POWER RANKINGS

Breaking down the ACC

1. Clemson:

The Tigers are fortunate to carry a 20-game winning streak into the open weekend after that great escape in Chapel Hill

2. Virginia:

The Cavaliers couldn’t hang with Notre Dame, but it was probably a good gage on where they stand in the big picture

3. Wake Forest:

The Demon Deacons are back in the national rankings. They have only two October games, both at home

4. Pittsburgh:

The Panthers survived a scare from Delaware. If nothing else, they should feel comfortable in close games

5. Syracuse:

Orange made things right with a couple of non-league victories, now it’s conference play for the rest of the way

6. North Carolina:

The Tar Heels probably gained more respect in the loss to Clemson than winning their first two games of the season. It’s an odd three-game losing streak.

7. Florida State:

The Seminoles tried a new quarterback and it worked out quite well. Maybe things aren’t so dire after all

8. Duke:

The Blue Devils had their way with Virginia Tech. They have only one loss, and it came against new No. 1 Alabama

9. Miami:

The Hurricanes might be able to climb on this list and they can’t afford a slip-up this weekend

10. North Carolina State:

The Wolfpack has questions at quarterback looming, and a weekend off to sort it out

11. Boston College:

The Eagles can move the ball on the ground, but that hasn’t been a formula that solves everything

12. Virginia Tech:

The Hokies took a big dive and their fans weren’t pleased about the final three quarters against Duke

13. Louisville:

The Cardinals should have had a good scouting weekend. Their next two opponents (Boston College and Wake Forest) faced off in a close game

14. Georgia Tech:

The single-digit point total against Temple is among the reasons the Yellow Jackets drop to the bottom