Not even halfway through the conference portion of the schedule, the picture in ACC football is a hot mess. With the exception of league leader and odds-on favorite Miami, every team has been tagged with at least one conference loss.
In Week 6, the last teams other than the Hurricanes fell from the ranks of the unbeaten, resulting in yet another shuffle of the power rankings. There are sure to be more changes to come – that’s how this works, after all –, but here’s where we stand heading into Week 7.
1. Miami (5-0)
Last week: 1.
This week: Florida State.
What to know: We recognize that weird things happen in rivalry games, but a couple quick strikes could put their biggest rival on ice early. Darian Mensah’s completion percentage actually dropped to 84.2% with
the date at Clemson, but it’s hard to find fault with the functionality of the offense.
2. Wake Forest (5-1)
Last week: 4.
This week: At California.
What to know: The long journey to the Bay Area is always a concern, but the Demon Deacons have done well on the road thus far. Gio Lopez has accounted for 19 total touchdowns, 13 by air and six by land.
3. SMU (4-1)
Last week: 5.
This week: Virginia.
What to know: The schedule sets up well for the Mustangs with their toughest remaining games at home. Kevin Jennings hasn’t been taking off as much this season but could do so more often against the Cavaliers, who have been susceptible to mobile quarterbacks.
4. Pittsburgh (5-1)
Last week: 3.
This week: At Boston College.
What to know: The Pitt offense understandably took a step back with Mason Heintschel sidelined, but it was a couple of terrible coverage busts that undid the Panthers against North Carolina. Pitt needs a bounce-back performance on the road to stay in the ACC title chase.
5. Duke (4-1)
Last week: 2.
This week: North Carolina
What to know: There’s even greater urgency than usual for this rivalry contest with both Triangle teams hoping to avoid a second conference loss. The Blue Devils’ defense that couldn’t get a needed fourth-quarter stop at Georgia Tech must rediscover its September form.
6. Clemson (3-2)
Last week: 8.
This week: Charleston Southern.
What to know: This tuneup comes at a good time for the Tigers as freshman QB Tait Reynolds looks to breathe some life into a moribund attack. The defense is strong enough to hang with anyone left on the ACC docket, but more points will eventually be required.
7. North Carolina (3-2)
Last week: 10.
This week: At Duke.
What to know: The Tar Heels did enough to take advantage of a short-handed Pitt squad. This was the sort of game they need to win if they are to truly turn a corner.
8. Louisville (3-3)
Last week: 11.
This week: At Syracuse.
What to know: A fourth-down stop and a 97-yard Isaac Brown run in the Florida State game might have altered the course of both programs the rest of the season. The Cardinals will need help to win the league but must handle this business trip first.
9. Virginia Tech (4-2)
Last week: 7.
This week: Georgia Tech.
What to know: While the Hokies are a couple of plays from being undefeated, the opportunities they missed can’t be undone. Finishing drives is a must for Virginia Tech, as the Yellow Jackets will be coming to Blacksburg with confidence.
10. Florida State (3-3)
Last week: 6.
This week: At Miami.
What to know: Perhaps the most concerning aspect of the Louisville loss was the mental fragility the Seminoles displayed when failing to take a 21-point lead turned into an all-out collapse. The focus will be there with a rivalry game looming, but the execution has to be perfect for FSU to have any shot at taking down the Hurricanes.
11. California (3-3)
Last week: 13.
This week: Wake Forest.
What to know: The Bears might have salvaged their season with the Virginia Tech victory engineered by backup QB Jackson Brousseau. They hope to have Jeron-Keawe Sagapolutele back for the visit from Wake Forest, but his availability might not be known until game time.
12. Virginia (4-2)
Last week: 12.
This week: At SMU.
What to know: The Cavaliers did enough to overcome a Syracuse team that can’t seem to get out of its own way. UVa will have to be much sharper on both sides of the ball to topple SMU on the road.
13. North Carolina State (3-3)
Last week: 9.
This week: Open date.
What to know: The Wolfpack looked quite formidable at times, but the first half of the season was bookended by games in which they were completely dominated. They must hope the Friday night trip to Stanford after this week off will be their get-right opportunity.
14. Georgia Tech (2-3)
Last week: 17.
This week: At Virginia Tech.
What to know: The Yellow Jackets finally put together a winning drive in the final moments. They must continue to create openings on the ground to help Alberto Mendoza.
15. Boston College (2-3)
Last week: 14.
This week: Pittsburgh.
What to know: The Eagles will have the advantage of resting last week as they welcome Pitt to Chestnut Hill. The defense has held up fairly well in a couple of close losses, but QB Mason McKenzie will need to be more accurate.
16. Syracuse (2-3)
Last week: 15.
This week: Louisville.
What to know: Down to their third-string quarterback, the Orange were actually in decent shape for a half at Virginia before being beset by a familiar litany of mistakes. Fran Brown's eam might need to simplify things moving forward and hope the defense can hold up.
17. Stanford (2-4)
Last week: 16.
This week: Elon.
What to know: After back-to-back road thrashings, this home date with an FCS opponent is desperately needed. Cardinal QB Davis Warren must make the most of what everyone hopes will be an abbreviated outing.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: ACC college football power rankings: Miami now followed by Wake Forest after Week 6
