ACC Power Rankings Week 13: SMU, Miami Battle for Supremacy

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Just a few weeks ago, the race for the Atlantic Coast Conference seemed all but settled when the Louisville Cardinals (6-4, 4-3 ACC) earned a shocking victory over the No. 17 Clemson Tigers (8-2, 7-1). The No. 8 Miami Hurricanes (9-1, 5-1) and No. 13 SMU Mustangs (9-1, 6-0) were the last two undefeated teams in the conference and seemed destined to meet in a pivotal ACC Championship matchup.

But, as college football fans well know, chaos can strike at any moment. In Week 11, the Hurricanes suffered a stunning defeat to an injury-stricken Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (6-4, 4-3) team. In Week 12, the Mustangs narrowly escaped disaster by outlasting a reeling Boston College Eagles (5-5, 2-4) team. Suddenly, a race that seemed so secure just a few weeks before was utterly unpredictable.

The last few weeks have taught even the strongest contenders that there are no certainties in college football. With just two weeks remaining in the regular season, fans can only hope that the chaos and drama of a wild 2024 season continue to unfold.

Here are the Week 13 ACC Power Rankings as voted on by the College Football Dawgs staff.

1. SMU Mustangs (9-1, 6-0)

Previous Ranking: 2

While the high-powered No. 13 Mustangs' offense was clicking as usual against Boston College, the SMU defense continued to be a weakness. The rushing defense, in particular, was a problem. It allowed the Eagles' ground attack to control the clock with 209 non-sack yards on 40 carries. When they were needed it most, however, the Mustangs' defense stepped up. It stopped Boston College on fourth down twice in the fourth quarter for a 38-28 victory. Quarterback Kevin Jennings continued his electric form, throwing for 298 yards and 3 touchdowns while running back Brashard Smith added 120 yards and a TD on the ground.

Upcoming game: at Virginia (5-5, 3-3)

2. Miami Hurricanes (9-1, 5-1)

Previous Ranking: 1

The No. 8 Hurricanes got a much-needed bye to reset after their disappointing loss to Georgia Tech. Once again, the defense will remain at the center of attention when focusing on how this Miami team can improve. The Hurricanes knew coming in to their game against the Yellow Jackets that the Georgia Tech offense would rely heavily on the rushing attack. The Miami defense was still helpless to stop it. Georgia Tech piled up 271 yards on 48 carries to control the tempo of the game. Miami still controls its own destiny in the race for the ACC title game, but they cannot afford another slip-up like this one.

Upcoming game: Wake Forest (4-6, 2-4)

3. Clemson Tigers (8-2, 7-1)

Previous Ranking: 5

The No. 17 Tigers' concerning offensive struggles continued in their pivotal game against the Pitt Panthers (7-3, 3-3). The offense could muster just 17 points in three quarters, allowing the Panthers to hang around and eventually take a 20-17 lead late in the fourth quarter. That happened despite a strong overall showing from the Tigers' defense. Then, in one of the defining moments of Clemson's season, quarterback Cade Klubnik stepped up. Klubnik took off for a 50-yard TD run with just over a minute left in the game to give the Tigers a 24-20 win and keep their slim hopes of an ACC Championship berth alive.

Upcoming game: The Citadel (5-6)

4. Louisville Cardinals (6-4, 4-3)

Previous Ranking: 4

Just weeks after a statement victory over Clemson in Death Valley, the Cardinals dropped one of the most shocking games of the season. Leading the Stanford Cardinal (3-7, 2-5) 35-21 late in the fourth quarter, Louisville completely relaxed on defense and allowed Stanford to tie the game at 35 with under a minute remaining. Then, as a result of poor coaching decisions and sloppy penalties from the Louisville defense, Stanford managed to kick a 52-yard field goal for a 38-35 victory that put a significant damper on what had been a promising season for Louisville.

Upcoming game: Pitt (7-3, 3-3)

5. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (6-4, 4-3)

Previous Ranking: 6

After a momentous triumph over Miami, the Yellow Jackets got a bye to heal up and refocus for their final stretch of the season. If quarterback Haynes King and running back Jamal Haynes can return to full health, then Georgia Tech could present a dangerous Nov. 29 matchup for a No. 10 Georgia Bulldogs (8-2, 6-2 Southeastern Conference) team with College Football Playoff aspirations.

Upcoming game: NC State (5-5, 2-4)

ACC Power Rankings: Nos. 6-17

6. Syracuse Orange (7-3, 4-3)

Previous Ranking: 7

Last game: 33-25 win over Cal (5-5, 1-5)

Upcoming game: UConn (7-3)

7. Pitt Panthers (7-3, 3-3)

Previous Ranking: 3

Last game: 24-20 loss to No. 17 Clemson (8-2, 7-1)

Upcoming game: at Louisville (6-4, 4-3)

8. Duke Blue Devils (7-3, 3-3)

Previous Ranking: 9

Last game: Bye

Upcoming game: Virginia Tech (5-5, 3-3)

9. North Carolina Tar Heels (6-4, 3-3)

Previous Ranking: 12

Last game: 31-24 win over Wake Forest (4-6, 2-4)

Upcoming game: at Boston College (5-5, 2-4)

10. Virginia Cavaliers (5-5, 3-3)

Previous Ranking: 11

Last game: 35-14 loss to No. 6 Notre Dame (9-1)

Upcoming game: No. 13 SMU (9-1, 6-0)

11. Virginia Tech Hokies (5-5, 3-3)

Previous Ranking: 10

Last game: Bye

Upcoming game: at Duke (7-3, 3-3)

12. Boston College Eagles (5-5, 2-4)

Previous Ranking: 8

Last game: 38-28 loss to No. 13 SMU (9-1, 6-0)

Upcoming game: North Carolina (6-4, 3-3)

13. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (4-6, 2-4)

Previous Ranking: 14

Last game: 31-24 loss to North Carolina (6-4, 3-3)

Upcoming game: at No. 8 Miami (9-1, 5-1)

14. NC State Wolfpack (5-5, 2-4)

Previous Ranking: 13

Last game: Bye

Upcoming game: at Georgia Tech (6-4, 4-3)

15. Stanford Cardinal (3-7, 2-5)

Previous Ranking: 16

Last game: 38-35 win over Louisville (6-4, 4-3)

Upcoming game: at Cal (5-5, 1-5)

16. Cal Golden Bears (5-5, 1-5)

Previous Ranking: 15

Last game: 33-25 loss to Syracuse (7-3, 4-3)

Upcoming game: Stanford (3-7, 2-5)

17. Florida State Seminoles (1-9, 1-7)

Previous Ranking: 17

Last game: Bye

Upcoming game: Charleston Southern (1-10)