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ACC Power Rankings 2016: Week 3

By Jason Parker

Sep 17, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Florida State Seminoles running back Dalvin Cook (4) tries to escape the tackle of Louisville Cardinals linebacker Stacy Thomas (32) during the second half at Papa John
Sep 17, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Florida State Seminoles running back Dalvin Cook (4) tries to escape the tackle of Louisville Cardinals linebacker Stacy Thomas (32) during the second half at Papa John /
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Sep 17, 2016; Stillwater, OK, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers running back James Conner (24) runs the ball as Oklahoma State Cowboys linebacker Chad Whitener (45) defends during the first quarter at Boone Pickens Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; Stillwater, OK, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers running back James Conner (24) runs the ball as Oklahoma State Cowboys linebacker Chad Whitener (45) defends during the first quarter at Boone Pickens Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports /

I want to give the Panthers more credit for going on the road and playing a hard fought game against a Big 12 opponent that was angry from being screwed out of a win last week. Still, a loss is a loss and must be punished.

While the offense went for over 530 yards (and it wasn’t all on the legs of running back James Conner), the defense gave up a disgusting 640 yards to the Cowboys. If the Panthers want to win the Coastal Division, that needs to be cleaned up ASAP.

The Tar Heels kick off a series of four teams that won their game this week, so we’ll go by level of competition. When you are down to FCS opponent James Madison and need a furious scoring run in the second and third quarters, you get moved back to the bottom of the group.

Keep an eye on Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky the rest of the season. He was nearly flawless in this game and looks like someone who might just be decent if he can stay consistent.

A slight step up goes the Wolfpack, who handled business against an Old Dominion team who – at this point – would probably kill to get into the ACC as a member. The men from Raleigh can be a weird team to figure out and could play the role of spoiler to some teams later.

The Wolfpack are one of those teams that could easily throw a monkey wrench in the plans of the entire Atlantic Division and can beat any of the three favorites on any given Saturday.

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