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College football conference power rankings: Week 3

By Nathaniel Reeves

COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 09: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Oklahoma Sooners (C) celebrates with teammates after defeating the Ohio State Buckeyes 31-16 at Ohio Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 09: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Oklahoma Sooners (C) celebrates with teammates after defeating the Ohio State Buckeyes 31-16 at Ohio Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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CLEMSON, SC – SEPTEMBER 09: Defensive end Austin Bryant #7, defensive end Clelin Ferrell #99, and defensive lineman Christian Wilkins #42 of the Clemson Tigers celebrate following a sack made by Bryant against the Auburn Tigers at Memorial Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images)
CLEMSON, SC – SEPTEMBER 09: Defensive end Austin Bryant #7, defensive end Clelin Ferrell #99, and defensive lineman Christian Wilkins #42 of the Clemson Tigers celebrate following a sack made by Bryant against the Auburn Tigers at Memorial Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images) /

2. ACC

Even with a shaky offense, the Clemson Tigers proved themselves capable of making a second straight run to the national title with Saturday’s victory over Auburn.

Clemson’s defensive line might just be unstoppable, as even the experienced Auburn offensive line couldn’t block the intimidating collection of Christian Wilkins, Clelin Ferrell, Austin Bryant and Dexter Lawrence. Quarterback Kelly Bryant only led Clemson to 284 yards of total offense, but his dual-threat ability might just be enough for the Tigers to begin the table.

The Florida State Seminoles were unable to begin life without Deondre Francois, as Saturday’s game against Louisiana Monroe was cancelled due to Hurricane Irma. Lamar Jackson reminded everyone why he’s the best player in college football with a highlight-reel performance against the North Carolina Tar Heels, and the Louisville Cardinals will now have a chance to make a statement in Saturday’s primetime game against Clemson.

Perhaps the most underrated victory of the week belonged to the Duke Blue Devils, who laid a 41-17 beatdown on a Northwestern Wildcats squad that entered the year with high expectations. The Virginia Cavaliers and Syracuse Orange both suffered bad losses while the Pittsburgh Panthers were unable to keep up with the Penn State Nittany Lions, but the ACC’s bottom tier is still a step ahead of the rest of the Power Five.

With Clemson’s defensive dominance and four other ranked teams lurking in the top 20, the ACC has surpassed the SEC and is on the verge of taking over the top spot in week three.

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