Miami had the week off and remains at the top of the ACC Power Rankings going into Week 8. The Hurricanes return Friday against Louisville with a chance to strengthen their CFP resume after a 5–0 start that already includes wins over Notre Dame, USF and Florida. Georgia Tech remains the only undefeated team in the ACC outside of Miami, multiple top teams were on a bye and Florida State is now in a free fall. These are the Week 8 ACC Power Rankings.
1. Miami (5–0, 1–0)
Miami was on a bye in Week 7, and the Hurricanes next host Louisville on Friday night. The resume remains one of the best in the nation. The win over Florida State looks a little less impressive as the Seminoles lost to Pitt this week (Florida lost to Texas A&M as well) but Notre Dame and USF got blowout wins this week. Miami has an upcoming stretch against Louisville, Stanford and SMU.
2. Georgia Tech (6–0, 3–0)
Georgia Tech stays perfect as they handled Virginia Tech 35–20 behind Malachi Hosley’s 129 rushing yards and Haynes King’s two TD runs. GT now moves to 6–0 and is up to No. 12 in the AP poll. A massive trip to Duke is next and if Georgia Tech keeps winning, the respect will come.
3. Virginia (5–1, 3–0)
The Cavaliers were off, still riding back-to-back overtime wins (Florida State, at Louisville). Washington State visits Charlottesville on Saturday before a two-game road swing (at UNC, at Cal).
4. Duke (4–2, 3–0)
Duke was also on a bye. The Blue Devils' last outing was an emphatic 45–21 win at Cal. We'll see if they are a real challenger in the ACC as they take on unbeaten Georgia Tech this upcoming week.
5. Louisville (4–1, 1–1)
The Cards didn’t play after the overtime loss to Virginia but they dive right back into the deep end Friday at Miami in a game with real ACC title implications.
6. California (4–2, 1–1)
Cal was off as well last week. The Golden Bears regroup after the Duke loss in Week 5 and get North Carolina in Berkeley on Friday night before Virginia Tech.
7. SMU (4–2, 2–0)
The Mustangs kept things rolling with a 34–10 win over Stanford — the defense owned the second half — and they’re now 2–0 in ACC play ahead of a visit to Clemson. SMU didn't receive any votes in the AP Poll this week, but with a couple more wins and they will certainly be in the consideration.
8. Pittsburgh (4–2, 2–1)
Best win of the week in the ACC goes to Pitt. The Panthers went to Tallahassee and outlasted Florida State 34–31 as QB Mason Heintschel threw for 321 yards and two scores. Pitt is starting to trend up now after two ACC wins. Also, their only losses are by 7 to Louisville and by 7 to West Virginia.
9. Florida State (3–3, 0–3)
The Seminoles rallied but fell to Pitt and are suddenly 0–3 in the ACC after earlier losses to Virginia and Miami. Entering the season the expectation weren't exactly very high. Then, after the win over Alabama, things seemed like they changed. Now, it looks like HC Mike Norvell could lose his job before the season ends.
10. Syracuse (3–3, 1–2)
There wasn't a team more in need of a bye week than Syracuse. We'll see if it helps them in their matchup Saturday against Pitt. The Orange still sit ahead of Clemson thanks to the head-to-head win over them.
11. Clemson (3–3, 2–2)
Clemson got a 41–10 win over Boston College and slowly but surely are inching their way back up the power rankings. The Tigers remain behind Syracuse because of the head-to-head loss, but they have a chance to continue to build momentum with SMU coming to town next.
12. NC State (4–3, 1–2)
Notre Dame pulled away late in South Bend, but the Wolfpack hold here above Wake Forest on the strength of the earlier 34–24 head-to-head win in Winston-Salem.
13. Wake Forest (4–2, 1–2)
Non-conference or not, a 39–14 road win at Oregon State steadies the ship after the one-point loss to Georgia Tech and the earlier defeat to NC State. Oregon State is 0-7 and just fired their head coach so the win will be taken with a grain of salt.
14. Stanford (2–4, 1–2)
It was rough trip to Dallas in a 34–10 loss at SMU, but the Cardinal’s ACC win over Boston College keeps them above the Eagles and just ahead of Virginia Tech.
15. Virginia Tech (2–5, 1–2)
Short-handed and overmatched at Georgia Tech, the Hokies have now dropped back-to-back games after falling to Wake Forest in Week 6. The two game winning streak feels like a long time ago now.
16. North Carolina (2–3, 0–1)
UNC had last week off after the 38–10 home loss to Clemson. A Friday-night trip to Cal is next as the Heels look to shut out the media storm that has engulfed the program.
17. Boston College (1–5, 0–4)
BC couldn’t slow Clemson down and is the lone ACC team without a conference win. UConn comes to Alumni Stadium next before a road date at Louisville.