ATLANTIC
No. 2 Florida State (7-0, 4-0) – In a hard fought match that featured a controversial ending, the Seminoles were able to come away with a victory against No. 5 Notre Dame. Florida State garnered its 23rd consecutive win, dating back to late in the 2012 season. In addition to that, the ‘Noles became one of three ACC teams to clinch bowl eligibility this week. They look to expand on their winning streak as they travel to new ACC rival Louisville this weekend.
No. 21 Clemson (5-2, 4-1) – With star freshmen quarterback Deshaun Watson sidelined due to a broken finger suffered in the previous week against Louisville, the Tigers’ defense was able to carry an abysmal offense to a close victory over Boston College. Watson is expected to be out for the next few weeks, so look for this to be a common theme until he returns.
Louisville (6-2, 4-2) – The Cardinals were another team to clinch bowl eligibility after a closer than expected win over NC State. The team allowed its first offensive touchdown in five weeks, but its offense got a big boost with senior wide receiver DeVante Parker returning from injury. Parker returned just in time, with Louisville facing two top-10 teams in the next three weeks: No. 2 Florida State and No. 7 Notre Dame.
Boston College (4-3, 1-2) – The Eagles made a late push, but lost to Clemson in a defensive battle. The Eagles’ ninth-ranked rushing attack struggled against a stout Clemson defense, mustering only 120 rushing yards after putting up over 300 the week before. BC will look to bounce back against a struggling Wake Forest team on Saturday.
Syracuse (3-4, 1-2) – The Orange absolutely dominated the Demon Deacons en route to its first ACC win of the season. The team looks to carry its momentum into Death Valley to face a Clemson team that is missing its starting quarterback.
NC State (4-4, 0-4) – The Wolfpack was able to keep it close for the majority of the game against Louisville, but came up short in the end. With the loss, second-year head coach Dave Doeren is 0-12 in conference play. However, the Pack’s schedule lightens up significantly, as the team travels to Syracuse after its bye week.
Wake Forest (2-5, 0-3) – The Demon Deacons were throttled by an unimpressive Syracuse team to remain winless in conference play this season. To make matters worse, freshman quarterback John Wolford was injured in the loss, and his availability is in question in the coming weeks. Wake will face Boston College at home next week.
COASTAL
Duke (6-1, 2-1) – In the battle for Coastal division supremacy, the Blue Devils edged Virginia in a hard-fought match. In their defensive-led victory, the Devils have become bowl eligible for the third straight year under head coach David Cutcliffe. In addition to that, Duke is ranked one spot outside of the AP Top 25 after receiving 108 votes.
Virginia (4-3, 2-1) – The Cavaliers were the only team in the Coastal division that didn’t receive votes in the preseason to win the division. They have proved the doubters wrong, boasting one of the more balanced offenses and top defenses in the conference. After a tough loss to Duke, the Cavs look to bounce back against an up-and-down North Carolina team.
Pittsburgh (4-3, 2-1) – There is a huge drop off in the Coastal division from here, as the remaining five teams have been wildly inconsistent this season. The Panthers snapped a three-game losing streak by holding off a late push by Virginia Tech to come away with the victory. They look to capitalize in this week’s matchup against a defensively weak Georgia Tech team.
Miami (4-3, 1-2) – Miami moves up in the rankings despite having a bye week. The team has also been inconsistent, beating Duke one week and losing to Georgia Tech the next. The Hurricanes look to find an identity under freshman quarterback Brad Kaaya as they face Virginia Tech this week in a Thursday night showdown.
Georgia Tech (5-2, 2-2) – The Yellow Jackets lost their second straight contest as their defense was exposed in last week’s loss to UNC-Chapel Hill. The nation’s fifth-best rushing attack is what has carried this team, and the Jackets look to challenge Pittsburgh’s stellar defense this weekend.
Virginia Tech (4-3, 1-2) – The Hokies have been a confusing team to keep track of, beating Ohio State in week two but losing in close games to mediocre ACC rivals Georgia Tech and Pittsburgh. The team looks to bounce back in its second consecutive Thursday night game against Miami.
UNC-Chapel Hill (3-4, 1-2) – The Tar Heel defense has proved once again that it is the Achilles’ heel of this team, giving up 93 in the last two games. However, the offense has been red hot, putting up 48 points against Georgia Tech and ending a four-game losing skid. Carolina looks to carry its momentum to Virginia this week.
