With the top three teams in the Atlantic Coast Conference having open dates last week, there wasn’t much movement in the latest league power rankings, at least among the upper echelon. Surprising upsets by Pittsburgh, Virginia Tech and Louisville created some movement below -- particularly for Pittsburgh, which suddenly appears to be a contender again in the league’s Coastal Division after winning three straight games by a combined seven points.
1. Clemson (5-0, 3-0 ACC) Last week: 1
The reigning national champs have a couple of impressive streaks they’d like to continue this week against Atlantic Division rival Florida State. Clemson has won 20 consecutive games, which is the nation’s longest active winning streak, and has defeated the Seminoles for four consecutive seasons, becoming the first ACC team to do that. Expect both streaks to continue as the Tigers return to action following an open date.
Up next: Saturday vs. Florida State, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC.
2. Wake Forest (5-0, 1-0) Last week: 2
Are Wake Forest and Clemson headed for an Atlantic Division showdown in mid-November? Could be. The Demon Deacons get three of their next four opponents at home, and those four are a combined 4-5 in ACC play.
Up next: Saturday vs. Louisville, 7:30 p.m., ACC Network.
3. Virginia (4-1, 2-0) Last week: 3
Virginia is bidding to become the seventh different Coastal Division champion in as many years. The Cavaliers will take another big step toward that goal with a win at Miami.
Up next: Friday at Miami (Fla.), 8 p.m., ESPN.
4. North Carolina (3-3, 2-1) Last week: 4
North Carolina’s rebirth under Mack Brown continued last week with a win at Georgia Tech that ended plenty of futility in Atlanta; the Tar Heels had lost in nine of their past 10 trips to Bobby Dodd Stadium. Rookie QB Sam Howell continued his progression by passing for a career-high 376 yards with four touchdowns.
Up next: Oct. 19 at Virginia Tech.
5. Florida State (3-2, 2-1) Last week: 7
Don’t look now, but the Seminoles have won three of four and get a shot at No. 2 Clemson this week. Florida State has lost four in a row against Clemson, but this year’s edition appears to be better equipped than the 2018 team that was shelled 59-10 by the Tigers.
Up next: Saturday at No. 1 Clemson, 3:30 p.m., ABC
6. Pittsburgh (4-2, 1-1) Last week: 8
Just when one assumes that the Panthers are dead and buried, they come to life with an unexpected victory. The latest came last week at Duke, where Pitt blew a 23-point lead, then scored the winning touchdown with 38 seconds left to top the Blue Devils for the fifth consecutive time. Even better news for Coach Pat Narduzzi’s team? None of the Panthers’ six remaining opponents are better than 3-2.
Up next: Oct. 18 at Syracuse.
