1. No. 5 Clemson (6-0, 3-0 ACC)
Deshaun Watson proved that he is capable of throwing the ball deep against Boston College, who had one of the top defenses in the country going into the game. He threw for more than 400 yards against the Eagles. The Tigers will take on Miami next.
2. No. 9 Florida State (6-0, 4-0 ACC)
Everett Golson proved this weekend that Dalvin Cook is not the only offensive weapon that Florida State has, throwing for 372 yards and three touchdowns against Louisville to go along with Cook’s 163 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. The ‘Noles will look to continue their hot start against Georgia Tech.
3. (RV) UNC-Chapel Hill (5-1, 2-0 ACC)
Defensive coordinator Gene Chizik has seemed to be the missing piece for the Tar Heels, who have been outgained offensively in only one matchup of their six games. Chizik will look to keep the defense rolling against Virginia Saturday in Chapel Hill.
4. No. 23 Duke (5-1, 2-0 ACC)
The Blue Devils had the week off in the ACC this weekend, giving head coach David Cutcliffe plenty of time to prepare for a tough road game in Blacksburg, Virginia, against the Hokies.
5. No. 25 Pittsburgh (5-1, 3-0 ACC)
Other than a 3-point loss to No. 13 Iowa, the Panthers have a 4-0 record against FBS teams, including three straight conference wins. The Panthers have a matchup with a struggling Syracuse team before a Thursday matchup with the Tar Heels.
6. Miami (4-2, 1-1 ACC)
Miami has silenced the Al Golden critics for now after defeating Virginia Tech this past weekend 30-20. Canes sophomore quarterback Brad Kaaya looked great against the Hokies, throwing for 296 yards and two touchdowns, giving him a performance to build on going into the team’s matchup with Clemson.
7. Virginia Tech (3-4, 1-2 ACC)
Brendan Motley continued to struggle as Michael Brewer’s replacement, only throwing for 135 yards and two interceptions in a loss to the Miami Hurricanes this past weekend. The Hokies have now lost three of their last four games after starting the season 2-1.
8. Louisville (2-4, 1-2 ACC)
The Cardinals were dominated by Florida State in the second half, getting outscored 35-14 en route to a 41-21 loss. The Cards will have matchup with another strong defense against the Boston College Eagles this coming weekend.
9. Syracuse (3-3, 1-1 ACC)
After starting the season 3-0 with an early conference win, the Orange has lost three straight games, including a triple overtime heartbreaker to Virginia this past weekend. If ‘Cuse wants to be taken seriously in the conference, it will need to have a strong showing against Pittsburgh this weekend.
10. Wake Forest (3-4, 1-3 ACC)
The Demon Deacons were thumped by the Tar Heels 50-14 Saturday in Chapel Hill. In games where the Deacs give up 10 or more points, they are now 1-3. Wake Forest will look to get its defense back on track when they host the Wolfpack this weekend.
11. NC State. (4-2, 0-2 ACC)
The Wolfpack had the week off after losing two straight conference games. A matchup with a Wake Forest team that just surrendered 50 points to the Tar Heels should help the defense and head coach Dave Doeren get back on track before a Halloween matchup with No. 5 Clemson.
12. Virginia (2-4, 1-1 ACC)
While it took triple overtime to do so, the Cavaliers earned their first conference win of the year when they defeated Syracuse Saturday. The Cavs will try and build off this win when they travel to Chapel Hill to take on the Tar Heels Oct. 24.
13. Boston College (3-4, 0-4 ACC)
After giving up 26 points in their last three games combined, the Eagles defense was finally overpowered by the Clemson offense, falling 34-17. Things only get tougher from here for the Eagles, as they take on a much-improved Louisville team Saturday.
14. Georgia Tech (2-5, 0-4 ACC)
The Yellow Jackets have had no answers for opponents during the last month, losing five straight games after starting 2-0. The losses have come against teams that are a combined 27-4 this year, and it looks to get much harder, as they host 6-0 Florida State next.
