Clemson and Pitt reman No.1 in the ACC Power Rankings this week, but they both hear footsteps.
The Tigers posted a pedestrian win over FCS Furman, 35-12, at Memorial Stadium. Pitt was not as fortunate, as the Panthers lost to Tennessee, 34-27, in overtime.
Wake Forest and Duke looked impressive in wins over other Power 5 opponents. Wake travelled to Nashville and easily defeated SEC foe Vanderbilt, 45-24. The biggest news for the Deacons was the return of QB Sam Hartman.
Duke, the early surprise team in the ACC, defeated Northwestern in a thrille,r 31-23. The Blue Devils survived a late-game drive to beat the Big Ten Wildcats.
Not every team in the ACC fared as well against Power 5 competition. Virginia was blown out at Illinois, 24-3.
ACC Atlantic
- Clemson (2-0, 1-0 ACC) The Tigers’ offense is still searching to find its way. The defense continues to be one of the best in the country.
- NC State (2-0,0-0 ACC) The Wolfpack crushed outmanned Charleston Southern with a 55-3 win. Texas Tech comes to Raleigh next week and will present a much tougher challenge.
- Wake Forest (2-0, 0-0) Sam Hartman had a solid return as quarterback for Wake. Hartman’s presence puts the Deacons back in the hunt for the Atlantic title.
- Syracuse (2-0, 1-0 ACC) The Orange and its re-energized offense impressed again with a 48-14 win over UConn. Is Syracuse a sleeper in the Atlantic?
- FSU (2-0, 0-0 ACC) The Seminoles had a bye after its win over LSU. FSU opens ACC play on Friday against Louisville
- Louisville (1-1, 0-1 ACC) The Cardinals had a nice bounceback win from their season-opening loss to Syracuse with a 21-14 win at Central Florida Friday.
- Boston College (0-2, 0-1 ACC) The Eagles did not show much on either side of the ball in a loss to Virginia Tech. The offense was anemic and the defense struggle against a mediocre VT offense.
ACC Coastal
- Pitt (1-1, 0-0 ACC) The Panthers lost an overtime thriller to Tennessee on the heels of an emotional win over WVU in the Backyard Brawl.
- Miami (2-0, 0-0 ACC) The Hurricanes trailed early but changed course in the second half for a 30-7 win over Southern Mississippi. Miami travels to Texas A&M in a primetime meeting with the Aggies, who were stunned by Appalachian State.
- Duke (2-0, 0-0 ACC) Yes, Duke at No. 3. The Blue Devils move to 2-0 under new coach Mike Elko with an impressive win on the road at Northwestern. Duke has beaten the Wildcats three straight.
- North Carolina (3-0, 0-0 ACC) That win over Appalachian State is looking impressive for UNC. The Tar Heels did struggle in a 35-28 win over Georgia State.
- Virginia (1-1, 0-0 ACC) The Cavaliers were woeful during a 24-3 loss to Illinois. With a struggling offensive line, it might be over early for Virginia this season.
- Virginia Tech (1-1, 1-0 ACC) Tech gave Brent Pry his first win with a 27-10 win over hapless Boston College. Too early to tell if the Hokies can put the Old Dominion loss behind them.
- Georgia Tech (1-1, 0-1 ACC) It took almost three quarters for the Yellow Jackets to pull away from Western Carolina. GT must correct plenty of mistakes before next week’s game against a ranked Ole Miss team.
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