Week 0 is in the books, and it was a great start for the ACC. They went 4-1, with the lone loss being to NC State at Virginia. We should have seen that coming after Dave Doeren spent the summer complaining about opening the season on the road with a conference game. It's going to be a long fall in Raleigh.
Florida State, North Carolina, and Stanford all opened with wins along Virginia. How did that affect the ACC Football Power Rankings going into Week 1? Let's dive into it as the first full week of the college football season is upon us.
17. Boston College (0-0)
Last Week: 17
Next Game: 9/5 at Cincinnati, 3:30 p.m.
Bill O'Brien begins the season on the hot seat, and a road win over a Big 12 Conference school is what he could use to begin the season.
16. Syracuse (0-0)
Last Week: 15
Next Game: 9/5 vs. New Hampshire, 12 p.m.
The Orange begin the season at home against UNH from the FCS before they open ACC play a week later at home against California.
15. Stanford (1-0)
Last Week: 16
Next Game: 9/4 vs. Miami, 9 p.m.
The Cardinal opened the Tavita Pritchard era by surviving Hawai'i's fourth-quarter comeback. Stanford led 23-7 before the visitors rallied to take a 27-23 lead. The Cardinal scored the final 14 points in the final two minutes to pick up the win.
14. North Carolina State (0-1)
Last Week: 10
Next Game: 9/11 vs. Richmond, 7 p.m.
The Wolfpack were blown out in Charlottesville by the Cavaliers, 34-8, and is it time to really have the conversation about Dave Doeren's future at NC State? It just might be. Losing at home last September to Virginia Tech was a fireable offense itself.
13. Florida State (1-0)
Last Week: 13
Next Game: 9/7 vs. SMU, 7:30 p.m.
It wasn't a pretty season opener for the Seminoles against New Mexico State, but it got the job done. The next two games for Mike Norvell? Home against SMU and at Alabama.
12. Wake Forest (0-0)
Last Week: 12
Next Game: 9/3 vs. Akron
The Demon Deacons will look to build off a strong first season under Jake Dickert by hosting the Zips from the MAC on Thursday night.
11. North Carolina (1-0)
Last Week: 14
Next Game: 9/12 vs. East Tennessee State University, 12 p.m.
What a beginning to the 2026 season for Bill Belichick and the Tar Heels. It couldn't have gone better: an ugly win against a Big 12 Conference foe.
10. Duke (0-0)
Last Week: 11
Next Game: 9/5 vs. Tulane, 3:30 p.m.
The Blue Devils better not overlook the Green Wave, or it could be a long season in Durham for the Blue Devils and Manny Diaz.
9. California (0-0)
Last Week: 9
Next Game: 9/5 vs. UCLA, 10:30 p.m.
A very interesting opener for the Golden Bears against a Bruins team that is looking to rebound under first-year coach Bob Chesney. This is a sneaky-good opener late on Saturday night.
8. Pittsburgh (0-0)
Last Week: 8
Next Game: 9/5 vs. Miami (Ohio), 12:30 p.m.
The Panthers need a blowout win to begin the season and set the tone for the 2026 campaign. Pat Narduzzi and Pitt have high expectations this season. Can they live up to them?
7. Georgia Tech (0-0)
Last Week: 7
Next Game: 9/3 vs. Colorado, 8 p.m.
After winning last season in Boulder, the Yellow Jackets begin the new season in primetime on Thursday night in Atlanta.
6. Virginia Tech (0-0)
Last Week: 5
Next Game: 9/5 vs. VMI, 7:30 p.m.
The Jame Franklin era opens up on Saturday night against VMI at Lane Stadium. The Keydets opened their season with a loss at Idaho State on Saturday.
5. Virginia (1-0)
Last Week: 6
Next Game: 9/11 vs. Norfolk State, 7 p.m.
Nice opening statement from Cavaliers. However, with a cupcake schedule, it is College Football Playoff berth or bust. If they don't get in this year, then they never will.
4. Clemson (0-0)
Last Week: 4
Next Game: 9/5 at LSU, 7:30 p.m.
Dabo Swinney and the Tigers head to the SEC's version of Death Valley in Lane Kiffin's opener as head coach of LSU. It's going to be hard to see the ACC Tigers take down the SEC Tigers in Baton Rouge.
3. Louisville (0-0)
Last Week: 3
Next Game: 9/6 vs. Ole Miss (Nashville), 7:30 p.m.
The Cardinals have a difficult opener as well, facing the Rebels out of the SEC in a neutral-site game in Tennessee. A lot of eyes will be on this one in a stand-alone game.
2. SMU (0-0)
Last week: 2
Next Game: 9/7 at Florida State, 7:30 p.m.
Quarterback Kevin Jennings and the Mustangs have a very interesting season opener against the 1-0 Seminoles on Labor Day night.
1. Miami (0-0)
Last Week: 1
Next Game: 9/4 at Stanford, 9 p.m.
The ACC's preseason favorite gets its trip to Northern California out of the way in Week 1 against Stanford, who opened with a win over Hawai'i on Saturday night.
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