ACC Power Rankings after Week 3: Mike Norvell's FSU struggles to breathe while Miami leads the pack on top
The ACC has had some amazing and surprising results to shake up our ACC Power Rankings. Of course, nobody expected defending league champion Florida State to start 0-3. Miami deservedly tops our ACC Power Rankings. Here's the full rundown of the ACC.
ACC Power Rankings after Week 3
17. Florida State (0-3)
Florida State should probably be 18th in the 17 team ACC Power Rankings. It's that bad. Just a humiliation of a season from a program that seemed like it was beyond these things under Mike Norvell.
16. Wake Forest (1-2)
Losing to Ole Miss isn't exactly a terrible result, but the Deacons have been terrible this year. 2024 isn't shaping up to be much of a season for Wake.
15. Stanford (1-1)
An open week is hopefully a chance to clean things up for the Cardinal. That awful Week 1 loss to TCU was a pretty hope-stripping start to the season.
14. Virginia (2-1)
A two-touchdown loss to Maryland at home isn't the kind of work that suggests a bowl bid on the horizon for the Cavaliers. The offense has to get better in a hurry.
13. SMU (2-1)
SMU had the week off, but they'll need plenty of time to recover from the 18-15 loss to BYU in Week 3. Some had the Mustangs as an ACC dark horse, but that's looking pretty unlikely.
12. Virginia Tech (2-1)
Tech has been respectable since their Week 1 loss to Vanderbilt. But then, Vanderbilt lost to Georgia State this week, which suggests that the Hokies aren't exactly among the best teams in FBS football.
11. NC State (2-1)
A 10-point win over Louisiana Tech isn't as off-putting as a brutal loss to Tennessee, but it also doesn't point to a brilliant season on tap for the Wolfpack. There is plenty of work to be done here.
10. North Carolina (3-0)
On the one hand, Carolina is 3-0, and Omarion Hampton has been great. On the other hand, he's had to be great without Max Johnson.
9. Duke (3-0)
A five-point win over UConn isn't exactly the stuff of legends. Yes, Duke is 3-0, which got them to the middle of the ACC. But if they don't run better and stop the run better, they won't stay here long.
8. Georgia Tech (3-1)
The feel-good story of the year got an easy bounce-back win. Tech is probably headed for a bowl, which looked fairly unlikely in the preseason.
7. Pittsburgh (3-0)
Two touchdowns in the final 200 seconds lifted the Panthers over West Virginia. That said, the defense has to pick things up to keep Pitt in the ACC race.
6. California (3-0)
Justin Wilcox's team moved to 3-0, but hasn't been dominant, even against poor competition this week. In two weeks, the Bears face Miami, which should be revealing.
5. Clemson (1-1)
Clemson was off this week, and is still probably trying to find equilibrium between a depressing Week 1 and an impressive Week 2. The Tigers should stay near the top of the ACC anyway.
4. Boston College (3-1)
A magical season ended a score short for the Eagles against Missouri, but they equitted themselves well. BC doesn't necessarily look like a Colllege Football Playoff team, but they do look worthy of a high spot in our ACC Power Rankings.
3. Syracuse (2-0)
Syracuse was off this week, but they are set up well for a nice run. The Orange won't play a quality opponent until at least the back half of October, and could easily be 7-0 heading into their game at Pitt.
2. Louisville (2-0)
Also off this week, Louisville is also set up for a big year. Notre Dame in two weeks will be a legitimate test, and Miami looms on October 19th. But the Cardinals have the power to be the ACC spoiler.
1.Miami (3-0)
Easily the most impressive team in the ACC, the Hurricanes deserve to be atop our ACC Power Rankings. As of this week, Louisville is the only ranked team left on Miami's schedule.
Which ACC teams do you like to stay atop our ACC Power Rankings? Share your insights below in our comments section!