of progress this season but Saturday’s loss to Wake Forest is proof of the fact that there’s plenty of room left for improvement as Cuse managed only one offensive score against a stingy WF defense.

Up next: Syracuse returns home this week in pursuit of its first conference win of the season. It will be no easy task for the Orange, however, as upstart Coastal Division leader Virginia Tech is coming to town.

12. Boston College (3-3, 0-3, no change from last week)

You knew it would be a long shot but BC put up little fight at home against Clemson on Friday night, falling to the Tigers 56-10. The offensive improvement that the Eagles have shown in stretches has disappeared in recent conference games, preventing them from snapping their 11-game ACC losing streak.

Up next: Boston College is the sole team in the conference that gets its bye in week seven.

13. Virginia (2-3, 1-0, no change from last week)

The Cavaliers were forced to put their two-game win streak on the burner this week as they were on their bye in week six, holding their spot above the bottom in large part due to their head-to-head victory over this week’s bottom dweller.

Up next: The Hoos look to make it three straight and remain undefeated in conference play with a 12:30 on Saturday home matchup with Pitt.

14. Duke (3-3, 0-2, no change from last week)

The Blue Devils did bounce back on Saturday, prevailing 13-6 in a defensive showdown with Army to improve their non-conference record to 3-1 on the year. In spite of this, the Devils remain in the bottom spot of this week’s rankings, although consideration of moving them up was given.

Up next: Duke’s attempt to get its first conference victory of the 2016 season will be likely be a futile one as the Blue Devils opened as 30-point underdogs in their Friday night road game at Louisville.