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ACC Football: Coastal Division Power Rankings Week 2
There was a shakeup in our ACC Coastal Division power rankings after the week two games. Find out who jumped to the top.
So all that talk that week two was suppose to be a snooze-fest was well wrong.
Before we get into this week’s rankings, let’s take a look at what happened this past week of college football.
Let’s start in the SEC where Alabama continues to crush teams, Kentucky continues to lose, and Georgia makes no sense. The Mississippi schools also found redemption this week after poor showings the week before.
Let’s head north where Michigan and Ohio State continue to dominate nobody. Northwestern continues to lose to nobody as they lose again but this time to an FCS school.
Out west in the PAC-12, Stanford stays unbeaten by not playing anyone this week. The rest of the conference hasn’t done much else but at least they’re not the Big 12.
Speaking of the Big 12, does anyone want to win it? Oklahoma lost last week. TCU lost this week. Texas may be the best team and this happened to Oklahoma State:
All that brings us back to the ACC. In the Atlantic, FSU and Louisville continue to dominate. Clemson skates by again. NC State continues to lose to non bad teams.
So with that lets delve in to another round of Coastal rankings. Keep in mind these rankings are still fluid as no one has played each other and the schedules are uneven.
As the season continues these rankings will solidify. So with that said, let’s get going with the one team who may already be solidly where they are going to be.
Sep 10, 2016; Eugene, OR, USA; Virginia Cavaliers running back Jordan Ellis (10) carries the ball against the Oregon Ducks during the third quarter at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cole Elsasser-USA TODAY Sports
Virginia Cavaliers
(0-2)
Last week: Lost 44-26 to OregonLast rank: 7th
They also put up six more points on the Ducks then they did on the Spiders. The game was even tied for part of the first quarter.
Toss in the fact that Taquan Mizzell found the end zone and things are looking better for the Cavaliers. Virginia will look to get their first win of the season on the road against Connecticut. The Huskies are 1-1 after losing this week when their coach forgot he didn’t have any timeouts left.
Sep 10, 2016; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils quarterback Daniel Jones (17) gets sacked by Wake Forest Demon Deacons linebacker Marquel Lee (8) during the fourth quarter at Wallace Wade Stadium. Wake defeated Duke 24-14. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Duke Blue Devils
(1-1, 0-1)
Last week: Lost 24-14 to Wake ForestLast rank: 5th
Duke’s running game disappeared this week. After rushing for over 100 yards against NCCU, Jela Duncan rushed for 25 yards against the Deacons. Duke’s defense, which some thought would be their strength, gave up 24 points to a team that had seven the week before.
The only good thing Duke can take away is that their freshman QB threw for over 300 yards. Last season they had a QB throw for over 300 yards once. Duke now travels to play Northwestern this week.
Normally that would be a daunting task, but the Wildcats are 0-2 at home this season.
Next: Fumbles, Fumbles everywhere
Sep 10, 2016; Bristol, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive lineman Shy Tuttle (2) recovers a Virginia Tech Hokies quarterback Jerod Evans (4) fumble during the second half at Bristol Motor Speedway. Tennessee won 45 to 24. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Virginia Tech Hokies
(1-1)
Last week: Lost 45-24 to TennesseeLast rank: 6th
That’s about it.
Despite being up 14-0, Virginia Tech got destroyed by three touchdowns at the motor speedway. The Hokies fumbled it five times in the game, bringing their season total to nine. That’s four and a half per game. Against Liberty, you win. Against Tennessee, you don’t. If the fumbling continues they won’t be beating many other teams this season either.
On the positive side, Jerod Evans continues to look good throwing for 214 yards and a touchdown.
Also, star running back Travon McMillian rushed for over 100 yards and a score. This week the Hokies welcome in Boston College. Even against a team as offensively challenged as the Eagles can be, four fumbles will not spell a victory for the Hokies.
Next: Last Season they started 2-0 as well
Sep 10, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets quarterback TaQuon Marshall (16) runs for a first down in the fourth quarter of their game against the Mercer Bears at Bobby Dodd Stadium. The Yellow Jackets won 35-10. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
(2-0, 1-0)
Last week: Won 35-10 against MercerLast rank: 3rd
The Yellow Jackets drop a spot this week as neither of their wins has been over impressive. They are 2-0 but they were 2-0 last season and went 1-9 the rest of the way. Justin Thomas only threw for 80 yards, though he only threw the ball 10 times. Georgia Tech did look good running the ball as they ran for 364 yards. This week they welcome in Vanderbilt. The Commodores are 1-1 but haven’t beaten anyone good.
Next: Just how explosive is this Hurricane?
Sep 10, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes running back Joseph Yearby (2) carries the ball past Florida Atlantic Owls during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. Miami won 38-10. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Miami Hurricanes
(2-0)
Last week: Won 38-10 against FAULast rank: 1st
Well the answer is in the schedule.
The Canes haven’t left home and they haven’t played a single power five school yet. Their record just isn’t impressive. Sure they have scored 108 points in two games, but they beat an FCS school and one from C-USA. Just to put this in perspective, last season Georgia Tech scored 134 points against similar competition. Again they then went 1-9 to end the season. Miami is an unknown.
The running game does still continue to look good.
Mark Walton and Joseph Yearby rushed for 276 yards and five scores this week after rushing for 221 and three scores the week before. Brad Kaaya looked less impressive, though. The QB still hasn’t thrown for over 200 yards in a game and had two interceptions this past week. Miami will once again play another non-Power Five school this week as they travel to Boone, NC to play App State.
The Mountaineers are no pushover though and are more than capable of defeating the Canes in what will be the biggest home game in App State history.
Next: Different Location, Same Result
Sep 10, 2016; Champaign, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini defensive lineman Dawuane Smoot (91) tackles North Carolina Tar Heels running back Elijah Hood (34) in the endzone for a safety during the 2nd quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Granse-USA TODAY Sports
North Carolina Tar Heels
(1-1)
Last week: Won 48-23 against IllinoisLast rank: 2nd
They are also the only Coastal team to not have played a home game this season.
Anyways, UNC looked much better this week. Mitch finally found his rhythm and picked apart the Illinois defense for 265 yards and two scores.
He also rushed for two more scores. TJ Logan continues to look like an unsung hero accumulating 161 all-purpose yards this week and another score. The defense showed off its strength as well by holding Illinois QB Lunt to just 127 yards.
On the negative side the defense did give up another 100-yard rusher. Elijah Hood looked human as well before a 62-yard run touchdown late in the game. Fedora also continues to make questionable calls, like not kicking the field goal at the end of the half.
Of course these are all fixable and the Heels won. North Carolina will head home for the first time this season. The Heels welcome in James Madison.
The 2-0 Dukes will look to be the latest FCS to get an upset on the road.
Sep 10, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; The Pittsburgh Panthers offense lines up against the Penn State Nittany Lions defense during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. PITT won 42-39. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Pittsburgh Panthers
(2-0)
Last week: Won against Penn State 42-39Last rank: 4th
James Conner continues to impress with 117 yards and another two scores (one receiving). The defense didn’t look great blowing a 21 point lead and giving up 39 points total. However, they did get a big interception to seal the game, after the Nittany Lions had gotten within field goal range. Pittsburgh finally leaves home this week as they travel to play an Oklahoma State team that will not be happy after the loss to Central Michigan.
Well that does it for this weeks rankings. With another week in the books, teams are starting to really establish themselves. With Coastal games starting soon, these teams will be able to establish these rankings out on the field. So rest up, because college football is just getting started.
What did you think of this week’s rankings? Let us know in the comments below.
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