Chaos still rules the ACC, where a Friday upset in Miami, a grinder in Durham, and a few wild finishes only tightened the race for Charlotte instead of clarifying it. The top tier now has company, the middle
is a mosh pit, and the next few weeks will determine whose play holds up—and whose luck finally runs out.
17. Boston College (1-6, 0-4 ACC)
A nonconference drubbing at home to UConn was just the latest setback. The quarterback change sparked a few drives, but the defense again gave up chunk plays and third-down conversions. With a brutal second-half schedule ahead, Bill O’Brien needs his team to execute better just to keep games competitive.
16. North Carolina (2-4, 0-2 ACC)
Ball security told the story. A fumble at the goal line ended a road comeback and summed up a larger problem—long, empty drives followed by costly turnovers. Belichick’s presence doesn’t change the math. Until the Tar Heels take care of the football, the results won’t change either.
15. Florida State (3-4, 0-4 ACC)
Another week, another meltdown. A goal-line stand against them capped a mistake-filled loss and a season trending the wrong way. Talent isn’t the issue—execution is. Nine straight ACC defeats have the clock ticking loudly on the Mike Norvell era.
14. Stanford (3-4, 2-2 ACC)
That goal-line stop on Florida State gave Frank Reich’s group something tangible to rally around. Stanford is still uneven offensively, but the effort and situational discipline are improving. For a rebuilding team, finding ways to win ugly is meaningful progress.
13. NC State (4-3, 1-2 ACC)
The bye came at a good time. The offense had been inconsistent, and the defense kept letting late leads slip. If the Wolfpack clean up tackling and show more poise in two-minute situations, they’ll stabilize quickly. For now, they’re stuck in the middle of the pack.
12. Virginia Tech (2-5, 1-2 ACC)
A reset was necessary. Early energy under Phillip Montgomery faded before the bye, and the upcoming stretch offers little relief. The Hokies have to lean on their run game and cut down penalties if they want to avoid a long November.
11. Syracuse (3-4, 1-3 ACC)
The defense fought, the offense sputtered. With Steve Angeli out, Rickie Collins is learning on the fly, and that has slowed everything down. It’s forced the defense to shoulder too much. Controlling tempo and field position is the only way forward.
10. Wake Forest (4-2, 1-2 ACC)
Another team whose bye came at the right time. The Deacons had shown flashes before the break, nearly stunning Georgia Tech and stacking wins before the off week. Jake Dickert’s team looks more cohesive on both sides. If that balance holds, they can still surprise a few teams.
9. Clemson (3-4, 2-3 ACC)
Injuries at quarterback haven’t helped, but that’s not the biggest concern. The defense failed to carry them in crunch time, and Memorial Stadium no longer feels like an automatic win. Until they rediscover their identity, this season will remain well off the track.
8. California (5-2, 2-1 ACC)
Cal survived another close call, beating North Carolina despite a shaky offensive day. The defense deserves credit for keeping the game in reach while the offense struggled. Their first ACC season hasn’t been perfect, but 5-2 with a chance to reach a bowl speaks to real growth.
7. Pittsburgh (5-2, 3-1 ACC)
Three straight wins have put the Panthers right back in the race. The offense still stalls at times and the protection issues remain, but the defense continues to create turnovers and short fields. If Pat Narduzzi’s team can start faster, they’ll be dangerous down the stretch.
6. Duke (4-3, 3-1 ACC)
Duke left points on the field against Georgia Tech with a scoop-and-score and multiple missed kicks. The defense continues to play disciplined football, but the offense has to finish drives. The Blue Devils are still in position for a strong finish if they can clean up special teams.
5. Miami (5-1, 1-1 ACC)
That loss to Louisville stung. Carson Beck’s four interceptions wasted a strong defensive effort and knocked Miami out of the driver’s seat. The Hurricanes still have the most balanced roster in the ACC, but their margin for error just shrunk, if it didn’t disappear altogether.
4. SMU (5-2, 3-0 ACC)
The Mustangs have caught fire. Kevin Jennings toughed out an ankle injury to win at Clemson, and the defense is finally setting the tone. As long as they tackle well and stay sharp on third down, SMU could be playing for more than just bowl positioning come November.
3. Louisville (5-1, 2-1 ACC)
Jeff Brohm keeps finding ways to win big games. The road win at Miami was classic Brohm — aggressive play-calling, steady defense, and timely execution. The earlier loss to Virginia still lingers, but the Cardinals are squarely back in the ACC title conversation.
2. Virginia (6-1, 3-0 ACC)
The Cavaliers keep winning close games, this time escaping Washington State with a late safety. Tony Elliott’s team isn’t flashy, but they play tough defense and execute under pressure. If they ever string together a full four quarters, they’ll look like the most complete team in the league.
1. Georgia Tech (7-0, 4-0 ACC)
The Yellow Jackets earned the top spot with a composed road win at Duke. Haynes King continues to make plays when it matters most, and the defense bent but never broke. Georgia Tech is now in full control of its ACC destiny, and everything points toward Charlotte.
