Miami continues to show the way in the ACC and now has two road win in the conference among its first three games. But where were some movement in this week's power rankings as results near the top changed the pecking order.
A key result in Louisville has now definitively identified the top challenger for the Hurricanes. And oh yeah, the defending league champions from Duke can’t be counted out either. Near the bottom, there was a disappointing finish that spoiled a potentially big non-conference road win.
1. Miami (Fla.) (3-0)
Last week: 1.
This week: Central Michigan.
What to know: The Hurricanes will do something they haven’t done all season this week – actually play on Saturday. A trip to Death Valley follows this tuneup.
2. Louisville (2-1)
Last week: 4.
This week: Wake Forest.
What to
know: The rest of the Cardinals’ ACC slate is quite manageable, but that also means few opportunities for quality wins. First things first though – the Demon Deacons have enough weapons in the passing game to cause trouble if Louisville isn’t prepared.
3. Duke (3-0)
Last week: 5.
This week: William & Mary.
What to know: Did we mention that Nate Sheppard is the real deal? The Blue Devils have a good chance to be 6-0 when they head to Virginia for a Friday night special on Oct. 23.
4. SMU (2-1)
Last week: 2.
This week: Missouri State.
What to know: The good news is the Mustangs are capable of outscoring most of the teams remaining on their schedule. Unfortunately the go-for-broke style Kevin Jennings can’t seem to shake could mean there’s another stumble in the offing as well.
5. Pittsburgh (3-0)
Last week: 6.
This week: Bucknell.
What to know: We’ll learn more about the Panthers a week from Friday when a tough league road slate opens at Virginia Tech. Mason Heintschel would like to improve on his 63.4% completion accuracy, though he’s only been picked once.
6. Virginia Tech (3-0)
Last week: 7.
This week: at Boston College.
What to know: TE Luke Reynolds has emerged as a top playmaker for QB Ethan Grunkemeyer. This road contest against the Eagles won’t pose a major challenge if the Hokies are indeed an upper-tier team in the conference.
7. Virginia (2-1)
Last week: 3.
This week: Delaware.
What to know: The only good news for the Cavaliers is the West Virginia loss doesn’t figure in the ACC standings. But they’ll encounter more mobile quarterbacks in the coming weeks and must find a way to adjust.
8. California (2-1)
Last week: 9.
This week: Clemson.
What to know: The Golden Bears don’t leave the Pacific time zone again until late October, so they must take advantage of their home opportunities beginning with this one. QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele is still the focal point, but the Clemson defense must also account for RB Adam Mohammed.
9. Wake Forest (2-1)
Last week: 8.
This week: at Louisville.
What to know: While there were definitely some things to like for Wake fans against Miami, the Demon Deacons must get a handle on the penalty issues. Only Syracuse and Texas-San Antonio are giving away more yards due to flags in the Bowl Subdivision.
10. Clemson (2-1)
Last week: 11.
This week: at California.
What to know: Whether Tait Reynolds should have been starting all along is debatable, as having the freshman take his first snaps in a nationally televised game at LSU might not have been particularly beneficial to his development. In any event, he’ll have to show he can lead the Tigers to road wins eventually, and if he can do it here in Berkeley there might indeed be hope for Clemson to salvage its season.
11. Florida State (1-2)
Last week: 13.
This week: Central Arkansas.
What to know: For whatever reason Alabama seems to bring out the best in the Seminoles, though it wasn’t quite enough this time. A difficult October is on tap, so FSU will make the most of this tuneup.
12. North Carolina (2-1)
Last week: 12.
This week: Open date.
What to know: Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory at Clemson does not bode well for the Tar Heels, who don’t have many easy wins left on their schedule. Next week’s home date with Notre Dame will get ugly in a hurry if the offense can’t find answers.
13. North Carolina State (1-2)
Last week: 10.
This week: Appalachian State.
What to know: It might not be hyperbole to say the Wolfpack will never live down that disastrous finish at Vanderbilt. Nevertheless, they must now find a way to regroup as they take on an in-state foe accustomed to punching above its weight against the ACC’s Big Four.
14. Boston College (2-1)
Last week: 16.
This week: Virginia Tech.
What to know: The Eagles earn a slight promotion thanks to Rutgers putting up a stronger-than-expected fight against Southern California, giving last week’s victory a bit more cachet. But BC’s lackluster outing against Maine doesn’t instill confidence there will be many more wins to be had.
15. Georgia Tech (1-2)
Last week: 14.
This week: at Stanford.
What to know: The Yellow Jackets handled Mercer but took some collateral damage from Colorado’s faceplant at Northwestern. Bowl eligibility is already a long shot for Tech, and a loss on this long trip to the Bay Area would make it all but impossible.
16. Syracuse (1-2)
Last week: 15.
This week: Open date.
What to know: Though many of the problems for the Orange should be fixable, the fact remains they’re now in an 0-2 hole in the conference standings. Next week’s visit to Connecticut is all but a must-win to keep postseason hopes alive.
17. Stanford (1-2)
Last week: 17.
This week: Georgia Tech.
What to know: This might be the Cardinal’s best chance to escape the cellar. RB Micah Ford, with 245 total yards from scrimmage, has been among the few bright spots for the Stanford offense.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Louisville surges into No. 2 spot in ACC college football power rankings
