POWER RANKINGS

1. Clemson ( 5- 0, 4- 0 ACC): This week’s foe is Syracuse, which was drubbed by Clemson 41- 6 last season. A similar result might qualify as a moral victory for Syracuse.

2. Notre Dame ( 4- 0, 3- 0): The Irish head to Pitt for their first road game. A change of scenery could be good for Notre Dame, which beat Louisville 12- 7 last week.

3. Miami ( 4- 1, 3- 1): With a home game against Virginia up next, Miami has a good chance to be packing a 5- 1 record heading into upcoming back- to- back road games.

4. North Carolina ( 3- 1, 3- 1): The Tar Heels get a chance to respond to their first defeat of the season - at Florida State - against rival N. C. State.

5. N. C. State ( 4- 1, 4- 1): The Wolfpack lost QB Devin Leary. The timing couldn’t be worse what with North Carolina and Miami up next on N. C. State’s schedule.

6. Virginia Tech ( 3- 1, 3- 1): Running back Khalil Herbert continues to roughshod over all opponents and leads the nation at 148 yards per game.

7. Florida State ( 2- 3, 1- 3): Florida State jumped out to a 31- 7 lead against North Carolina last week then disappeared for the majority of the second half.

8. Wake Forest ( 2- 2, 1- 2): Wake posted its fourth consecutive victory against Virginia last week, which is the longest ever in its series against the Cavaliers.

9. Pitt ( 3- 3, 2- 3): The Panthers, who have lost three in a row after a 3- 0 start, will need QB Kenny Pickett to return to have a chance to knock off Notre Dame.

10. Boston College ( 3- 2, 2- 2): The Eagles committed five turnovers in last week’s loss at Virginia Tech.

11. Louisville ( 1- 4, 0- 4): Louisville has more than its share of offensive weapons; they just seem to engage – or fail to engage – at the wrong times.

12. Virginia ( 1- 3, 1- 3): Virginia and Miami have split their past 14 meetings, but this version of the Cavaliers is a far cry from last season’s Coastal Division champ.

13. Georgia Tech ( 2- 3, 2- 2): The Yellow Jackets are coming off a 66- point loss to Clemson – the largest margin of defeat between ACC opponents in league history.

14. Duke ( 1- 5, 1- 5): The Blue Devils get a much- needed Saturday off this week before kicking off a three- game homestand.

15. Syracuse ( 1- 4, 1- 3): Syracuse solidified its lock on last place by being whipped at home by Liberty, which outgained the Orange 520- 308.