Heading into the season, the ACC was predicted to be a three-team race between Miami, Louisville and SMU. After four weeks, it might still be a three-team race, but only the Hurricanes remain the same, as the Mustangs and Cardinals have dropped off while Duke and Wake Forest have risen to exceed expectations.
That’s not to say Louisville and SMU are dead, but they have both shown question marks, while the Blue Devils are undefeated and the Demon Deacons fought Miami hard in their only loss.
Here are our ACC Power Rankings following Week 4:
1. Miami
The Hurricanes' first real challenge comes this weekend at Clemson.
2. Duke
At 4-0 andranked No. 21 in the Coaches Poll, Manny Diaz’s squad has already exceeded preseason expectations.
3. Wake Forest
The Demon Deacons played Miami close
and then went into Louisville and pulled off the upset victory.
4. Louisville
Special teams continue to kill the Cardinals.
5. SMU
The Mustangs struggled to put away Missouri State on Saturday, not exactly a great sign for a College Football Playoff push.
6. Pitt
The Panthers' four-game stretch to start the season has been a joke of opponents. Now, a real challenge comes at night against Virginia Tech.
7. Clemson
A victory at Cal will make doubters of Dabo Swinney back off a little. A win against Miami this weekend would go a long way in proving the Tigers are for real again.
8. Virginia
A road game at Florida State will make or break the Cavaliers' hopes for reaching the ACC title game for the second straight season.
9. Virginia Tech
The Hokies get a Friday primetime game against Pitt to show what they can do in James Franklin’s first season.
10. Cal
An ugly home loss to Clemson is not something the Golden Bears could afford.
11. North Carolina
Things could get ugly in Chapel Hill against No. 3 Notre Dame this Saturday.
12. Florida State
Mike Norvell must save his job over the next few weeks or the Seminoles will be looking for yet another coach. Could that be Manny Diaz?
13. NC State
The Wolfpack struggled against Appalachian State but won in the end, which is more than they could say a week earlier.
14. Boston College
Playing in a nor’easter is never fun. Scoring 14 points in a loss is even less fun.
15. Stanford
Davis Warren looked like a totally different quarterback in the win against Georgia Tech than he did against Duke, which might mean more about the Yellow Jackets’ defense.
16. Georgia Tech
“Hi, Coach Key? There’s someone from the Hot Seat on the line for you.”
17. Syracuse
You would have to pay me a lot to sit in the stands for the matchup between the Orange and UConn this weekend.
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This article originally appeared on Duke Wire: ACC Football Power Rankings after Week 4: Duke, Wake Forest rise
