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Four ACC conference matchups this week saw a couple teams rise and fall in this week’s power rankings.
Six teams had a bye week this week giving some teams an advantage in the “rest” department. A team like the Clemson Tigers could use it with running back Wayne Gallman fighting off concussion symptoms.
The Week 8 Power Rankings saw the Louisville Cardinals return to the high-powered offense that left folks talking Heisman. The Tar Heels survived in Charlottesville despite a few key injuries on their offensive line.
And don’t look now, but here come the surging Virginia Tech Hokies after their easy win over the Miami Hurricanes. Here are the Week 8 ACC Power Rankings.
Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Boston College Golden Eagles
(3-4)
Last week: L 28-20 SyracuseLast rank: 14th
The Boston College Golden Eagles start this week’s power rankings as the last place team. In ACC play, they are averaging 11 points per game.
The Golden Eagles have lost two straight games and their lost 12 conference games. As they are 0-4 in conference play, things are looking bleak for head coach Steve Addazio in Chestnut Hill this season.
The Boston College offense put together 13 points on offense and just 64 passing yards this week. Running back Myles Willis score on an 89-yard kickoff return to power the special teams unit.
Quarterback Patrick Towles was 4 for 14 with 45 passing yards and an interception but he also ran for 104 yards and a touchdown.
The Golden Eagles rank 120th in the FBS in passing yards per game with 146.1 yards per contest. If they want things to get better, they’ll need to get things going through the air. They rank last in the conference in passing yards per game.
They are currently being outscored 44-150 in conference games so far this season. The defense has allowed the most points in the ACC.
This Week: @NC State
The Golden Eagles continue their conference schedule on the road against the NC State Wolfpack. They dropped last season’s meeting 24-8 but are 8-5 overall against NC State.
Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports
Virginia Cavaliers
(2-5)
Last week: L 35-14 UNCLast rank: 13th
The Virginia Cavaliers have lost their lost two conference games and remain at 13 in this week’s ACC power rankings.
The Cavaliers are 1-2 in conference play since 34-20 victory over Duke in Week 5. The offense stalled this week after playing the Tar Heels close in the first half. They lost 35-14 as the North Carolina passing attack was too much to deal with.
The Virginia defense allowed 310 passing yards despite forcing two fumbles in the game. The offense managed 253 total yards of offense. They went 3 for 19 on third down conversions despite holding the ball for 32:42.
Quarterback Kurt Benkert threw for 126 passing yards, his lowest output of the season. He did not throw a touchdown pass but did have a fumble in the game. Backup quarterback Matt Johns was 1 for 1 for 11 yards and a touchdown. Running back Taquan Mizzell was a spark out of the backfield. He ran the ball 19 times for 106 yards and a touchdown.
The Virginia offense was forced to punt ten times in the game.
This Week: Louisville
The Cavaliers welcome Louisville and Heisman favorite quarterback Lamar Jackson to town this week. It could be a good game, or it could get ugly. Let’s hope Virginia comes prepared to handle the Human Highlight Reel.
Oct 14, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Duke Blue Devils running back Shaun Wilson (29) runs the ball against the Louisville Cardinals during the second half at Papa John
duke Blue Devils
(3-4)
Last week: ByeLast rank: 12th
The Duke Blue Devils are coming off a bye week and are 0-3 in ACC play. They face the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets this week looking for their first conference win of the season. So far they’ve lost to Wake Forest, Virginia, and Louisville. They travel to Georgia Tech this week before facing Virginia Tech, North Carolina, Pittsburgh, and Miami. So wins may be hard to come by. They hold steady at 12 in this week’s power rankings.
Mandatory Credit: Adam Hagy-USA TODAY Sports
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
(4-3)
Last week: ByeLast rank: 11th
The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets are coming off a bye week as well. They stay steady at 11 in this week’s power rankings. They have lost their lost three ACC games since starting 1-0. The Yellow Jackets offense rank last in passing yards per game, producing just 120.9 yards a contest. With their Triple Option attack ranked third in the conference at 234.3 rushing yards a game, it’s hard to go away from. But turnovers have been the Achilles’ heel this season. They have eight this season, five by way of fumble. They’ll need to hold on to the ball if they want to win this week against Duke.
Oct 22, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack quarterback Ryan Finley (15) recovers a fumbles snap under the pressure of Louisville Cardinals linebacker Stacy Thomas (32) during the second quarter at Papa John
NC State Wolfpack
(4-3)
Last week: L 54-13 LouisvilleLast rank: 8th
The NC State Wolfpack drop two spots in this week’s power rankings. After keeping things close against Clemson, they got out of hand in a hurry against Louisville. They are now 1-2 in ACC play, losing their last two games.
The Wolfpack offense had a rough day all game long. They converted just nine first downs in the game and were 3-14 on third down conversions. They managed just 14 total rushing yards on 25 rushing attempts. Running back Matthew Dayes was held to five carries for 13 yards. His longest carry of the day was for seven yards.
The Wolfpack offense turned the ball over three times. Quarterback Ryan Finley threw two interceptions and his backup Jalen McClendon threw one as well. Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson and the Louisville defense torched the Wolfpack in the first half, the score was 44-0 at halftime.
Turnovers proved costly early in the first half as the Cardinals scored 17 points off turnovers early in the first half.
This Week: Boston College
The Wolfpack schedule gets a bit easier this week but no ACC opponent is to be taken lightly week-to-week. They face Boston College this week. They won last season’s meeting 24-8.
Oct 22, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Syracuse wide receiver Amba Etta-Tawo (7) tries to leap past Boston College defensive back Kamrin Moore (5) during the second half of Syracuse
Syracuse Orange
(4-4)
Last week: W 28-20 Boston CollegeLast rank: 10th
The Syracuse Orange climb up to nine in this week’s power rankings after their 28-20 victory over Boston College. At 2-2 in the ACC and two wins away from bowl eligibility, the Orange may be on to something. The Orange have won their last two conference games as quarterback Eric Dungey and receiver Amba Etta-Tawo continue to power the Syracuse offense.
Dungey threw for 434 yards and three touchdowns in the game. He was 32 for 38 passing. Dungey is second in the FBS and first in the ACC in passing yards with 2,631. Etta-Tawo had 10 catches for 144 yards and a touchdown. He is second in the FBS in receiving yards with 1,074 and first in the ACC in receiving touchdowns with seven. Receiver Steve Ishmael had eight catches for 108 yards and a touchdown in the game as well.
The Syracuse defense did allow 223 rushing yards in the game but holding the Golden Eagles to 64 passing yards helped to even things out. It beats their game against Louisville in Week 2, where they allowed 845 total yards.
This Week: Bye
Head coach Dino Babers has the Orange playing well after losing a few games in a row. They’ve got a bye week coming up before traveling to face Clemson on the road November 5.
Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports
Miami Hurricanes
(4-3)
Last week: L 37-16 Virginia TechLast rank: 7th
The Miami Hurricanes drop one spot in this week’s power rankings. They are 1-3 in ACC play and have lost their last three games after starting 4-0 on the season. They looked unprepared this week against Virginia Tech in their 37-16 loss.
Quarterback Brad Kaaya threw for 323 passing yards and two touchdowns. But he was sacked eight times in the game and threw an interception. The Hurricanes were held to their lowest rushing total of the season with 42 rushing yards. For the second time in three games, the offense did not score a rushing touchdown. Miami converted 15 first downs in the games and went 3 for 15 on third down conversions.
The Hurricanes defense allowed 523 total yards and 28 first downs to the Hokies, the most allowed all season. The 251 rushing yards allowed were second highest allowed since their win over Georgia Tech 35-21. The Canes allow over 5 yards per play when they lose. To Virginia Tech, the defense gave up 6.7 yards per play.
This Week: Notre Dame
The Hurricanes face the slumping Notre Dame Fighting Irish this week, their first meeting since 2012. They have lost the last three meetings to Notre Dame. If they want to get back on track, a win would help.
Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports
Wake Forest Demon Deacons
(5-2)
Last week: ByeLast rank: 9th
The Wake Forest Demon Deacons move up two spots in the power ranking despite the bye week. They face the Army Black Knights this week. The Demon Deacons look to get their sixth win next week against Army. They are 11-4 all time against Army and have won the last nine meetings.
Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Pittsburgh Panthers
(5-2)
Last week: ByeLast rank: 5th
This was a tough week for the Pittsburgh Panthers to go on a bye week. As the Hokies are 5-2 after defeating Miami in the Coastal division, they drop a spot. To get their spot back this week, they’ll need to defeat the Virginia Tech Hokies. The Panthers meet the Hokies at home on Thursday night. The Panthers have won six of the last seven meetings.
Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports
Virginia Tech Hokies
(5-2)
Last week: W 37-16 MiamiLast rank: 6th
The Virginia Tech Hokies got back to their winning ways this week and climb back in the top five of this week’s power rankings. The Hokies have allowed the least amount of points in conference play so far this season with 50 points.
They made the Hurricanes offense look average this past Thursday. The defense got eight sacks, one turnover, and held Miami to just 42 total rushing yards. Defensive end Woody Baron had 2.5 sacks and fellow end Vinny Mihota had two sacks as well. The Hokies were without starting defensive ends Ken Ekanem and Nigel Williams in the game.
The offense was led by quarterback Jerod Evans who threw for 259 yards and ran for 98 yards. He passed for two touchdowns and ran for another. Running back Travon McMillian ran the ball 18 times for 131 yards. It was his second time rushing for over 100 yards this season.
This Week: Pittsburgh
The Hokies face the Pittsburgh Panthers this week. They lead the ACC in sacks and have owned the Hokies the past few seasons. Virginia Tech has lost the last two meetings and won one in the last seven meetings.
Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports
Florida State Seminoles
(5-2)
Last week: ByeLast rank: 4th
The Florida State Seminoles are coming off a bye week, which is much needed for running back Dalvin Cook. They are four in this week’s power rankings. As the Seminoles begin their final stretch of the schedule, they want their star players to be fresh and well rested. They remain steady at four in this week’s power rankings. They face the Clemson Tigers in primetime this week in a must-win game.
Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports
North Carolina Tar Heels
(6-2)
Last week: W 35-14 VirginiaLast rank: 3rd
The North Carolina Tar Heels remain in third in this week’s power rankings. They control their own destiny in the Coastal division at the moment as they are in first place. The Tar Heels face a fairly favorable schedule going forward as well with Georgia Tech, Duke, and NC State left on the ACC slate.
They made easy work of the Virginia Cavaliers 35-14 after taking a 14-7 lead into halftime. Quarterback Mitch Trubisky threw for 310 yards and three touchdowns. Running back Elijah Hood carried the ball 16 times for 107 yards and a touchdown. Running back T.J. Logan ran for 61 yards and a touchdown as well.
At 4-1 in ACC play, the Tar Heels possibly control their own fate before this year’s ACC Championship game. If they can win out and if the Hokies lose this week, they’ll be looking at their first shot at an ACC title since 1980.
This Week: Georgia Tech
The Tar Heels face the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets this week. They have won the last two meetings by a possession or less. So needless to say, this week’s matchup should be a shootout.
Oct 22, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) runs the ball against North Carolina State Wolfpack linebacker Airius Moore (58) during the first quarter at Papa John
Louisville Cardinals
(6-1)
Last week: W 54-13 NC StateLast rank: 2nd
The Louisville Cardinals remain in second in this week’s power rankings after an explosive offensive performance. They led 44-0 by halftime over NC State and never made things interesting this week.
Quarterback Lamar Jackson set the single-season touchdown record against the Wolfpack with 34. Jackson threw for three touchdowns and ran for another in the game to lead the Cardinals offense to 54 points in the game. Tight end Cole Hikutini caught six passes for 118 yards and a touchdown. Hikutini continues to be Jackson’s new favorite target. He has 393 receiving yards and four touchdowns this season.
Jackson didn’t rush for 100 yards for just the second time this season but he did have 76 rushing yards. He also had 355 passing yards. The offense gained 553 total yards of offense, 24 first downs despite two turnovers in the game.
This Week: @Virginia
The Louisville Cardinals travel to Charlottesville this week to face Virginia. They are 2-2 all-time against each other. Louisville won last season’s meeting 38-31.
Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports
clemson tigers
(7-0)
Last week: ByeLast rank: 1st
The Clemson Tigers are coming off a bye week. Hopefully running back Wayne Gallman is ready to go this week as he’s battling a concussion. The Tigers face Florida State this week at 8 pm in Death Valley. It should be another classic game as teams usually give Clemson their best effort. The Seminoles should be no different.
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