The ACC title picture is becoming clearer as the weeks pass, with Miami in the driver’s seat for a spot in the conference championship game, and the winner of the November 14th matchup between Wake Forest and SMU shaping up to be their opponent.
We say that now, but as we’ve seen all season, things can change quickly. Who saw Syracuse beating North Carolina this past weekend? Or Duke running back Nate Sheppard throwing the game-winning touchdown pass to beat Virginia?
Here is how our ACC Power Rankings stand heading into Week 9 of the 2026 season.
1. Miami (7-0, 5-0 ACC)
The Hurricanes can’t look ahead to next week’s matchup at Notre Dame, or an upset at North Carolina could be in the air.
2. Wake Forest (6-1, 4-1)
The matchup between the Demon Deacons and SMU on Nov. 14 looks like the game that
will decide who faces Miami in the ACC title game.
3. SMU (6-1, 4-1)
Not only do the Mustangs face Wake Forest on Nov. 14, but then they travel to Notre Dame the following week. Get through that stretch, and a College Football Playoff berth awaits.
4. Louisville (4-3, 3-2)
The Cardinals’ season is being massively overshadowed by what their rival, Kentucky, is achieving in Will Stein’s first season.
5. Duke (5-2, 2-2)
The Blue Devils are one win away from a program record fifth straight bowl game.
6. Virginia Tech (6-2, 3-2)
The Hokies have a bye week before traveling to Dallas to take on SMU.
7. Clemson (4-3, 2-2)
Dabo Swinney needs to figure out what’s wrong with Clemson’s offense, and soon.
8. UNC (4-3, 2-2)
The Tar Heels followed an upset victory over rival Duke with a stinker against Boston College. That won’t win Bill Belichick any fans.
9. Boston College (4-3, 2-2)
The win over the Tar Heels will certainly get Duke's attention.
10. Pittsburgh (5-3, 2-3)
There’s no telling how good this Panthers team would have been if Mason Heintschel had stayed healthy.
11. Virginia (4-4, 2-3)
The Cavaliers' two-game losing streak will be hard to end as they travel to Wake Forest this Saturday.
12. Stanford (4-4, 2-3)
There are small crowds, and then there is what the Cardinal played in front of on Friday night at home.
13. California (3-5, 2-3)
The Golden Bears have lost four out of their last five games. Luckily, a visit from NC State arrives this Saturday.
14. Florida State (3-4, 1-3)
Mike Norvell’s buyout after this season is about $45.6 million. Do the Seminoles dare pay that?
15. NC State (3-4, 1-3)
One of three Power 4 coaches to get the axe this weekend, Dave Doeren was a stable force in Raleigh for 14 years. Now the Wolfpack must find a replacement.
16. Georgia Tech (2-5, 1-3)
Such a strange team, now 2-5.
17. Syracuse (3-4, 1-4)
The Orange won’t end the season winless in conference play, so good for them.
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This article originally appeared on Duke Wire: ACC Football Power Rankings after Week 8: No chaos at the top
