Stanford Cardinal

ACC Football: Coastal Division Power Rankings Week 3

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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There is a new number one again this week in the ACC Coastal Rankings

Week three produced close calls and blowouts. A top three team fell, while an FCS team found a way to win again.

Let’s get started with the PAC-12. Stanford continued their quest for a playoff spot with a 27-10 victory over USC. California kept their season alive with a win over 11th ranked Texas.

Speaking of the Big 12, they may officially have ended their campaign for the playoff. West Virginia and Baylor are undefeated but neither have played anyone. Every other team has at least one loss and Oklahoma saw their season end in a 45-24 loss to Ohio State.

The Buckeyes continue their run to a playoff spot with that big win against the Sooners. They are not alone in the Big Ten as Michigan and Michigan State are also 3-0. The Spartans got a big win over Notre Dame, whose season is also over.

The Wolverines came back from a 21-7 deficit to win 45-28 over Colorado. Oh and Nebraska is also 3-0 with a win over Oregon, as is Wisconsin. Of course, the biggest news from the Big Ten came in Iowa where the ranked Hawkeyes lost to North Dakota 23-21.

Speaking of North Dakota they are now 6-0 against the FBS in their last six contests. There is a reason they are the number one team in the FCS. Since joining the FCS level back in 2010, the Bison have won five straight national championships and are 22-1 in the playoffs. That is a dynasty.

Speaking of dynasties, Alabama exercised their demons by beating Ole Miss on the road this week. Louisville also gained national attention by rocking FSU at home. Cardinals quarterback, Lamar Jackson, is also is the early front-runner for the Heisman adding five touchdowns to his running total. He now has 18 touchdowns in three games and looks near unstoppable.

All that leaves is the ACC Coastal.

The fluidity continues this week, though some spots are starting to take shape. One of those spots is the bottom one, which is the only one to not change all season.

Sep 17, 2016; East Hartford, CT, USA; Virginia Cavaliers quarterback Kurt Benkert (6) runs the ball in the last seconds of play against the Connecticut Huskies in the second half at Rentschler Field. UConn defeated Virginia 13-10. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Virginia Cavaliers

(0-3)

Last week: Lost 13-10 to ConnecticutLast rank: 7th

Virginia continues to make things easy for the KIH Rankings Guru. Being the only 0-3 team in the ACC means the Cavaliers appear to have regressed since last season. This isn’t a great start for Coach Bronco Mendenhall who left a thriving BYU program to revive the team in Charlottesville. The news isn’t all bad. The team has slowly gotten better as the season has gone along. They were just a missed field goal away from sending the game into OT. RB Taquan Mizzell also was able to get another 100 all-purpose yards for the first time this season. The Cavs will look to get their first win this week at home against Central Michigan. Normally this would appear doable, except the Chippewas are 3-0 this season with a road win against a ranked Oklahoma State team.

Next: Blue Devil Blues

Sep 17, 2016; Evanston, IL, USA; Duke Blue Devils linebacker Joe Giles-Harris (44) sacks Northwestern Wildcats quarterback Clayton Thorson (18) during the second half at Ryan Field. Wildcats won 24-13. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports

Duke Blue Devils

(1-2, 0-1)

Last week: Lost 24-13 to Northwestern Last rank: 6th

Duke’s offensive woes continue. After putting up 49 points against an over-matched FCS team, Duke has scored 27 in their last two games. Last week it happened to an undefeated Wake team. This week it happened to a Wildcats team that was 0-2 with a loss to an FCS team. The defense which was suppose to be the strength has allowed over 350 total yards the last two games. Unfortunately for the Blue Devils the season only gets harder. This week they travel to play a Notre Dame team in need of a dominating win. If Duke loses it will set up a battle for the bottom the following week against UVA.

Next: Beamer Ball still lives in Blacksburg

Sep 17, 2016; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies tight end Chris Cunningham (85) scores a touchdown during the third quarter against the Boston College Eagles during the third quarter at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

Virginia Tech Hokies

(2-1, 1-0)

Last week: Won 49-0 against Boston CollegeLast rank: 5th

The Hokies stay in the fifth spot by doing the thing that made them famous under their previous coach. Boston College was known as the defensive team, but it was Virginia Tech who pitched the shutout. The Hokies held the Eagles to 124 total yards while tossing up 476 yards themselves. That’s a 352 yard difference. Jerod Evans added to his season with 253 yards and five touchdowns. The Hokies also solved their fumbling problems. After fumbling nine times in the first two games, Virginia Tech held onto the ball for all of this one. The only negative was the continued ineffectiveness of Travon McMillian. The star RB rushed for less than 40 yards for the second time this season. Luckily for Virginia Tech Marshawn Williams busted out for 81 yards on 15 carries in his first game play of the season. The Hokies will look to win two games in a row for the first time under Justin Fuente when they welcome in East Carolina this week. ECU currently has a six game winning streak against the ACC. They will be looking to make it seven and three in a row against Virginia Tech.

Next: Pokey Pitt Stop

Sep 17, 2016; Stillwater, OK, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers wide receiver Quadree Henderson (10) runs for a touchdown against the Oklahoma State Cowboys during the second half at Boone Pickens Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports

Pittsburgh Panthers

(2-1)

Last week: Lost 45-38 to Oklahoma StateLast rank: 1st

The next two teams are practically even. Both have a win against an FCS team. Both have a win against a Big Ten team. Both lost to a power five team. Pittsburgh falls a spot behind as their win came at home and their loss to an unranked team. Pittsburgh could’ve won this game. They came back from a 14 deficit twice in the second quarter and tied the game late in the third. However the defense, which gave up 39 points the week before, gave up 45 points this week. The Cowboys QB passed for over 500 yards and they had a 100 yard rusher. James Conner continued his comeback year with 111 yards on the ground and another 60 receiving. He will be licking his chops as the Panthers travel to play the Tar Heels this week. UNC has allowed over 225 yards a game so far this season.

Next: To Thine Own Self be Trubisky

Sep 17, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) looks to pass in the first quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

North Carolina Tar Heels

(2-1)

Last week: Won 56-28 against James Madison Last rank: 2nd

The steady hand of Mitch Trubisky continues to carry the Tar Heels offense. Since the Georgia game, Mitch has gone 43-51 for 697 yards and five touchdowns. That’s a whopping 84% throwing accuracy or right about where he was last season. Plus if you think he is doing this on short little passes, keep in mind that he is averaging over 16 yards per completion in his past two games as well. Against James Madison he set the UNC record for consecutive passes at 18. He is also only two attempts without an interception away from breaking Oscar Davenport’s school record as well. The Tar Heels are also getting a career year out of TJ Logan. If not for Lamar Jackson, Logan might have a chance at ACC player of the year. The senior back continued his tear with 151 all-purpose yards and three scores. Of course not all things were rosy for UNC against James Madison. There was the 21 first quarter points the Dukes scored. There was also the 209 rushing yards the FCS team picked up on the ground. UNC also garnered five unsportsmanlike penalties. The Tar Heels will look to clean things up before their ACC opener against Pitt this week. If they can’t solve their run issues, UNC may not be able to extend their home win streak to nine.

Next: No Place Like Home

Sep 17, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets running back Clinton Lynch (22) celebrates his touchdown catch with wide receiver Jalen Camp (80) during the fourth quarter of their game against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Bobby Dodd Stadium. The Yellow Jackets won 38-7. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

(3-0, 1-0)

Last week: Won 38-7 against VanderbiltLast rank: 4th

The Yellow Jackets are a hard team to place. Yes they are 3-0. Only one other Coastal team can claim that. They are also the only Coastal team with two wins against power five schools. Miami has zero such wins. However Tech also hasn’t played a true road game this season. Virginia Tech is the only other Coastal team to do that. Their three wins also have come against schools that are a combined 3-6 on the season. But again they are 3-0. That means something which is why they find themselves in the two spot this week. The Yellow Jackets rushed for over 250 yards this week and gained over 500 yards total. Georgia Tech continues their home stand this week against Clemson. If they win that game, the one spot is theirs.

Next: Hurricane Blows through the Mountains

Sep 17, 2016; Boone, NC, USA; Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Ahmmon Richards (82) catches a pass during the third quarter against the Appalachian State Mountaineers at Kidd Brewer Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Miami Hurricanes

(3-0)

Last week: Won 45-10 against Appalachian StateLast rank: 3rd

Miami is the only Coastal team without a game against a power five school. They are also the only team to have won every game by at least four touchdowns. Mark Walton continued his rushing tear this week with 130 yards and two touchdowns. Brad Kaaya also joined in the fun throwing for 368 yards and three touchdowns. It is hard to tell how good the Canes really are but they are making sure people are taking them seriously. Miami gets a bye game this week. That means there will probably be a new number one team next week with the Pitt/UNC winner and a Georgia Tech upset vying for the top spot.

Well that does it for this round of power rankings. In four weeks there have been four different holders of the top spot, though Miami has claimed it twice. As I mentioned in the Miami ranking, next week will make it five for five. So enjoy the time off, because these rankings are about to get real.

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