The ACC has taken shape now. Miami is looking like a national championship contender, Florida State has flipped the script and Georgia Tech's early start is inspiring. To go along with the winning programs, Clemson and SMU have each flown way under expectations and will need to turn things around to save their season. Here's how the league stacks up after Week 4.
1. Miami (4–0)
The Canes surged to No. 2 in the latest AP poll — Miami's highest since 2017 — after a 26–7 win over Florida that featured a 0-for-13 Gator line on third down. Miami is allowing just 13 points per game and has a +101 point differential (147–46) on the season. If the defense holds, Miami can start making plans for at least an ACC title game appearance.
2. Florida State (3–0)
The Noles blasted Kent State 66–10 and, more importantly, look like a bully again. FSU had eight rushing TDs Saturday and own a national-best 58 points per game mark, while also allowing only 10 points per game. They lead the ACC in total offense (628.7 YPG) and yards per play (8.9). Now, they haven't played anybody of note since the opening weekend against Alabama, but the rivalry game with Miami on Oct. 4 will tell us plenty.
3. Georgia Tech (4–0, 1–0)
Brent Key's crew is 4–0 for the first time since 2014. The Yellow Jackets are balanced (492.3 YPG on offense and 4.8 yards allowed per play on defense). The win over Clemson looks a lot less convincing but that will be something to watch when the season is a little bit further down the line. As of right now, GT can enjoy the success.
4. Louisville (3–0)
Louisville has one of the best total defenses in the ACC so far (244.7 YPG and just 16 PPG allowed) and are quietly efficient on offense (6.8 yards per play). They haven't been tested yet... and it might stay that way. Miami is the only ranked team on the schedule the rest of the way for the Cardinals.
5. Syracuse (3–1, 1–0)
Fran Brown's Orange stunned Clemson in Death Valley, 34–21, and sit top-five in ACC total offense (472.8 YPG). One caveat: the defense has been poor (455.0 YPG) and the UConn game was way too close for comfort. But, outside of the loss to Tennessee in the season-opener, they have been solid. Unfortunately, starting QB Steve Angeli suffered a torn Achilles, so it will be interesting to see how they can continue to move.
Quick note: It didn't feel appropriate to drop them because of the injury, but the ceiling might be much lower than it was with Angeli leading the way.
6. Pitt (2–1)
Pitt took care of their first two games — Duquesne and Central Michigan — but lost to West Virginia in OT a couple weeks back. We'll know more about them as ACC play begins with Louisville this week.
7. Duke (2–2, 1–0)
The Blue Devils move it through the air behind Darian Mensah (2nd in the conference with 1,305 passing yards) but losses to Syracuse and Tulane make their ceiling questionable.
8. NC State (3–1, 1–1)
It's been a solid start for the Wolfpack so far with 31.5 PPG and 445.0 YPG on offense. RB Hollywood Smothers leads the conference in rushing with 503 yards. This is a really good team, but they lost their 20-7 lead over Duke last week and must drop below them.
9. Virginia (3–1, 1–0)
Virginia has one of the ACC's most explosive offenses (44.7 PPG, 556 YPG and 6.9 yards per play). The defense is still finding itself, and they have played two FCS squads, but the controlling win over Stanford was a nice sign. They remain under NC State due to a head-to-head loss in Week 3.
10. SMU (2–2)
The Mustangs can score (34.8 PPG), but the defense has allowed 449.3 YPG and that has made them pay. This is still a team that can make a run, but falling to Baylor and TCU have reset expectations for them this season. Miami is also staring them down in November to dish out a late season loss if they remain the way they are now.
11. Wake Forest (2–1, 0–1)
Wake Forest has a one-point win over Kennesaw State and a 32-point win over West Carolina (FCS). The Deamon Deacons' only loss came to NC State by 10 after being up at half. So, with that resume recognized, they could be better than this ranking, but for now, let's see what they can bring to their matchup against Georgia Tech off a bye.
12. California (3–1)
Cal looked just fine in the first three games against Oregon State, Texas Southern and Minnesota. But, a shutout 34-0 loss to San Diego State has to drop them down the rankings. They land lower than Wake Forest who was on a bye and didn't have a chance to lose this past weekend.
13. North Carolina (2–2)
The 34–9 loss to UCF exposed some major issues (just 263.5 YPG on offense so far this season), and the defense is middling (344.5 YPG allowed). After a couple of clean-up weeks following the TCU blowout, this was a gut punch. It looks like it is going to take a little bit longer to start winning under HC Bill Belichick (if it ever happens) than Tar Heels fans would have liked.
14. Stanford (1–3, 1–1)
Stanford opened the season at Hawaii and it's been slightly downhill from there. Not to mention they still have to face FSU, Miami and Notre Dame. They're still a few years away from potentially being a competitive program and the 48-20 loss to Virginia this past Saturday made that clear.
15. Boston College (1–2, 0–1)
The scoring average (42 PPG) is inflated by an early blowout against Fordham in Week 1. For the season the defense has allowed 27.3 PPG and 315.7 YPG. The losses to Michigan State and Stanford have been competitive, so it's not all bad, but honoring the head-to-head loss against the Cardinal is why BC is so low.
16. Clemson (1–3, 0–2)
Is it time to hit the panic button? 1–3 overall, 0–2 in ACC play, outgained in total yardage on the season, and averaging just 19.8 PPG on offense might just say that it is. The 34–21 home loss to Syracuse was the alarm going off again after it was snoozed. Now you're late to work even if you skip breakfast. This looks like a rebuild, not a reload.
Quick note: Should the Tigers be last in the ACC power rankings? It was considered.
17. Virginia Tech (1–3)
The Hokies got their first win against an FCS squad on Saturday. Virginia Tech's defense has been bad (371.3 YPG and 29.8 PPG allowed) and the 38-6 win against Wofford isn't going to fix the perception, especially since they have an interim coach the rest of the way.