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College football conference power rankings: Week 4 – Pac-12 plummets

By Nathaniel Reeves

LOUISVILLE, KY - SEPTEMBER 16: Clemson Tigers players celebrate after the game against the Louisville Cardinals at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium on September 16, 2017 in Louisville, Kentucky. Clemson won 47-21. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KY - SEPTEMBER 16: Clemson Tigers players celebrate after the game against the Louisville Cardinals at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium on September 16, 2017 in Louisville, Kentucky. Clemson won 47-21. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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LOUISVILLE, KY – SEPTEMBER 16: Kelly Bryant #2 of the Clemson Tigers celebrates after rushing for an eight-yard touchdown in the first quarter of a game against the Louisville Cardinals at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium on September 16, 2017 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KY – SEPTEMBER 16: Kelly Bryant #2 of the Clemson Tigers celebrates after rushing for an eight-yard touchdown in the first quarter of a game against the Louisville Cardinals at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium on September 16, 2017 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

2. ACC

With No. 2 Clemson continuing to dominate and a smattering of other talented teams in the conference, the ACC is widening the gap to No. 3 and challenging the Big Ten for the top spot.

There’s no doubt Clemson has the best defense in the nation after week three, as the Tigers were able to effectively limit Lamar Jackson in an easy 47-21 win over Louisville. In even better news, quarterback Kelly Bryant looked really good in his first career road start, and Clemson could be headed for its third straight national title date against Alabama if the junior continues to play at this level.

Virginia Tech looked to be in trouble early against lowly East Carolina but reeled off 54 straight points after the first quarter for an easy victory. The ACC’s two other 3-0 teams are surprising Duke and Wake Forest, who both picked up double-digit wins and are in good shape to at least reach a bowl, if not more.

Florida State and Miami are among the nation’s most talented rosters and are both ranked in the top 14, but their marquee matchup was pushed back to Oct. 7 due to Hurricane Irma. Georgia Tech will also inevitably ruin somebody’s season, but the Yellow Jackets’ game against UCF was canceled this week.

Virginia beat UConn to match last season’s win total for whatever that’s worth, while NC State moved to 2-1 and might be able to put a scare in a few teams. The only real disappointing ACC team so far is Pittsburgh, which appears to be regressing in the third year of the Pat Narduzzi era.

There won’t be many gimmies for any team in ACC play, and the conference’s depth far exceeds that of the Pac-12, SEC or Big 12. There are no ranked matchups in the ACC next week, with the best game likely coming between NC State and Florida State.

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