ACC football power rankings: Week 3

With two weeks in the books, some answers are beginning to emerge to the questions we all had for each of the 14 teams across the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Week 3 will definitely provide even more answers as it will bring a showdown between the two current frontrunners to take home the ACC Championship hardware come December.

How does the conference stack up heading into the third week of the 2017 season? Let’s take a look:

1. Clemson (2-0, no change from last week)

The Tigers’ defense was dominant in Clemson’s 14-6 win over Auburn, holding Jarrett Stidham’s AU offense to less than two yards per play while new starting quarterback Kelly Bryant did what was asked of him in his first primetime start.

Up next: After two home games to start the year, the Tigers head to Louisville for a game that will create an early ACC frontrunner.

2. Louisville (2-0, 1-0 in ACC, up one spot from last week)

UL got its ACC slate off to a solid start with a 47-35 win at North Carolina on Saturday behind 525 yards of offense from Lamar Jackson.

Up next: The Cardinals return home this weekend with revenge on their minds coming into a showdown with Clemson, who snuck out with a 42-36 win last year.

3. Florida State (0-1, down one spot from last week)

Hurricane Irma prevented the Seminoles from playing in their regularly scheduled season opener against Louisiana-Monroe on Saturday.

Up next: Long-lasting effects of Irma have also postponed FSU’s scheduled matchup with Miami from this upcoming weekend to October 7th. Instead, true freshman quarterback James Blackman will make his debut in two weeks against NC State.

4. Virginia Tech (2-0, no change from last week)

Not many style points to be found, but the Hokies comfortably took care of business in a 27-0 victory over the Delaware Blue Hens in their home opener Saturday.

Up next: VT will be a three-touchdown road favorite this weekend in its matchup with East Carolina, who has stumbled out of the gate with two rough losses.

5. Miami (1-0, no change from last week)

The Hurricanes’ planned road trip to Arkansas State was sidetracked by Hurricane Irma as is their matchup with FSU originally scheduled for this weekend in Tallahassee.

Up next: With two consecutive games postponed/cancelled, UM will have three weeks between its season opener against Bethune-Cookman and its next game, a home clash with Toledo on September 23rd.

6. NC State (1-1, no change from last week)

The Wolfpack struggled early before running away with a 37-20 victory over Marshall Saturday in its home opener. Quarterback Ryan Finley led the way with 346 passing yards and three touchdowns on 29-36 passing.

Up next: NC State will be favored heavily when it takes on the 0-2 Furman Paladins in Raleigh this weekend.

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

GT got into the win column for the first time this season Saturday with a 37-10 romp over the Jacksonville State Gamecocks. Georgia Tech wide receiver Ricky Jeune caught two passes, both touchdowns, for 50 yards.

Up next: GT’s scheduled road game at UCF this weekend was cancelled Monday, giving the Yellow Jackets a two-week break to get ready for their ACC opener against Pittsburgh.

8. Duke (2-0, up three spots from last week)

Duke was a two-point home underdog to Northwestern. The Blue Devils turned the tables in a major way, smashing the Wildcats 41-17 behind four touchdowns and over 400 total yards from quarterback Daniel Jones.

Up next: The Blue Devils return to action this weekend for a matchup which looks much easier than it did a few weeks ago, a home game against 0-2 Baylor.

9. Wake Forest (2-0, 1-0 in ACC, up three spots from last week)

The Demon Deacons thrashed Boston College 34-10 in Chestnut Hill in their first ACC game over the season led by a defensive effort which forced four BC turnovers.

Up next: Wake looks to improve to 3-0 at home this Saturday, playing host to the Utah State Aggies.

10. Pittsburgh (1-1, down two spots from last week)

Pitt was unable to make it two straight wins over Penn State, falling 33-14 to the Nittany Lions in State College in a game that wasn’t really as close as the score indicated.

Up next: The Panthers take on a top-ten opponent for the second straight week when the No. 9 Oklahoma State Cowboys head to Pittsburgh Saturday.

11. North Carolina (0-2, 0-1 in ACC, down two spots from last week)

UNC went blow for blow with Louisville for three quarters before it was outscored 20-7 in the fourth quarter of its 47-35 loss to the Cardinals.

Up next: The Tar Heels look for their first win of the 2017 season Saturday, going on the road to take on 2-0 Old Dominion.

12. Syracuse (1-1, down two spots from last week)

Cuse may have been the ACC goat this week after a disappointing 30-23 home loss to Middle Tennessee State. The Orange’s bright side is undeniable, but Saturday’s loss exposed a need for more consistency under Dino Babers.

Up next: Syracuse remains at home this week, looking to bounce back against MAC opponent Central Michigan.

13. Boston College (1-1, no change from last week)

BC looked overwhelmed in a disappointing 34-10 home loss against Wake Forest on Saturday, casting Steve Addazio’s job status into some doubt.

Up next: BC’s degree of difficulty ramps up this week as the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, fresh off a loss to the Georgia Bulldogs, come to town.

14. Virginia (1-1, no change from last week)

Home-field advantage wasn’t much help for the Cavaliers, who lost 34-17 to Indiana in their first game against an FBS opponent this year.

Up next: The Hoos will stay in Charlottesville this weekend to take on the Connecticut Huskies in the return trip of a game the two played last season in East Hartford.