It was a big of a calm before the storm in Week 2 for the college football teams in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Several more games that will count in the conference standings are on tap as the ACC heads into Week 3. Things were fairly quiet around the league last weekend, but there were a few changes in our power rankings and just one team remains winless.
1. Miami (Fla.) (2-0)
Last week: 1.
This week: at Wake Forest.
What to know: The Hurricanes’ first two opponents were hopelessly overmatched, but Darian Mensah has been on target regardless. Wake might provide a better test for the Miami defense.
2. SMU (2-0)
Last week: 2.
This week: at Louisville.
What to know: The Mustangs worked out a few kinks and were turnover-free against UC Davis. Kevin Jennings and Co. will need to be more
efficient in the red zone against Louisville than they were at Florida State.
3. Virginia (2-0)
Last week: 3.
This week: West Virginia.
What to know: This is the first power conference opponent for the Mountaineers, while the Cavaliers have that ACC victory from August against NC State in hand. Nevertheless, the UVa defense must be ready for some actual downfield threats.
4. Louisville (1-1)
Last week: 4.
This week: SMU.
What to know: The Cardinals will be better equipped to take advantage of possible SMU miscues, and they seem to have a star in the making in Lincoln Kienholz. A shootout similar to the Ole Miss opener could be on tap.
5. Duke (2-0)
Last week: 8.
This week: Stanford.
What to know: The Blue Devils earn a promotion for continuing their non-conference revenge tour with a defeat of Illinois. RB Nate Sheppard is flashing all-conference potential.
6. Pittsburgh (2-0)
Last week: 5.
This week: Syracuse.
What to know: The Panthers survived a rainy slog with Central Florida. Both Pitt and the Orange will be on short rest for this Thursday night special.
7. Virginia Tech (2-0)
Last week: 6.
This week: at Maryland.
What to know: We still don’t know a whole lot about the Hokies, but Ethan Grunkemeyer has been sharp in a couple of tuneups. The defense must be ready for agile Maryland QB Malik Washington.
8. Wake Forest (2-0)
Last week: 7.
This week: Miami.
What to know: The Demon Deacons are likely going to fall from the ranks of the unbeaten Friday night, but Gio Lopez has done a good job running the offense. Wake has just one takeaway in two games and will need several to pull an upset.
9. California (1-1)
Last week: 8.
This week: Wagner.
What to know: The Golden Bears were gifted a win at the Dome, but it was a rough day for the offense. A home date with Clemson follows this walkover.
10. North Carolina State (1-1)
Last week: 14.
This week: at Vanderbilt.
What to know: Hanging 73 on Richmond might have been cathartic, but it didn’t really answer the question of whether the Wolfpack can solve an SEC defense. The good news for State is the post-Diego Pavia Commodores aren’t likely to put up many points themselves.
11. Clemson (1-1)
Last week: 12.
This week: at North Carolina.
What to know: The Tigers’ offense isn’t fixed by any stretch, but it ran marginally better with freshman Tait Reynolds at the controls. He’ll get the start against the Tar Heels.
12. North Carolina (2-0)
Last week: 9.
This week: Clemson.
What to know: UNC’s defeat of East Tennessee State didn’t provide answers for the offense. The Clemson game is quite winnable, however, if the Tar Heels can repeat the script from their TCU victory of field position and fewer mistakes.
13. Florida State (1-1)
Last week: 11.
This week: at Alabama.
What to know: The Seminoles will not spring an opening-week ambush against the Crimson Tide like they did last year. FSU must hope Alabama will be as generous with the ball as SMU was.
14. Georgia Tech (0-2)
Last week: 13.
This week: Mercer.
What to know: The Yellow Jackets will get into the win column, but they’ll eventually have to steal a conference win on the road to reach bowl eligibility. Look for a strong emphasis on the ground game in this one.
15. Syracuse (1-1)
Last week: 15.
This week: at Pittsburgh.
What to know: The Orange have little time to dwell on letting the Cal game slip away. The performance of the pass defense was a positive sign heading to Pitt, but the penalties have to be eliminated.
16. Boston College (1-1)
Last week: 17.
This week: Maine.
What to know: BC escapes the cellar for now thanks to its emotional win against Rutgers. The Eagles will use this workout to prepare for a key home date with Virginia Tech that could make or break their bowl chances.
17. Stanford (1-1)
Last week: 16.
This week: at Duke.
What to know: The good news for the Cardinal is Duke won’t sling it around like Hawaii and Miami did. But the Blue Devils’ ground defense has been quite stout, which could neutralize Stanford’s best line of attack.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: ACC power rankings Week 3: A new contender emerges as conference play nears
