Oct 104 min read

ACC Power Rankings: Miami, Clemson Remain on Top, SMU Jumps

Week 6 of the college football season had some drama in the Associated Press Top 25 Poll. Alabama, Missouri, Louisville, Tennessee, Washington, USC and UNLV all lost last week. Out of those seven schools, Missouri was the only school to lose to a ranked team (No. 9 Missouri lost to No. 25 Texas A&M). The No. 6 Miami Hurricanes (6-0, 2-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) had a scare last week against the California Bears (3-2, 0-2) where the Hurricanes were down 35-10 with 8:06 left to go in the second quarter. The No. 10 Clemson Tigers (4-1, 3-0) beat the struggling Florida State Seminoles (1-5, 1-4) 29-13 to continue to stay in the top of the ACC Power Rankings. Even though Miami had to come back from being down 25 points, it proved why it is still one of the top teams in the ACC.

The Louisville Cardinals (3-2, 1-1 ) lost to the No. 25 SMU Mustangs (5-1, 2-0) 34-27. The loss to SMU dropped Louisville out of the Top 25 rankings. The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (4-2, 2-2) beat the Duke Blue Devils (5-1, 1-1) 24-14, giving the Blue Devils their first loss of the season after starting 5-0. Duke will look to bounce back after this much-needed bye week while the Yellow Jackets gear up for their game with the North Carolina Tar Heels (3-3, 0-2).

Winning conference games is extremely important to get into the ACC championship game. After six weeks, the ACC has had many changes in its Power Rankings. The College Football Dawgs' staff compiled notes and came up with these Power Rankings.

1. No. 6 Miami Hurricanes (6-0, 2-0)

Previous Rank: 1

Despite being down 25 points in the second quarter to the Cal Golden Bears, the Hurricanes were able to escape Berkeley, Calif., with a 39-38 victory. Quarterback Cam Ward threw the ball 53 times and completed 35 of his passes (66 percent completion rating) for 437 yards with 2 touchdowns. Ward had his only interception returned for a touchdown in the third quarter. Ward's 2 touchdown passes came in the fourth quarter with his last one coming with just 26 seconds left to lift the Hurricanes to a one-point victory.

Upcoming game: at Louisville (3-2, 1-1)

2. No. 10 Clemson Tigers (4-1, 3-0)

Previous Rank: 2

Quarterback Cade Klubnik led the Tigers to a 16-point victory over the Seminoles. He threw for 235 yards with 2 touchdowns, completing 19-of-33 passes (57 percent completion). Running back Phil Mafah had a tremendous game, carrying the ball 25 times for 154 yards. The run game for the Tigers was key in their victory. Clemson did not allow the Seminoles to score until the 11:11 mark in the second quarter.

Upcoming game: at Wake Forest (2-3, 1-1)

3. No. 25 SMU Mustangs (5-1, 2-0)

Previous Rank: 6

Quarterback Kevin Jennings had a tremendous game against the then-ranked No. 22 Louisville Cardinals. He threw for 281 yards, completing 21-of-27 passes (77 percent completion). Jennings also had a great run game with 10 carries for 113 yards and 1 touchdown. SMU was able to close out the game with a 1-yard rushing touchdown by LJ Johnson Jr.

Upcoming game: at Stanford (2-3, 1-2)

4. No. 22 Pitt Panthers (5-0, 1-0)

Previous Rank: 7

The Panthers had a convincing win against the Tar Heels, 34-24. Quarterback Eli Holstein threw for 381 yards and 3 touchdowns. He completed 59 percent of his passes while also running 10 times for 76 yards and 1 touchdown. Holstein's best receiver this game was Desmond Reid, who caught 11 passes for 155 yards.

Upcoming game: Cal (3-2, 0-2)

5. Syracuse Orange (4-1, 1-1)

Previous Rank: 8

The Orange traveled to Las Vegas to take on the then-ranked No. 25 UNLV Rebels. Syracuse defeated UNLV 44-41 in overtime. The Orange forced overtime with a 6-yard pass from quarterback Kyle McCord to Jackson Meeks with 23 seconds left in regulation. McCord had a stellar game, throwing for 355 yards. He threw for 3 touchdowns and completed 63 percent of his passes. Tight end Oronde Gadsden II had 10 receptions for 142 yards.

Upcoming game: NC State (3-3, 0-2)

ACC Power Rankings: Nos. 6-17

6. Louisville Cardinals (3-2, 1-1)

Previous ranking: 3

Last game: 34-27 loss against SMU (5-1, 2-0)

Upcoming game: Virginia (4-1, 2-0)

7. Virginia Cavaliers (4-1, 2-0)

Previous ranking: 10

Last game: 24-14 win over Boston College (4-2, 1-1)

Upcoming game: at Louisville (3-2, 1-1)

8. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (4-2, 2-2)

Previous ranking: 9

Last game: 24-14 win over Duke (5-1, 1-1)

Upcoming game: at North Carolina (3-3, 0-2)

9. Duke Blue Devils (5-1, 1-1)

Previous ranking: 4

Last game: 24-14 loss against Georgia Tech (4-2, 2-2)

Upcoming game: Oct. 18 vs. Florida State (1-5, 1-4)

10. Boston College Eagles (4-2, 1-1)

Previous ranking: 5

Last game: 24-14 loss against Virginia (4-1, 2-0)

Upcoming game: at Virginia Tech (3-3, 1-1)

11. Virginia Tech Hokies (3-3, 1-1)

Previous ranking: 11

Last game: 31-7 win over Stanford (2-3, 1-2)

Upcoming game: Boston College (4-2, 1-1)

12. Cal Golden Bears (3-2, 0-2)

Previous ranking: 12

Last game: 39-38 loss against No. 8 Miami (6-0, 2-0)

Upcoming game: at Pitt (5-0, 1-0)

13. NC State Wolfpack (3-3, 0-2)

Previous ranking: 13

Last game: 34-30 loss against Wake Forest (2-3, 1-1)

Upcoming game: Syracuse (4-1, 1-1)

14. Stanford Cardinal (2-3, 1-2)

Previous ranking: 14

Last game: 31-7 loss against Virginia Tech (3-3, 1-1)

Upcoming game: at Notre Dame (4-1)

15. North Carolina Tar Heels (3-3, 0-2)

Previous ranking: 15

Last game: 34-24 loss against Pittsburgh (5-0, 1-0)

Upcoming game: Georgia Tech (4-2, 2-2)

16. Wake Forest (2-3, 1-1)

Previous ranking: 17

Last game: 34-30 over NC State (3-3, 0-2)

Upcoming game: at No. 10 Clemson (4-1, 3-0)

17. Florida State (1-5, 1-4)

Previous ranking: 16

Last game: 29-13 loss against No. 10 Clemson (4-1, 3-0)

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