Through the first weekend in October, things are getting very interesting in the ACC when it comes to football. After some teams started hot this year, some have cooled off, while others are continuing to impress each week.
It was another weekend of ups and downs across the conference in Week 6 with some upsets, eye-opening results, and teams beginning to separate themselves from rivals. There is still over half of the season to go in terms of the conference schedule, and things will change from week to week. After an interesting weekend of football, let's fire up the latest ACC Football Power Rankings.
Week 6 ACC Football Power Rankings
17. Boston College (1-4, 0-3)
- Last Week: 17
- Things are getting interesting for Bill O'Brien with the Eagles fanbase after they were routed, 48-7, by Pittsburgh on Saturday. Things don't get any easier with Clemson coming to town on Saturday night. With a difficult remaining schedule, things could get ugly in Chestnut Hill.
16. Stanford (2-3, 1-1)
- Last Week: 16
- It was a bye week for the Cardinal after edging San Jose State at home last weekend. They hit the road to SMU this weekend for what will be a difficult matchup.
15. North Carolina (2-3, 0-2)
- Last Week: 15
- Just when you think things can't get worse for Bill Belichick and the Tar Heels, it does. They allowed 28 first-quarter points to Clemson at home, and after halftime, there were hardly any fans left in the stadium. This is turning into a disaster in Year 1 in Chapel Hill for Belichick.
14. Virginia Tech (2-4, 1-1)
- Last Week: 12
- The Hokies should be thankful for BC, Stanford, and UNC; otherwise, they would be lower in the rankings. They fell two spots as a 30-23 home loss to Wake Forest, which was one of their wins that most people thought was left on the schedule. A trip to Georgia Tech this upcoming weekend is the last thing Philip Montgomery and his team need.
13. Syracuse (3-3, 1-2)
- Last Week: 10
- After giving up 38 points at home to Duke in a 35-point loss last weekend, the Orange hit the road and allowed 31 more at SUM in a loss. The Orange are heading into a bye at the right time for Fran Brown and his team, who are dealing with quarterback issues.
12. Clemson (2-3, 1-2)
- Last Week: 14
- After a bye week, the Tigers came out and blitzed UNC for 28 first-quarter points, including a 75-yard trick play on the first play from scrimmage, and took it to the house. Dabo Swinney quieted his critics for a week and now heads to BC looking for a second straight ACC victory.
11. North Carolina State (4-2, 1-2)
- Last Week: 12
- The Wolfpack bounced back from their brutal loss to Virginia Tech last weekend by rolling over Campbell, 56-10, in a non-conference game. They have a trip to South Bend this upcoming weekend against 21st-ranked Notre Dame before a bye week.
10. Wake Forest (3-2, 1-2)
- Last Week: 11
- The Demon Deacons are a perfect example of taking what the opponent gives you. Virginia Tech gifted them 17 points on Saturday, and that was the difference in Jake Dickert picking up his first ACC win after two previous attempts. A cross-country trip to winless Oregon State is waiting for them this upcoming Saturday.
9. California (4-2, 1-1)
- Last Week: 8
- After a miracle road week at Boston College, the Golden Bears returned home and were beaten, 45-21, by Duke. It was a disappointing result after their win at BC, and they head into a bye before hosting Belichick and UNC on Oct. 17.
8. Florida State (3-2, 0-2)
- Last Week: 5
- The memory of beating Alabama at home on Labor Day Weekend is all but gone for the Seminoles. Miami came to town and walked away with another win over their in-state rivals. The Boston College version of Thomas Castellanos showed up at the wrong time for FSU on Saturday night. Things don't get easier with Pitt coming to town on Saturday.
7. Pittsburgh (3-2, 1-1)
- Last Week: 9
- Pitt made a change at QB against BC, and it worked out to the tune of 48 points and a 31-0 halftime lead on the Eagles, who looked disinterested to be in the Steel City on Saturday. The Panthers face a trip to FSU this weekend in an interesting matchup.
6. SMU (3-2, 1-0)
- Last Week: 7
- The Mustangs opened play with a win over Syracuse and will host Stanford this upcoming weekend. They face a pair of road games at Clemson and Wake Forest following a visit from the Cardinal.
5. Louisville (4-1, 1-1)
- Last Week: 3
- The Cardinals had a chance for a statement ACC win at home on Saturday, but were beaten in overtime, 30-27, by Virginia. It's a tough way to enter a bye week and a trip to Miami on Oct. 17 next on the schedule.
4. Duke (4-2, 3-0)
- Last Week: 6
- How do the Blue Devils top a blowout win at Syracuse last weekend? By traveling cross-country and beating Cal by 24 points. The next three ACC games, home against Georgia Tech on Oct. 18, at Clemson on Nov. 1, and Virginia at home on Nov. 15, will determine Duke's fate to get to Charlotte for the ACC Championship Game.
3. Georgia Tech (5-0, 2-0)
- Last Week: 2
- The Yellow Jackets enjoyed the weekend off after rallying to beat Wake Forest in overtime last weekend. They get Virginia Tech this weekend, looking for revenge for a loss last season in Blacksburg.
2. Virginia (5-1, 3-0)
- Last Week: 4
- It's time to take the Cavaliers seriously this year. Tony Elliott has them ranked in the Top 25, and they picked up a big-time road win at Louisville. They enter their first bye week, and they host Washington State in a non-conference game on Oct. 18. They are one turnover away from being 6-0 and are a legit College Football Playoff threat. They have a favorable schedule remaining to get to Charlotte.
1. Miami (5-0, 1-0)
- Last Week: 1
- The Hurricanes took care of business on the road at FSU on Saturday night to solidify their spot at the top. They have another bye this upcoming weekend before hosting Louisville on Oct. 17 in a game that lost some juice after the Cardinals lost to Virginia on Saturday.