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ACC Power Rankings: Where's Virginia Tech after Week 7 statement results?

How much shakeup was there after a wild weekend?
ByScott Roche
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Oct 17, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal reacts after a play during overtime against the Florida State Seminoles at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Oct 17, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal reacts after a play during overtime against the Florida State Seminoles at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Who doesn't love college football? There was chaos all over the place this past weekend, and that included the ACC. There was a controversial ending in South Florida that went in favor of Miami (I know you're surprised to hear that), which held off in-state rival Florida State to barely remain undefeated.

It was an exciting kickoff to the second half of the 2026 season. How did it affect the latest ACC Football Power Rankings? Let's dive into it.

Week 8 ACC Football Power Rankings

17. Syracuse

  • Last Week: 16
  • Record: 2-4 (0-4 ACC)

The Orange continue to battle under coach Fran Brown, but they continue to come up short in conference play. They have a tough trip to Chapel Hill and North Carolina this upcoming weekend, who are gaining steam under Bill Belichick.

16. Stanford

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

The Cardinal won a non-conference game at home against Elon before hosting North Carolina State this upcoming weekend on Friday night.

15. California

  • Last Week: 12
  • Record: 3-4 (2-2 ACC)

One week after upsetting Virginia Tech, the Golden Bears were embarrassed at home by Wake Forest. Talk about an unprepared performance against the Demon Deacons. With the remaining schedule Cal has, they'll likely fall short of bowl eligibility, which would create a long offseason in Northern California.

14. North Carolina State

  • Last Week: 13
  • Record: 3-3 (1-2 ACC)

The Wolfpack had a bye week and now make a cross-country fight to Stanford for a late-night game that is a must-win for head coach Dave Doeren and his club.

13. Boston College

  • Last Week: 15
  • Record: 3-3 (1-2 ACC)

Boston College has been knocking on the door of an ACC upset this season against Virginia Tech and SMU, but the Eagles finally broke through on Saturday, adding to Pat Narduzzi's misery with a statement win in Chestnut Hill.

12. Florida State

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

Mike Norvell's seat is hot, but his team put up a tougher fight than some thought on Saturday night in South Florida against the Hurricanes. You can't say that FSU has quit on Norvell.

11. Georgia Tech

  • Last Week: 10
  • Record: 2-4 (1-2 ACC)

The Yellow Jackets punched Virginia Tech in teh face with two touchdowns in the first three minutes of the second half before coming short of a 17-point second-half deficit before falling to the Hokies.

10. Virginia

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

The Cavaliers went to Dallas undermanned and lost to SMU. Reality is setting in for a fanbase that had high expectations after a fluke 2025 season. It just proves how tough it is to compete yearly in college football.

9. Louisville

  • Last Week: 11
  • Record: 4-3 (3-2 ACC)

The Cardinals continue to be a head-scratching team as they survived Syracuse on the road, but sitting at 4-3 is a disappointment after the high expectations entering the season.

8. Pittsburgh

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

For the record, Narduzzi and Pitt are 0-2 since he called out the Associated Press voters with embarrassing losses to North Carolina and Boston College. Again, Pitt fans should never wonder why nobody ever takes them seriously across the country. Narduzzi gets you to 5-0 and then is lucky to get to seven wins. At least Pitt fans don't have to worry about a school coming after Narduzzi to be there next head coach.

7. Duke

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

Manny Diaz and the Blue Devils have lost two in a row, at Georgia Tech and at home to North Carolina. Another team like Pitt that is coming back to reality quickly.

6. North Carolina (4-2, 2-1 ACC)

  • Last Week: 8
  • Record: 4-2 (2-1 ACC)

Bill Belichick is quieting the doubters and has the Tar Heels just two wins away from becoming bowl-eligible. However, the Tar Heels have some bigger goals still in mind and are alive in the ACC race.

5. Clemson (4-2, 2-1 ACC)

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

The Tigers and coach Dabo Swinney steamrolled Charleston Southern and will now turn their attention to Virginia Tech this weekend under the lights at home in an under-the-radar game.

4. Virginia Tech (5-2, 2-2 ACC)

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

The Hokies survived an early punch from Georgia Tech in the second half and saw a 21-point halftime lead cut to seven in just three minutes to end up picking up a 10-point win to break a two-game losing streak ahead of a trip to Death Valley next weekend.

3. SMU (5-1, 3-1 ACC)

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

SMU keeps finding ways to win games without looking great. That's the sign of a team that knows how to win and can be dangerous. That was the case against a very undermanned Virginia team at home this past weekend.

2. Wake Forest (6-1, 4-1 ACC)

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

Another week where the Demon Deacons steamrolled an ACC opponent, this time Cal, out West. November is a big month for Jake Dickert's team in terms of reaching Charlotte.

1. Miami (6-0, 4-0 ACC)

  • Last Week: 1
  • Record: 6-0 (4-0 ACC)

Sometimes they don't ask how, just if. That was the case for Miami against Florida State.

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