POWER RANKINGS

Breaking down the ACC

1. Clemson:

The Tigers return to fine form by routing Seminoles. Remember when the matchup with Florida State used to be a big deal?

2. Pittsburgh:

The No. 2 spot in this poll is tough to determine. Panthers didn’t play last week, so they move into it.

3. North Carolina:

The Tar Heels had a week off and they’re still the only team to give the Tigers a real scare.

4. Virginia:

The Cavaliers sputter at Miami and now they have a blemish in the Coastal Division.

5. Duke:

The Blue Devils do what they were supposed to do against Georgia Tech. Seems like the visit to Virginia looms larger than ever.

6. Wake Forest:

The Demon Deacons score 59 points and those aren’t enough against Louisville. Will it be Jamie Newman or Sam Hartman at quarterback this week?

7. Florida State:

The Seminoles probably sense how far they’ve fallen given that rough outing at Clemson.

8. North Carolina State:

The Wolfpack moves Bailey Hockman into the first-string role at quarterback, but the defense did most of the good work against Syracuse.

9. Louisville:

The Cardinals have won two in a row in the conference, so this is a good time for a showdown with Clemson. Or is it?

10. Boston College:

The Eagles will need to show up with a good defensive outing – and there haven’t been many – when the Wolfpack visits.

11. Miami:

The Hurricanes finally pick up their first conference victory, but there’s a long ways to go in order for them to be viewed as contenders.

12. Syracuse:

Orange hasn’t defeated a team from a Power 5 conference, so this shapes up as a disappointing season at the midway mark.

13. Virginia Tech:

The Hokies continue to be so hard to figure out. And remember, two of their victories are against Football Championship Subdivision teams.

14. Georgia Tech:

The Yellow Jackets came undone early in the loss at Duke and there’s nothing in sight that appears easy for this group.