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Louisville Football: Week 7 ACC Power Rankings
Since we are now halfway through the season for most teams in college football, we rank Louisville football and the other ACC teams.
For Louisville football and the other 13 teams in the ACC, the college football season has been a series of ups and downs. For some teams, there are legitimate playoff hopes and other teams are just hoping to make it to the end of the season healthy.
Louisville has had the biggest surge of the season so far, in terms of teams in the ACC. They have beaten Florida State for the first time since joining the ACC, however lost to Clemson a few weeks later. That loss will, more than likely, keep them behind Clemson for the rest of the season in the second spot in the ACC.
Clemson is the ACC’s best team right now in terms of where they are ranked in the most recent associated press’ poll for week seven. It’s really tough to say that they are a better team than the Cardinals, but they were able to pull of the victory, so good for them.
Florida State is not having their best season to date, but Louisville football fans know how quickly a season can turn around. The Cards started the 2015 season 0-3, but went on an incredible run to finish 8-5 with a win over the Texas A&M Aggies in the Music City Bowl.
There are many good ACC teams at this point in the season and we rank them in the following slides.
Oct 7, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Clemson Tigers defensive back K
14. Boston College Eagles (3-3) (0-3 in the ACC)
The Eagles are not getting the results that they were looking for in the ACC after they made Kentucky-transfer Patrick Towles the starting quarterback to start the 2016 season. Most recently, they got hammered by the Clemson Tigers 56-10. Other than a first quarter special-teams fumble, I’m not sure that the Eagles ever had momentum in a home game against the Tigers last weekend.
If they play well, they have an opportunity to make a bowl game this season. However, that is going to take at least one upset for the Eagles to achieve that feat.
Here are the teams that they have left to face in 2016:
They could beat Syracuse and UCONN, but would have to play great games to beat any of their other four opponents in 2016. Defensively they can be strong, but unfortunately their offense can struggle if everything is not going there way. Boston College is easily the ACC’s worst right now.
Oct 8, 2016; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils safety Deondre Singleton (33) celebrates a fumble recovery for a turnover against the Army Black Knights in the second half of their game at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports
13. Duke Blue Devils (3-3) (0-2 in the ACC)
The 12th and 13th spots in the ACC are pretty much a toss up between the Duke Blue Devils and the Syracuse Orange. I feel like the biggest difference between the two teams is their quarterbacks.
Freshman quarterback Daniel Jones has done a fine job with what he has been given so far in his NCAA career. I just don’t feel as though he is as good as Syracuse quarterback Eric Dungey. Jones currently has thrown more interceptions than touchdowns and still has a brutal schedule to finish 2016.
Here are the teams that Duke still has yet to play:
I would honestly be surprised if Duke won another game this season. When it’s all said and done, they may have the worst ACC record of anyone, but they have six more games to prove me wrong.
Oct 8, 2016; Winston-Salem, NC, USA; Syracuse Orange quarterback Zack Mahoney (16) gets hit as he runs the ball during the fourth quarter against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at BB&T Field. Wake defeated Syracuse 28-9. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
12. Syracuse Orange (2-4) (0-2 in the ACC)
Dino Babers first year as the Orange’s head coach isn’t going as well as we expected, but they have had some tough games to start year. He brought an up-tempo offense that backfired for Syracuse against Louisville where they had quick three-and-outs, allowing Louisville more possessions in the game.
They may run into that problem all year if they cannot sustain point-scoring drives.
The bright spot for Syracuse is their top receiver Amba Etta-Tawo and quarterback Eric Dungey. Etta-Tawo has already caught over 876 receiving yards for six touchdowns and Dungey had thrown for almost 1,900 yards and 11 touchdowns.
It doesn’t look like this Orange football team is going to be bowl eligible this season as here are the teams they have left to play:
There are maybe one or two wins in there at most, but like Duke, they may not win a ACC match-up this season. Look for the Orange to be much better going forward.
Oct 1, 2016; Durham, NC, USA; Virginia Cavaliers running back Albert Reid (2) carries the ball against Duke Blue Devils safety Alonzo Saxton II (21) in the second half at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports
11. Virginia Cavaliers (2-4) (1-0 in the ACC)
Would you look at the Virginia Cavaliers who are actually second in the ACC’s Coastal division as you read this post for the first time. However, don’t be fooled, they aren’t quite that good, but they aren’t quite that bad either. Even though they are only 2-4 to start the season, they have won their only ACC game against Duke on the road.
With that being said, they aren’t going to be favored in any ACC game in the rest of 2016. Actually, every team they okay for the rest of the season will probably be making an appearance in a bowl game this December or January. Good luck Virginia.
Here are the teams that they have left to play:
They do get to play their next three games at home, but I doubt they will win any of those three games or their last home game of the year against Miami. The ACC has some top level teams this year and Virginia isn’t even close.
Oct 1, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets running back Dedrick Mills (26) tries to work past Miami Hurricanes defense during the fourth quarter of the game at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports
10. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (3-3) (1-3 in the ACC)
You have to wonder how long Georgia Tech is going to put up with head coach Paul Johnson after another rough start to begin the 2016 season. They were able to put together a huge come-from-behind win against Boston College to start the year, but have been disappointing ever since. While they aren’t bad, they are not at the level at which fans in Atlanta expect them to be.
The good news for Georgia Tech is that their schedule does ease up a bit after playing Clemson, Miami, and Pittsburgh all in a row. I predict that they will make a bowl game this season and will be the tenth ACC to make the post-season in 2016.
Here are the Yellow Jackets’ opponents for the rest of 2016:
There are definitely six wins to be had that on schedule. Who knows if that’s enough for Johnson to keep his job, but the Yellow Jackets should be playing in a bowl game in December.
Oct 8, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers linebacker Quintin Wirginis (58) reacts on the field against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. Pittsburgh won 37-34. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
9. Pittsburgh Panthers (4-2) (1-2 in the ACC)
James Conner has been a beast for the Panthers this season as he has already rushed for 441 yards and five touchdowns. He is clearly the best player on the Panthers’ offense in 2016.
If it hadn’t have been for a couple of one-score losses against North Carolina and Oklahoma State, we may be talking about Pittsburgh being the Coastal’s representative in the ACC Championship game. However, there are always reasons that teams don’t have as good of records as they should, and Pitt is no exception.
They have a tough next couple of weeks, which could hurt their record, but they should have enough talent to win at least six, if not seven games in 2016.
Here are the teams that they have left to play:
As you can see, there are three more wins on the year for Pittsburgh to take in 2016. The game against V-Tech, Miami, and Clemson are games that they probably won’t come out victorious.
Oct 8, 2016; Winston-Salem, NC, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons running back Cade Carney (36) celebrates after a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Syracuse Orange at BB&T Field. Wake defeated Syracuse 28-9. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
8. Wake Forest (5-1) (2-1 in the ACC)
What a great year this has been for the ACC when the eight best team in the conference in sitting at 5-1 after six weeks of football. The Demon Deacons have been a surprise to everyone in college football, especially the teams that they have beaten for far this year.
The biggest different between the 7th and 8th spots in this ranking is that fact that NC State beat Wake Forest in September 33-16. If it would have been a closer game, I may have given this spot to the Wolfpack. However, I bet Demon Deacon fans didn’t expect to be 5-1 this early in the 2016 season.
Here are the rest of their opponents in 2016:
I am going out on a limb here to say that Wake Forest will gave eight wins at the end of this season. Home games against Army, Virginia, and Boston College will prove to be great for the Deacon’s bid towards a solid bowl game this December.
Oct 8, 2016; Raleigh, NC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack players celebrate a win against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Carter Finley Stadium. The Wolfpack won 10-3. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
7. NC State Wolfpack (4-1) (1-0 in the ACC)
Could the Wolfpack surprise us all and beat Clemson to be the Atlantic division representative in the ACC Championship game this year? Well, probably not, but they are playing really well to start this season as they are almost halfway through their schedule.
Other than Wake Forest, they haven’t really played anyone decent this season. Sorry Notre Dame fans, but this isn’t the year for the Fighting Irish. By the way, if you watched that game, how crazy was that rain?
Anyways, here are the teams that the Wolfpack have yet to play this season:
It looks as though the Wolfpack are going to fall to 4-3 very quickly, but should end the season with a 6-6 record. I don’t see them beating FSU, Miami, or UNC to end the year. Good start Wolfpack, but this may be the best it gets, other than the bowl game.
Oct 8, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies linebacker Tremaine Edmunds (49) sacks North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) in the second quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
6. North Carolina (4-2) (2-1 in the ACC)
After representing the ACC in the conference championship game last season, the Tar Heels will have an opportunity to get one step closer to that goal against Miami this weekend. Things were looking way up for UNC after they hit a clutch field to beat Florida State, but got hammered last weekend against Virginia Tech.
The loss to the Hokies definitely makes things tougher for the Tar Heels moving forward, as they would need V-Tech to lose at least two more game before the end of the season. Otherwise, it looks as though Miami or V-Tech will be in the conference championship.
Here are the teams that UNC has left to play this season:
If North Carolina can get through Miami, then who knows, maybe then can make the conference championship. However, that would take the Tar Heels not slipping up against weaker opposition for the rest of the year.
Oct 8, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes tight end Christopher Herndon IV (23) is tackled by Florida State Seminoles defensive back Trey Marshall (20) during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
5. Miami Hurricanes (4-1) (1-1 in the ACC)
Miami should really be kicking themselves, or kicking extra points better, after losing to Florida State again last weekend. If they could have sustained their lead or made the extra point to maybe force overtime, then they would have been in amazing position to make the conference championship and maybe the College Football Playoff.
No, they aren’t better than Clemson, but they would have at least had a better chance than most teams to make it there. The Hurricanes now are in a race with the Virginia Tech Hokies to win the ACC’ Coastal division and a match-up between the two schools is looming in a few weeks.
Here are the Canes’ 2016 opponents:
Look at that schedule for the rest of the season for the Hurricanes. If they can get through North Carolina, then the game against Virginia Tech would be huge in terms of their conference championship hopes. This is the best season that Miami fans have seen in a while.
Oct 8, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies quarterback Jerod Evans (4) celebrates with fans after the game. The Hokies defeated the Tar Heels 34-3 at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
4. Virginia Tech Hokies (4-1) (2-0 in the ACC)
This is another team that hasn’t had a great year in a while and is heading straight down the path towards winning the ACC’s Coastal division at 4-1, the Hokies have already defeated North Carolina, but got destroyed by a top ten team in Tennessee back in September. They are good, but they aren’t that good.
Don’t get me wrong, they may be good enough to win the Coastal, but I wouldn’t say they are College Football Playoff worthy with one loss. That spot is going to be reserves for the Louisville football team at the end of November.
Here are the Hokies opponents for the rest of 2016:
The Miami game should be the biggest game of the year for the Hokies. If they can win that game, then they are going to be in great position to win the Coastal. Good job Hokies, you are having a great season.
Oct 8, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback Deondre Francois (12) carries the ball during the first half against Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
3. Florida State Seminoles (4-2) (1-2 in the ACC)
Even though they are only 1-2 in the ACC, they have played a harder schedule than any of the teams that we have ranked below them. Deondre Francois has been hit hard a ton this year, but he has stuck in there and has made great plays regardless. He has earned our respect this season for sure.
The Seminoles really need Derwin James to come back because they have been struggling on defense this season. Other than holding Miami to 19 points, only Charleston Southern has scored less points on Florida State.
Here are the teams they have left to play in 2016:
A semi-tough schedule awaits the Seminoles for the rest of October and November. Let’s see if they can run the table and end the season at 10-2. If they can, I bet that Fisher to LSU talk will cease.
Oct 1, 2016; Clemson, SC, USA; Louisville Cardinals safety Chucky Williams (22) recovers a fumble by Clemson Tigers tight end Jordan Leggett (16) during the third quarter at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports
2. Louisville Cardinals (4-1) (2-1 in the ACC)
Louisville could quite honestly make the College Football Playoff with one loss if Washington loses a game this season. A close road loss to the Clemson Tigers could haunt the Cardinals all season, but they just need to keep taking care of business and control what they can control.
They are still very much in play for a New Year’s Six bowl as well this season. After a 8-5 season in 2015, a bowl of that nature would still be a major success for the Cardinals in 2016. Not to mention, they may have the Heisman Trophy winner taking snaps behind center.
Here are the rest of the Cards’ opponents in 2016:
Louisville should be able to beat every opponent left on their plate. Houston will obviously be their toughest match-up and hopefully the Cougars will be back inside the top ten by that point in the year. Cross you fingers Cardinals fans, it could still happen.
Oct 7, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Clemson Tigers sing the school song after defeating the Boston College Eagles 56-10 at Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports
1. Clemson Tigers (6-0) (3-0 in the ACC)
It looks as though there isn’t going to be a new Atlantic division champion this season, as the Tigers have taken care of Louisville and Florida State already has two conference losses. Dabo Swinney has his boys sitting at number three in the country and first overall among the teams in the ACC.
Deshaun Watson has come to life after a slower start to the 2016 season. He had a decent game against the Cardinal, but then destroyed the Boston College Eagles on the road last weekend. The Tigers are trending up and they may not lose another regular season game again this year.
Here are the rest of the Tigers’ opponents:
The only way that Louisville can make the conference championship game is if Clemson loses two ACC games this season. Other than FSU, there may not be a team ready to bring down the Tigers. Bad news for Louisville and good news for Clemson.
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