College Football Rankings Week 5: Virginia Tech Making a Move in ACC Power Poll

The ACC after 5 weeks is clearly establishing a pecking order now. Miami stands above the rest with a solid road win at Clemson. Florida State and Virginia Tech also picked up nice road wins at Virginia and NC State.

Don't overlook North Carolina. Despite all their off the field trouble they won a non-conference matchup with East Carolina in blow out fashion.

Finally the ACC has what it's wanted for years Miami and Florida St as the conference's two best teams.

Previous Rankings at All About Sports

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1) Miami Hurricanes 3-1 (1-0) Last Week - 1

Do you know what I think is scary about Miami? I don't think they are playing their best football, but yet they've won their last two road games against Pitt and Clemson by a combined score of 61 - 24. They beat Clemson 30-21 this past Saturday. Jacory Harris threw two more picks, and must cut that down.

Watch out if Miami ever puts it all together. A huge game with Florida State is Saturday night in prime time down in Miami.

2) Florida State Seminoles 4-1 (2-0) Last Week - 4

I know Florida State played horribly at Oklahoma, but other than that they've won every other game by at least 20 points. They beat Virginia 34-14 this weekend.

Another significant stat is the Noles are also doing it with defense. They are ranked #2 in the ACC and #21 in the nation in total defense. Florida State and Miami play their biggest game in years Saturday. They both come into game ranked in the top 25.

3) Virginia Tech Hokies  3-2 (2-0) Last Week - 6

Just when you thought this might be the year that Virginia Tech slips in the ACC, they promptly win 3 games in a row after a 0-2 start. They won at NC State 41-30 in a game that the Wolfpack were sky high for.

The Hokies rallied from down 17-0 to get the win. The Hokies are still a work in progress. The defense gave up over 500 yards of offense, but they 2-0 in the ACC and that's what counts. They get a breather with Central Michigan coming Blacksburg next.

4) North Carolina Tar Heels  2-2 (0-1) Last Week - 5

The Tar Heels won their 2nd game in row in when their offense exploded for 42 points against East Carolina. Is East Carolina an unofficial member of the ACC now? Both Shaun Draughn and Johnny White had over 100 yards rushing in the game.

The Heels are basically just 3 minutes of football from being 4-0, even with all the player losses. If North Carolina beats Clemson in Chapel Hill Saturday, they'll be right in the thick of the Coastal Division race.

5) NC State Wolfpack  4-1 (1-1) Last Week - 2

 

The Wolfpack squandered a 17-0, and 24-13 lead in losing to Virginia tech 41-30. Now the Wolfpack have to regroup after their 2nd half collapse. QB Russel Wilson threw for 362 yards, but the defense couldn't slow the Hokies on the ground. Virginia Tech had 317 yards rushing.

The get a struggling Boston College  team at home on Saturday. There's no reason to think (yet) that NC State can't be a major factor in the ACC Atlantic.

6) Clemson Tigers 2-2 (0-1) Last Week - 3

The Tigers were at home, with 2 weeks to prepare, playing a Miami team that brought their B-\C+ game and they lost 30-21 in a game that wasn't that close. Clemson played poorly especially on offense committing 6 turnovers. Kyle Parker looked like he was ready for baseball as he completed less than 50% of passes, and had 3 interceptions. The Wide Receivers again dropped several easy catches. That unit as a whole has been extremely disappointing.

 

They have an absolute must win at North Carolina next week.

7) Maryland Terrapins  4-1 (1-0) Last Week - 7

Maryland hasn't always been impressive this season, but they are 4-1. They had a tough time with Duke, but won 21-16. It's hard to get a feel a Terp team that's ranked in the bottom half of the ACC in offense and defense, but 4-1 is 4-1.

They are on BYE next week before facing Clemson in a critical Atlantic Division game.

8) Joshua Nesbitts 3-2 (2-1) Last Week - 8

Joshua Nesbitt single handily bailed out Georgia Tech in what would have been a disastrous loss to Wake Forest. Nesbitt led to Georgia Tech 18 Fourth Quarter points and a last second TD score as the Jackets beat the Deacs 24-20.

The defense actually showed a pulse, but it took playing Wake's fourth string QB to have that happen. The offensive line is playing poorly and needs to decide whether they want to block more than half a dozen plays a game. Next Saturday is a matchup with Virginia in Atlanta.

9) Virginia Cavaliers  2-2 (0-1) Last Week - 9

The Cavaliers are improving but they were no match for Florida State Saturday. QB Marc Verica was just 4 for 15 in the first half. The offense only gained 25 yards on the ground, and the Cavs didn't display the physical nature that they've showed at times this year.

They head to Atlanta Saturday to play Georgia Tech. The Jackets are beatable and a win would give Virginia's bowl hopes a big boost.

10) Boston College Eagles 2-2 (0-1) Last Week - 10

Boston College's offense is a mess. It's dead freaking last in the ACC. the Eagles did not play well in 31-13 loss to a mediocre Notre Dame team. The offense had only had 270 yards and just 5 yards on the ground. That should be a good carry for RB Montel Harris.

The time is getting real close to hitting the panic button at Boston College especially with games at NC State and Florida State the next 2 weeks.

11) Wake Forest Demon Deacons 2-3 (1-2) Last Week - 11

It was a tough loss 24-20 for Wake Forest against Georgia Tech. Despite being down to their 4th string QB Skylar Jones the Deacs played inspired and better than the Jackets for 3 quarters. They defense finally wore down and was unable to stop a Joshua Nesbitt rally.

The Deacs step out of conference to play Navy Saturday. The defense played well in slowing Tech's triple option, and that's a good sign heading in to play Navy's option attack.

12) Duke Blue Devils  1-4 (0-2) Last Week - 12

The Blue Devils fought hard at Maryland, but went down 21-16 at Maryland. Duke's defense that has struggled this year, held Maryland to under 300 total yards.

Duke gets 2 weeks to prepare for a game with the Miami Hurricanes.