The ACC race continues to take shape as October continues. While Miami remains the clear favorite, a strong outing by Sunshine State rival Florida State indicates the Hurricanes might be in for a tougher than expected test in a couple of weeks.
Meanwhile, a couple other squads that looked like contenders a couple of weeks ago are trending in the wrong direction.
Here are our updated power rankings.
1. Miami (Fla.) (5-0)
Last week: 1.
This week: Open date.
What to know: The Hurricanes’ off week comes at a good time after a hard-hitting affair at Clemson that stay close for a while before they pulled away in the second half. Miami will be rested for Florida State’s visit on Oct. 17.
2. Duke (4-0)
Last week: 2.
This week: At Georgia Tech.
What to know: Nate Sheppard is averaging a shade
over seven yards per rushing attempt. The Yellow Jackets are allowing 189 yards a game on the ground.
3. Pittsburgh (5-0)
Last week: 3.
This week: North Carolina.
What to know: The Panthers got the win in Blacksburg and the Top 25 ranking their coach lobbied for, but the loss of Mason Heintschel to a season-ending knee injury could lower the team’s ceiling. Holden Geriner has primarily been a backup over his five-year collegiate career, but he managed the offense well to close out the Virginia Tech game.
4. Wake Forest (4-1)
Last week: 4.
This week: At North Carolina State.
What to know: The Demon Deacons enjoyed a rare drama-free victory. That will probably not be the case against the Wolfpack, as those two teams have staged some epic track meets over the years.
5. SMU (4-1)
Last week: 7.
This week: Open date.
What to know: The Mustangs have a chance to go on a nice run with four of their next five games at home and the lone road date in that stretch at Syracuse. Kevin Jennings is completing 75% of his throws, but fans and coaches would still like to see him cut down on the INTs.
6. Florida State (3-2)
Last week: 10.
This week: At Louisville.
What to know: From the ‘several things can be true’ department, the Seminoles have clearly shown improvement from early September, but they also exploited a loophole in the Virginia defense that was there for the taking. Ashton Daniels will probably have to do more through the air against a vulnerable Louisville secondary.
7. Virginia Tech (4-1)
Last week: 5.
This week: At California.
What to know: The fractions of an inch that negated the last-second field goal against Pitt could prove costly indeed. The ACC title isn’t out of the question, but the Hokies have a trip to Miami looming in late November.
8. Clemson (3-2)
Last week: 8.
This week: Open date.
What to know: Technically Dabo Swinney is correct that the ACC title is still attainable. But this offense just isn’t good enough for the Tigers to compete against comparable opponents.
9. North Carolina State (3-2)
Last week: 12.
This week: Wake Forest.
What to know: The Louisville victory demonstrated there’s enough talent for the Wolfpack to win a lot of games if they stop making crippling mistakes. CJ Bailey will look to stay hot after throwing for a career-best 373 yards.
10. North Carolina (2-2)
Last week: 11.
This week: At Pittsburgh.
What to know: A few big plays by the defense and special teams only made the Notre Dame score cosmetically better. Three of the Tar Heels’ next four opponents are also currently in the US LBM Coaches Poll Top 25, so the season could get away in a hurry.
11. Louisville (2-3)
Last week: 6.
This week: Florida State.
What to know: On the one hand, the Cardinals’ three losses have all been by three points to teams with winning records. But from a glass-half-empty perspective it means they must learn to close out tight contests, and FSU is suddenly looking feisty again.
12. Virginia (3-2)
Last week: 9.
This week: Syracuse.
What to know: The Cavaliers have just one loss on the conference ledger, but the way the Seminoles dominated both sides of the line of scrimmage was concerning to say the least. This is a must-win game at home to preserve any hope of returning to the league finale.
13. California (2-3)
Last week: 13.
This week: Virginia Tech.
What to know: A once promising season for the Golden Bears seems headed down the tubes. Whether Jeron-Keawe Sagapolutele will be available this week remains to be seen, but the rest of the offense needs to help its quarterback avoid punishment regardless of who is taking snaps.
14. Boston College (2-3)
Last week: 15.
This week: Open date.
What to know: The Eagles have at least been competitive in their ACC losses. Unfortunately, there likely aren’t enough winnable games remaining on the schedule to get to a bowl.
15. Syracuse (2-2)
Last week: 16.
This week: At Virginia.
What to know: Give the Orange credit for getting out of Connecticut with the win despite doing everything in their power to lose it. Reaching six wins will still be a challenge, and the team has to eliminate the litany of penalties and turnovers to have a chance in Charlottesville.
16. Stanford (2-3)
Last week: 14.
This week: At Notre Dame.
What to know: Alas, the Cardinal are probably in for another long day on the road. The only silver lining for Stanford is Davis Warren has only been picked off once despite being under constant duress.
17. Georgia Tech (1-3)
Last week: 17.
This week: Duke.
What to know: The offensive woes for the Yellow Jackets aren’t all on Alberto Mendoza, who actually has a decent completion percentage of 68.3% and almost 8 yards per attempt. If the season is to turn around, it has to start with line play.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Miami still No. 1, Florida State surging in ACC college football power rankings
