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Finally, all these ACC schools can find out what we think about them and go on with their planning for the weekend’s games.
[Horizontal lines indicate tiers, in addition to being horizontal lines]
1. Clemson (7-0, 5-0 ACC) Aggregate Rank: 1; Movement: None
The Tigers remain atop the conference.
2. Virginia (5-2, 3-1 ACC) AR: 2.5; Movement: None
After dismantling Duke, the Cavaliers solidified their place as chief bridesmaids to Clemson. The Wahoos certainly aren’t without their flaws, but someone has to be ranked here.
3. Wake Forest (6-1, 2-1 ACC) AR: 3.83; Movement: Up two spots
The Demon Deacons rise into the top three after defending their home field against the ’Noles. Let the wine flow on the ever-discerning Snuggy Hill.
4. Florida State (3-4, 2-3 ACC) AR: 4.66; Movement: Down one spot
After the way FSU lost to the Deacs, wine just isn’t cutting it anymore in Tallahassee. This team just keeps finding new ways to do something wrong in tight games.
5. Miami (FL) (3-4, 1-3 ACC) AR: 5.58; Movement: Down one spot
After losing to Georgia Tech, well...
But at least the Hurricanes aren’t the biggest laughing stock in Miami football.
6. North Carolina (3-4, 2-2 ACC) AR: 6.16; Movement: None
Mack Brown has come back down to earth. Hope he didn’t hurt his hip.
7. Pitt (5-2, 2-1 ACC) AR: 6.91; Movement: Up one spot
Pitt deserves better than this. Beat Miami on Saturday, and it’ll happen.
8. Louisville (4-3, 2-2 ACC) AR: 7.08; Movement: Down one spot
Don’t care.
9. Duke (4-3, 2-2 ACC) AR: 8.5; Movement: None
We don’t know why Duke gets their own tier. We just know they probably like it and find it overdue.
10. NC State (4-3, 1-2 ACC) AR: 10.25; Movement: None
Next.
11. Syracuse (3-4, 0-3 ACC) AR: 11.41; Movement: None
What a disappointing season for ’Cuse. A win over FSU wouldn’t mean what it used to, but the Orange will still be at the bar— putting the vibe out.
12. Boston College (4-3, 2-2 ACC) AR: 11.5; Movement: None
BC may have figured something out. Bostonians aren’t supposed to be pretty— they’re just supposed to get the job done, even if they’re not that talented.
13. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (5-2, 2-2 ACC) AR: 11.58; Movement: None
Congrats, VT. You’re the top Tech school in the conference. But question: can an empty trophy case become more empty?
14. Georgia Tech (2-5, 1-3 ACC) AR: 14; Movement: None
The Jackets probably deserve a bump after winning at Miami, but it’s even more of a shot at the ’Canes to keep them right here at the bottom. Which, as it turns out, is still pretty easy.
What we learned:
Learned? From ACC football in 2019? Clemson excepted, this conference is an absolute mess. It’s like a fire-safety day at Dunder Mifflin: just when one seems on the rise, perhaps to escape the disaster below, they come crashing back down through a ceiling tile elsewhere.
Honorable Mention: UConn
Remember when the Huskies were floated as a possible addition to the ACC because of their hoops prowess and feisty little football program? Well its cagers haven’t made the NCAA Tournament since 2016 and its gridders are one of the worst teams in the FBS, a 1-6 squad ranked 126th of 130 teams. Translation: they’d fit right in on the gridiron.
But hey, at least UConn isn’t considered the country’s worst team. Nope, spot 130 of 130 belongs to UMass, led by FSU’s 2018 offensive coordinator and self-appointed genius Walt Bell. Also, the Huskies’ special teams are ranked 12 spots higher than Florida State’s. But when has kicking ever cost the Seminoles a game? Sleep tight.