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ACC power rankings – Week 5: Clemson stays on top, FSU is done

By David Austin Bumpus

CLEMSON, SC - SEPTEMBER 23: Cornerback Trayvon Mullen #1 of the Clemson Tigers celebrates an interception against the Boston College Eagles at Memorial Stadium on September 23, 2017 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Todd Bennett/Getty Images)
CLEMSON, SC - SEPTEMBER 23: Cornerback Trayvon Mullen #1 of the Clemson Tigers celebrates an interception against the Boston College Eagles at Memorial Stadium on September 23, 2017 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Todd Bennett/Getty Images) /
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BOISE, ID – SEPTEMBER 22: Running back Olamide Zaccheaus #4 of the Virginia Cavaliers scores a touchdown during second half action against the Boise State Broncos on September 22, 2017, at Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho. Virginia won the game 42-23. (Photo by Loren Orr/Getty Images)
BOISE, ID – SEPTEMBER 22: Running back Olamide Zaccheaus #4 of the Virginia Cavaliers scores a touchdown during second half action against the Boise State Broncos on September 22, 2017, at Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho. Virginia won the game 42-23. (Photo by Loren Orr/Getty Images) /
12

Virginia Cavaliers 3-1

Last week: Won 42-23 over Boise St.
Last rank: 14

Alright, alright, I caved. After weeks, four to be exact, of absolutely hammering Virginia in each edition of the power rankings, I feel like it’s finally time to show them some love and move them up from their nice, cozy home in the 14 spot.

Given how badly Boston College and Pittsburgh have been playing recently, combined with Virginia’s impressive 3-1 start that no one could have predicted at the start of the season, and it seems like the right time to make the move. Putting them at 12 may be a drastic decision after a victory over a team like Boise State, but the Cavaliers have shown enough to not be considered the worst team in the ACC for the time being.

11

Syracuse Orange 2-2

Last week: Lost 35-26 to LSU
Last rank: 11

Syracuse may not have the best record, but the Orange is a lot like the next team on the list for how good they look in their losses, specifically against some solid teams.

Syracuse fell to a ranked opponent in LSU on Saturday, which shouldn’t surprise anyone given the Orange’s status in the ACC this season, but they put up a serious fight in the process. The team lost by just nine points in a relatively close game, and look like they could do some serious damage if they were playing a team that better matched their caliber. Like the saying goes, pick on someone your own size, and LSU actually struggled to bully a team like Syracuse, justifying the Orange’s place in the ACC rankings.

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