<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0n7J8u_0vhgXtfF00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0n7J8u_0vhgXtfF00" width="1210" height="806" ></figure><p>The ACC had a solid Week 4. The Miami Hurricanes stomped USF on the road, Florida State finally got a win, Clemson looked great at home vs NC State, Boston College got another solid win over Michigan State, Duke and Pitt are undefeated in non-conference games, and Virginia finally won on the road. Nice.</p><p>Without further ado, let’s get to the rankings.</p><h2>1. Miami - 4-0 overall, 0-0 conference</h2><p>The Canes dominated USF in the second half to secure the 50-15 win over one of their in-state rivals. Miami is 4-0 entering conference play for the second season in a row. This year feels different though. Cam Ward is obviously the main reason why. Beyond him, this year’s roster is deeper and more talented. From Damian Martinez, Sam Brown, Elija Lofton, healthy Elijah Arroyo, and the improvement of Isaiah Horton on offense, to Tyler Baron, Simeon Barrow, Meesh Powell, and OJ Frederique on defense. The 2024 Miami Hurricanes are loaded and are definitely the favorites to win the ACC.</p><div style="position:relative;width:100%; height:0; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MHzO_MGNdeg?rel=0" allowfullscreen frameborder="0" style="width:100%; height:100%;top:0; left:0; position:absolute"></iframe></div><h2>2. Louisville - 3-0, 1-0</h2><p>The Cardinals got their first conference win last Saturday, beating a tough Georgia Tech team at home, 31-19. Louisville held the Yellow Jackets to only 5 second half points, made one huge play on offense, and returned a blocked field goal for a touchdown. The Cardinals travel to #16 Notre Dame next weekend. If they pull off that win, they’ll have a case for #1 in next week’s rankings. I know they won’t be scared of Notre Dame or the environment. I think they can pull off the huge road win.</p><h2>3. Clemson - 2-1, 1-0</h2><p>The Tigers just scored again on NC State. That game was crazy. Crazy in that it was over after the first quarter. Clemson players were running wide open down the field so often it looked like they weren’t playing against anyone. Having said all that, NC State just might be bad this season. I’m very interested to watch Clemson play at Florida State in a couple weeks. As underwhelming as FSU has been so far this season, I think that will be a good barometer for the Tigers.</p><h2>4. Boston College - 3-1, 1-0</h2><p>Is this too high of a spot for BC? Maybe, but I really think I would pick them on a neutral-site field over any team ranked below. Bill O’Brien’s squad earned a close win over up-and-coming Michigan State last Saturday. After their home game against Western Kentucky next week, they resume ACC play with games at Virginia and at Virginia Tech. If the Eagles can pull off those two road wins, the Oct. 25th Friday night home matchup vs Louisville will be one of their biggest games in years.</p><div style="position:relative;width:100%; height:0; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AJjH7Ff_1Lo?rel=0" allowfullscreen frameborder="0" style="width:100%; height:100%;top:0; left:0; position:absolute"></iframe></div><h2>5. Duke - 4-0, 0-0</h2><p>The Blue Devils used a big first quarter for a decisive road win against Middle Tennessee State last Saturday. Manny Diaz’s squad still gave up 168 rushing yards on 40 attempts. Not ideal. Their lack of rushing defense might not matter with how UNC’s defense looked against James Madison on Saturday. Duke vs North Carolina might be a shootout. I wouldn’t have guessed that a recently as a week ago.</p><h2>6. Pittsburgh - 4-0, 0-0</h2><p>The Panthers didn’t have to pull off a fourth quarter comeback against Youngstown State last Saturday, winning 73-17. Pitt goes into their bye week feeling confident, as they should. Their first five conference games are very winnable, before playing Clemson and Louisville in back-to-back weeks in November.</p><h2>7. Virginia - 3-1, 1-0</h2><p>The Cavaliers got a road win! Woo! It was against Coastal Carolina, but still. Virginia has a bye this Saturday, then host BC, Louisville, travel to Clemson and UNC before their second bye week. The Cavaliers better get the most of out of this first bye week with the upcoming slate. Still, it’s nice to see the Wahoos be competitive again.</p><h2>8. SMU - 3-1, 0-0</h2><p>The Mustangs hung 66 points on TCU last Saturday as a home underdog. I guess Rhett Lashlee figured it would be smart to lean on their strong running game. Former Miami Hurricane Brashard Smith ran the ball 18 times for 127 yards and 3 touchdowns. Plus, he caught two passes for 24 yards and another touchdown. Four TDs?! Damn. I love it for Smith. That dude is fast as hell and has some moves. Coach Lashlee needed his offense to gain some confidence with FSU coming to town this Saturday.</p><h2>9. Georgia Tech - 3-2, 1-2</h2><p>The Yellow Jackets lost to Louisville last Saturday after their first of three bye weeks. Are bye weeks valuable? I guess it depends on the team. Miami seemed to always lose after their bye weeks the last few seasons. I say this because Tech has another bye week this Saturday. That is an odd schedule to play one game in three weeks. Their next three games are vs Duke, at UNC, and vs Notre Dame. We’ll see if the Yellow Jackets can regain their 2023 form in the next few Saturdays.</p><h2>10. Florida State - 1-3, 1-2</h2><p>Did I moved FSU up too much? Maybe. Is it a reverse jinx? No comment. The Seminoles gutted out their first conference win at home against Cal last Saturday. I didn’t watch the game because I don’t hate myself. With a final score of 14-9, I don’t regret my decision. I did see DJU’s pass for FSU’s second touchdown that put them up for good. It was an incredible throw. It’s got to be frustrating watching him play knowing he is capable of making those kind of throws.</p><h2>11. Stanford - 2-1, 1-0</h2><p>I did not see Stanford’s win at Syracuse coming. Between the travel and how good Kyle McCord looked as the Orange’s quarterback, I thought the Cardinal would have to wait to earn their first ACC win. Nope. They gutted out a nice road win with a spirited defensive effort, while making just enough plays on offense. Stanford might just be better than I thought. </p><div style="position:relative;width:100%; height:0; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iWOpXoyWGPU?rel=0" allowfullscreen frameborder="0" style="width:100%; height:100%;top:0; left:0; position:absolute"></iframe></div><h2>12. Syracuse - 2-1, 1-1</h2><p>The Orange have a “get right game” this weekend vs Holy Cross. After that, they are at UNLV, at NC State, bye week, then at Pittsburgh. Three road games in a row is tough, no matter who you are. We’ll see if Kyle McCord can bounce back and keep his team competitive in the ACC standings. With how NC State’s defense has looked this season, the two toughest matchups should be at UNLV and at Pitt. Syracuse will know what they are made of by the end of October.</p><h2>13. Cal - 3-1, 0-1</h2><p>Ah, so close! The Golden Bears had a 9-7 fourth quarter lead at Florida State last Saturday. Sadly, Cal couldn’t hold on. The Seminoles’ offense is nothing special this season, but it is still impressive to hold them to 14 points at home. Cal’s defense is a good unit. With the game against Miami starting at 10:30 EST, I could see a first half defensive struggle for the Canes out west.</p><h2>14. UNC - 3-1, 0-0</h2><p>This was another game I was completely wrong about. JMU came into Chapel Hill and hung 70 on the Tar Heels. UNC was so shook after the game, head coach Mack Brown joked about retiring. Sheesh. It doesn’t get any easier for his squad, as they play at Duke, vs Pitt, then vs Georgia Tech before their bye week. Coach Brown better get his defense turned around, or this season could get ugly.</p><h2>15. Virginia Tech - 2-2, 0-0</h2><p>The Hokies lost to the two Power 4 teams they’ve played this season in Vanderbilt and Rutgers. Yikes. I can safely assume Va Tech fans were not expecting to lose those matchups before the season. They probably thought they would be undefeated heading into their contest with Miami this Friday night. Oh well. Having said all that, I know they will be fired up coming into Hard Rock Stadium for a primetime matchup. Can’t wait for this Friday!</p><h2>16. NC State - 2-2, 0-1</h2><p>The Wolfpack have been blown out twice this season. They came against Tennessee and Clemson, both very good teams. Still, to be so uncompetitive has to be concerning for coach Dave Doeren. NC State was definitely expecting a better 2024 season through four games. With three home games in a row against Northern Illinois, Wake Forest, and Syracuse, the Wolfpack have a chance to build some momentum and start their climb up the ACC standings.</p><h2>17. Wake Forest - 1-2, 0-1</h2><p>The Demon Deacons are coming off a much-needed bye week. They are only slight favorites against Louisiana this weekend. I really don’t have much else to say about Wake. I’m mostly interested to see what their record will be before they come to Hard Rock Stadium for Miami’s regular season home finale.</p></div></body>

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ACC Power Rankings: Week 5

1. Miami - 4-0 overall, 0-0 conference. The Canes dominated USF in the second half to secure the 50-15 win over one of their in-state rivals. Miami is 4-0 entering conference play for the second season in a row. This year feels different though. Cam Ward is obviously the main reason why. Beyond him, this year’s roster is deeper and more talented. From Damian Martinez, Sam Brown, Elija Lofton, healthy Elijah Arroyo, and the improvement of Isaiah Horton on offense, to Tyler Baron, Simeon Barrow, Meesh Powell, and OJ Frederique on defense. The 2024 Miami Hurricanes are loaded and are definitely the favorites to win the ACC.