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ACC Power Rankings: Where is Virginia Tech after a statement upset of Clemson?

There was some movement after some upsets this past weekend.
ByScott Roche
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Oct 24, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal reacts from the field against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the third quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Oct 24, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal reacts from the field against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the third quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Another week has come and gone in the 2026 college football season. As far as the ACC goes, there were some rather surprising upsets in Week 8. Three schools, Virginia Tech, Syracuse, and Boston College, picked up statement road wins as underdogs, and in the Hokies' situation, it was a statement road win under first-year coach James Franklin that they have been looking for.

After the upsets, where does everyone fall this week in the latest power rankings? Let's fire it up!

Week 9 ACC Football Power Rankings

17. Georgia Tech

  • Last Week: 11
  • Record: 2-5 (1-3 ACC)

Things have been a struggle in Atlanta since the opening weekend for Brent Key and his club, who have dealt with a lot of injuries. However, a home loss to Boston College at home is rock bottom in 2026, you would think.

16. California

  • Last Week: 15
  • Record 3-3 (2-3 ACC)

Since upsetting Virginia Tech, the Golden Bears have come back to reality after being routed by SMU, 59-20, in Dallas, where they allowed 42 second-half points. Any hopes for a bowl game are long gone for Cal, who just might be one of the top overrated teams in the conference.

15. Syracuse

  • Last Week: 17
  • Record: 3-4 (1-4 ACC)

What a win for Fran Brown and the Orange, taking UNC and Bill Belichick in Chapel Hill for their first ACC win of the season.

14. North Carolina State

  • Last Week: 14
  • Record: 3-4 (1-3 ACC)

The Wolfpack traveled West and were beaten at Stanford; then, when they came back East, Dave Doeren was fired as head coach. His time in Raleigh was up, and the school is now trying to salvage a frustrating season.

13. Stanford

  • Last Week: 16
  • Record: 4-4 (2-3 ACC)

Great win for the Cardinal at home to keep their bowl hopes alive in 2026. It's not going to be easy, but it's doable.

12. Florida State

  • Last Week: 12
  • Record: 3-4 (1-3 ACC)

Mike Norvell wasn't the first ACC coach sent packing in 2026, which is rather surprising. They get Clemson at home this week after a bye week.

11. Pittsburgh

  • Last Week: 8
  • Record: 5-3 (2-3 ACC)

Since Pat Narduzzi screamed from the mountaintops that his team should be ranked after beating the Hokies, Pitt has lost three straight games. Losing to North Carolina at home, at Boston College, and being spanked by No. 1 Miami is not a great look for a team that got you to 5-0 to begin a season before the reality of a six- or seven-win season sets in. If they beat Georgia Tech at home this weekend, does he scream for his team to be ranked again?

10. Virginia

  • Last Week: 10
  • Record: 4-4 (2-2 ACC)

Reality is settling in for the Cavaliers after their fluke 2025 campaign. Since winning their Super Bowl over the worst Virginia Tech in decades last November, Virginia is just 5-5, including choking away the ACC Championship Game last December to Duke and a College Football Playoff berth. Imagine if UVA comes to Blacksburg Thanksgiving Weekend needing a win to become bowl-eligible? Yikes.

9. Boston College

  • Last Week: 13
  • Record: 4-3 (2-2 ACC)

Bill O'Brien is leading one of the better turnarounds in the ACC over the last couple of weeks with a home win over an overrated Pitt team and a come-from-behind road win at Georgia Tech. A bowl game is quickly reachable for the Eagles.

8. North Carolina

  • Last Week: 6
  • Record: 4-3 (2-2 ACC)

Bad loss for Bill Belichick and the Tar Heels. No other way to put it before Miami comes to town this upcoming weekend.

7. Louisville

  • Last Week: 9
  • Record: 4-3 (2-2 ACC)

It was a bye week for Louisville, which will host Stanford on Saturday afternoon.

6. Clemson

  • Last Week: 5
  • Record: 4-3 (2-2 ACC)

Dabo Swinney's hot seat is getting warmer after blowing a fourth-quarter lead at home to Virginia Tech on Saturday night.

5. Duke

  • Last Week: 7
  • Record: 5-2 (2-2 ACC)

Impressive rally from the Blue Devils, taking down Virginia in Charlottesville on Friday night with a fourth-quarter rally.

4. Virginia Tech

  • Last Week: 4
  • Record: 6-2 (3-2 ACC)

James Franklin has been looking for a statement win at Virginia Tech in his first season, and got it at Clemson under the lights in Death Valley. The Hokies are bowl-eligible at 6-2 heading into their bye.

3. SMU

  • Last Week: 3
  • Record: 6-1 (4-1 ACC)

The Mustangs sent a second-half message by blowing out Cal at home. They head to Syracuse this upcoming weekend before hosting Virginia Tech the following Friday night.

2. Wake Forest

  • Last Week: 2
  • Record: 6-1 (4-1 ACC)

The Demon Deacons had a bye week this past weekend and will host Virginia on Halloween afternoon.

1. Miami

  • Last Week: 1
  • Record: 7-0 (5-0 ACC)

Another week, another statement win by the Hurricanes.

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