Ranking the ACC After Week Three of College Football Action

1. Wake Forest (2-0, 0-0)—Last week: 1

The Deacons return to the site of the ACC's most shocking result of the past decade, a 30-0 pasting of Florida State at Doak Cambell. It won't happen again, but if the Deacs win they become the early favorites to win the ACC's Atlantic Division.

 

2. Florida State (2-0, 0-0)—Last week: 3

The 'Noles have outscored their first two opponents by a 115-7 margin. That was against Western Carolina and Chattanooga. If FSU is ready to start a return to its glory days, it has to beat Wake Forest next week.

 

3. Clemson (2-1, 1-0)—Last week: 4

Lackluster performance against a bad NC State team that hasn't scored an offensive touchdown in its last three games against Division 1 opponents. This team isn't hitting on all cylinders. Next game is against SC State, so there's still time to work out the kinks. CJ Spiller has come out of the gates strong this year, though. 

 

4. Virginia Tech (2-1, 1-0)—Last week: 7

In a game they had to have, the Hokies held off Georgia Tech, 20-17, with the aid of some questionable fourth-quarter flags. Nonetheless, the Hokies have found a quarterback in Tyrod Taylor, who can make plays with his feet. Sean Glennon might as well find a nice place to sit on the bench the rest of the season. Expect the Hokies to keep improving.

 

5. Georgia Tech (2-1, 1-1)—Last week: 2

A game effort in Blacksburg, but a loss is a loss. The Jackets outplayed Va. Tech for most of the game, and their front four on defense dominated again, but three turnovers and a missed extra point means you don't win at Virginia Tech. Ball security is starting to become a real issue, as the "learning the offense" excuse won't hold up much longer.

That said, this team is much better than expected. Look for a win against a tough, but offensively challenged Mississippi State team, and a 5-1 start over the next few weeks with a showdown at Clemson looming.

 

6. UNC (2-0, 0-0)—Last week: 8

The visiting Heels easily handled Rutgers. Anyone else think Greg Schiano should have left sometime in the last two years? Anyway, that was a pretty impressive performance, and Brandon Tate looks like the ACC's most dangerous player. The game with Va. Tech next week looks very interesting now.

 

7. Miami (1-1, 0-0)—Last week: 5

The 'Canes didn't do anything wrong, but got leapfrogged by a couple of teams with some nice wins.

 

8. Maryland (2-1, 0-0)—Last week: 11

Left for dead, the Terps came up with a stunning victory over the Cal Bears. Raise your hand if you saw that coming, because I didn't. What a gut-check victory for Maryland, because this season was about to head south.

 

9. Boston College (1-1, 0-1)—Last week: 6

See Miami...BC will have plenty of chances to move up. At this point, not much separates teams 3-9.

 

10. Duke (2-1, 0-0)—Last week: 9

Seems weird to move Duke down after a win over Navy, but I just don't see them as better than any of the other nine teams in front of them. Don't sleep on the Dukies, though—they are getting better, and learning how to win with each victory.

 

11. NC State (1-2, 0-1)—Last week: 12

Too bad they don't play Virginia in an ACC clash of the cupcakes this year. Might be November before they score an offensive touchdown against a Division 1 team, when they play Duke. I'd still take Duke by seven in that one. Their offense is horrendous. At least they showed an ounce of life this week unlike the team at the bottom of this list.

 

12. UVA (1-2, 0-0)—Last week: 10

Losing, 45-10, to Connecticut? Huh? This is football, not basketball, and that wasn't the USC Trojans they were playing, either. Hey, UConn has a decent program, but no way should the Cavs be getting rolled like that. Al Groh might want to keep his resume handy, becuase last year's nine-win team was a fluke.