ACC (Lack Of) Power Poll Week 2: The ACC Embarrasses Itself

Well, that was ugly wasn't it? I can't remember a worse week for the ACC.

They failed against FCS schools (I'm talking to you, Virginia Tech).

They lost to teams that hadn't won in nearly a year. Georgia Tech, thanks for nothing. 

They also lost in blowout fashion in one of their bigger non-conference games of the year.

Oklahoma got the subs in early against Florida State; Miami never really looked like they could beat the No. 2-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes, but in fairness to them, they at least made it competitive.

Frankly, no ACC team has proven itself worthy of the number one ranking, and so that's how it's going to be this week

Previous All About Sports ACC Power Poll Rankings

Preseason | Week 1

2-T) Miami Hurricanes 1-1 (0-0) Last Week - 4

 

How does a team that loses 36-24 move up two spots? That happens when you actually play decently against the Ohio State Buckeyes on the road.

Let's not kid ourselves though: Miami has issues, but I'm willing to give them a little slack.

Jacory Harris doesn't look like he's move beyond his interception problems. He threw four against the Buckeyes and the wide receivers dropped several passes. At least the Canes didn't embarrass themselves, which is more than I can say about some other teams on this list.

 

2-T) Clemson Tigers 2-0 (0-0) Last Week - 6

The Tigers came out and took care of business against Presbyterian 58-21.

That's saying something in the ACC, no matter whom you are playing. Kyle Parker was sharper going 6 for 9 and 2 touchdowns. The subs got plenty of time in and the Tigers coasted.

Where are the Tigers at really? We'll find out when they head to Auburn next week on the 18th. If they stay within a touchdown you could argue they are the ACC's best team.

Seriously...

 

3) North Carolina Tar Heels 0-1 (0-0) Last Week - 5

The Heels didn't lose this week. They only had their on going NCAA investigation to deal with. That's an off the field black eye as opposed to the on the field ones.

T.J. Yates has to be licking his chops getting ready to face that porous Georgia Tech defense.

4) Maryland Terrapins 2-0 (0-0) Last Week - 10

Is Maryland really the fourth-best team in the ACC? I don't know, but what I do know is they have the conference's best non-conference win over Navy and then blew out Morgan St 62-3

The defense has only given up 17 points in two games. This is a underrated team defensively that might be able to push West Virginia next weekend.

5) Florida State Seminoles 1-1 (0-0) Last Week - 2

Noles fans wanted so badly for FSU to make a statement against Oklahoma. They did and the statement was "we still play some of the worst defense in college football."

The final score was 47-17 and it wasn't that close.

Jimbo Fisher just found how big a project he has on his hand to return the Noles back to the nation's elite. They can still win the ACC though, because no one in the ACC is near caliber of the Sooners. 

6) Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 1-1 (0-0) Last Week - 1

I didn't like what I saw out of Georgia Tech at all.

The defense and special teams were horrid, and the offense was OK but nothing special.

The Jackets just never looked ready to play Kansas and it showed in the 28-25 loss.

Joshua Nesbitt can't do it alone—other players on both sides of the ball need to step up. 

Paul Johnson has to be fuming over this effort. They get North Carolina next week. We don't know who will the Tar Heels will suit up, but if Georgia Tech plays like they did against Kansas, they'll lose.

7) Boston College Eagles 2-0 (0-0) Last Week - 7

I'm still not sure about the Eagles. They did beat beat Kent State 26-13, but it wasn't exactly a spectacular win.

The offense only had only 305 yards of offense and star RB Montel Harris was held to 80 yards rushing. The offense is going to have to step it up as the opponents get better.

They have two weeks to prepare for a reeling Virginia Tech Hokie team.

8) Wake Forest Demon Deacons 2-0 (1-0) Last Week - 9

Say hello to your ACC first place team, after Wake Forest had a shootout win 54-48 win over Duke.

Wake Forest has scored more than 50 in both of their games. Chris Givens had 159 yards receiving and QB Ted Stachitas had another solid outing, with 190 yards in the air and 77 on the ground.

The Demon Deacons step out of conference to Stanford in what looks like a pretty good matchup. Win there and the Deacs will zoom up these rankings.

9) Virginia Tech Hokies 0-2 (0-0) Last Week - 3

Give me a reason why Virginia Tech should be higher? I'm going to admit I was duped.

I thought Hokies had one of the nation's best backfields. I thought Bud Foster could rebuild the defense. I thought the 2010 Hokies could be a darkhorse national title contender. I was really wrong about that!

I still think the Hokies have the athletes to be a top 20 team, but they lack heart and a leader right now. You just don't lose to James Madison at home, ever.

They play East Carolina next Saturday in a game that could send Virginia Tech to 0-3 if the Hokies go in with the same effort as this week.

10) NC State Wolfpack 2-0 (0-0) Last Week - 10

The Wolfpack stepped out of conference and won! They won against a Division 1 opponent, and it was on the road!

They beat Central Florida 28-21 down in Orlando, in a game Russell Wilson was only 10-30 on 105 yards passing. I'm looking at NC State like Wake Forest. I want to wait another week before I'm convinced the Pack are really one of the better teams in the ACC.

They Pack have to be happy with their start. They get Cincinnati in Raleigh on Thursday night.

11) Virginia Cavaliers 1-1 (0-0) Last Week - 12

It was only one game, but what I saw out of the Cavaliers against USC in the 17-14 loss impressed me.

They showed a physical style of football that in general is lacking in the ACC. The defense did a good job and held the Trojans to 329 total yards. QB Marc Verica had his moments, but threw an interception in the endzone that might have the been difference the in the game.

They have two weeks to prepare for VMI.

12) Duke Blue Devils 1-1 (0-1) Last Week - 11

The Blue Devils came up on the short end of a wild one with Wake Forest 48-54.

How's this for stat line for Duke QB Sean Renfree: 28 out of 44 for 358 yards and three touchdowns. The Blue Devils had 487 of offense, but gave up 500.

The Blue Devils' offense looks good, but the defense gives up a ton of points and yards. Alabama might go for 100 points next week when they hookup, but what if the Blue Devils you know, win it?

Dare to dream Duke fans!