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ACC power rankings: Notre Dame gives Syracuse reality check, Pitt continues to impress

By Rucker Haringey

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 17: Chase Claypool #83 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates a touchdown as against the Syracuse Orange during their game at Yankee Stadium on November 17, 2018 in New York, New York. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 17: Chase Claypool #83 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates a touchdown as against the Syracuse Orange during their game at Yankee Stadium on November 17, 2018 in New York, New York. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images) /
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BLACKSBURG, VA – NOVEMBER 17: Miami Hurricanes Running Back Cam’Ron Davis (23) runs the ball in for a touchdown during the second half of the Miami Hurricanes versus the Virginia Tech Hokies game on November 17, 2018, at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, VA. (Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BLACKSBURG, VA – NOVEMBER 17: Miami Hurricanes Running Back Cam’Ron Davis (23) runs the ball in for a touchdown during the second half of the Miami Hurricanes versus the Virginia Tech Hokies game on November 17, 2018, at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, VA. (Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

The win at Virginia Tech was the ideal blueprint for success for this year’s Miami squad. Their defense swarmed all over the Hokies offense and forced three turnovers. That put the offense in great positions to succeed all afternoon. N’Kosi Perry and company didn’t produce a ton of explosive plays, but they were pretty efficient. He threw for 171 yards on 34 attempts with two touchdowns. More importantly, he didn’t turn the football over. Add it all up and it was a solid ACC win for Miami.

David Cutcliffe came out with a really solid game plan that allowed the Blue Devils to end the first quarter with a 6-0 win at Clemson. Unfortunately, talent won out as the game progressed. Duke simply didn’t have an answer for the Tigers’ star-studded defense. This was not a game that Daniel Jones will enjoy showing NFL scouts. He struggled to deal with a ton of pressure from the Tigers’ front. His final stat line of 24 for 43 for 158 yards isn’t going to do much for his draft status. It won’t cause it to plummet either. Jones didn’t have many chances to produce plays in Death Valley.

Pat Narduzzi’s team struggled for a half of football in Winston-Salem, but their talent won out in the end. As such, the Panthers have a date with Clemson in the ACC title game. Kenny Pickett really made the difference in this one. The Panthers’ usually proficient run game was held in check, but he torched the Demon Deacons’ secondary. Anytime he goes 22 for 30 for 316 yards and three touchdowns the Panthers are going to be really difficult to beat.

Boston College tried to rely on A.J. Dillon to win this game, but the way he limped around the field was pretty indicative of how his offense looked. They handed him the ball an astounding 37 times, but he only was able to produce 116 yards against Florida State’s physical front. With Dillon shackled, the ball game came down to Anthony Brown’s ability to produce explosive plays through the air. He came up short for his team. He threw for 297 yards and a touchdown, but he only completed 50% of his passes and tossed two costly interceptions. Brown cost the Eagles a big win in Tallahassee.

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