College Football: ACC Power Rankings

After 5 weeks of the College Football season, these are the power rankings in the ACC:

1. Miami

The Hurricanes would have my vote for the most likely team to go 12-0 this season. Their most difficult remaining game this season is this Saturday against Florida State. I’m also assuming that the poor game management of Mario Cristobal doesn’t cost them a game, which it famously has over the years.

2. Georgia Tech

The Yellow Jackets escaped a near-disaster at Wake Forest on Saturday. Were they offside? I mean, it sure looked like it. But credit to Haynes King for making the plays he needed to make in order to bring home the W. 

3. Florida State

A lot of the concerns I had with FSU in the preseason reared their ugly head in their Week 5 loss against Virginia. Their offensive line struggled, and the secondary couldn’t cover anyone. That being said, they still own a win over Alabama and would reach the CFP by winning out. 

4. Louisville

I just don’t know what to make of this Louisville team yet. But I liked the play of the Offensive Line, and Miller Moss was better than I expected in the win over Pitt. This week will tell us a lot as the Cards host Virginia.

5. Virginia

The ‘Hoos had the field storming of the season after beating FSU on Friday. And they did it responsibly, too, as no players got hurt. Contrary to popular belief, I am pro-court/field storming when it is done respectfully and responsibly (which is rare). Chandler Morris and Co. can not afford a letdown game against Louisville. 

6. SMU

Is SMU good? I know 3 things: 1. Kevin Jennings is good enough to carry them to a win against almost anyone. 2. The secondary is bad enough to give up 40 to anyone. 3. The Mustangs have two non-conference losses, but that doesn’t matter at all in their ability to win the ACC. 

7. Duke

The last two games are exactly why you bring in Darian Mensah. Duke is averaging 41.5 points in their last two as the offense has found its stride under Mensah. The Blue Devils have their late-night game this week as they travel to Cal to play in Pac-12 — I mean ACC — after dark

8. Clemson

The bye in Week 5 should have done wonders for a Clemson team that has looked bad all-around in their 1-3 start. A trip to Chapel Hill should allow them to find themselves. I expect a huge game from Adam Randall against this UNC defense. 

9. Pittsburgh

The Panthers could very easily be 4-0 this season, but sit at 2-2 after losing in OT to West Virginia and blowing a 17-point lead to Louisville. The bright spot? The Panthers’ best player, Desmond Reid, hasn’t played in the last 7 quarters, and the offense is still functioning. If Reid comes back, the season could turn upwards. 

10. California

I really like Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, okay? I think the true freshman has got the chance to be a household name in a year or two, and the Golden Bears’ only goal this season should be to show him enough that he sticks around for 2026.