New Challengers Rise in Week 4 ACC Power Rankings

© Melina Myers-Imagn Images

In just three weeks, preseason expectations have been completely turned upside down in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Florida State Seminoles (0-3) are yet to win a game after falling at home to the Memphis Tigers (3-0). An NC State Wolfpack (2-1) offense that boasted loads of potential has fallen on its face, waiting until the fourth quarter to pull away from Western Carolina and Louisiana Tech (1-1). The No. 21 Clemson Tigers (1-1) looked lost in their opening week game against the No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs (3-0), managing 188 total yards of offense and scoring just three points.

But as these recent ACC powerhouses have struggled early, exciting new contenders have emerged in their place. After a second straight unbelievable comeback, the Pitt Panthers are 3-0 for only the fifth time since 2000. The Syracuse Orange (2-0) seem to be firing on all cylinders on offense with transfer quarterback Kyle McCord at the helm. The Cal Golden Bears (3-0) are already making noise in their first ACC season with a stout defense that has held opponents to 12.3 points per game. And, despite a loss, the Boston College Eagles (2-1) held their own and gave the No. 7 Missouri Tigers a legitimate scare.

The College Football Dawgs Staff attempted to separate the contenders from the pretenders in the Week 4 ACC Power Rankings.

1. Miami Hurricanes (3-0)

Previous Ranking: 1

A weak schedule to this point has kept the No. 8 Hurricanes from proving themselves against top competition. In three utterly dominating performances, though, Miami has shown the country that it is deserving of its spot in The Associated Press Top 25 Poll's top 10. This week's game closely followed the script of Miami's first two wins. The Hurricanes defeated the Ball State Cardinals (1-1) 62-0 in a true all-around performance from the team.

Cam Ward was electric once again, throwing for 346 yards and 5 touchdowns in limited action. The offense gained 750 total yards, setting a school record for yards in a game. The defense held Ball State to just 115 total yards in the shutout performance. While Miami has looked the part of a championship team so far, fans may not find out just how good this Hurricanes team is until a trip to No. 19 Louisville on Oct. 19.

Upcoming game: at South Florida (2-1)

2. Louisville Cardinals (2-0)

Previous Ranking: 2

The No. 19 Cardinals headed into their early season bye week with loads of confidence after two dominant performances. They will not have much of a chance to ease back into their schedule after their week off. After a visit from a dangerous Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets team, the Cardinals will travel to face the No. 17 Notre Dame Fighting Irish on the road. Just a few weeks later, Louisville will welcome the Hurricanes to town, followed immediately by trips to Boston College and Clemson.

Louisville is loaded with talent on both sides of the ball and has the ability to compete with any team. The Cardinals are also young and inexperienced at several key positions, which could hurt them in close games or in hostile road environments. The team will need its experienced players to step up when it matters, and that starts with seventh year senior quarterback Tyler Shough and senior wide receiver Ja'Corey Brooks.

Upcoming game: vs. Georgia Tech (2-1)

3. Clemson Tigers (1-1)

Previous Ranking: 4

After two polar opposite performances in Weeks 1 and 2, the No. 21 Tigers got an early bye week to sort through what went right and what went wrong. Clemson has the talent to make a run at the College Football Playoff in 2024, but the offense will ultimately decide how far this team can go.

Will we continue to see the Cade Klubnik that looked confident and poised in the pocket, throwing for 378 yards and 5 touchdowns in just one half against the Appalachian State Mountaineers (2-1)? Will head coach Dabo Swinney continue to utilize the Tigers' talented freshman wide receivers Bryant Wesco Jr. and TJ Moore? If this offense can continue to build confidence, then Clemson will be a team that no one wants to face in the CFP.

Upcoming game: vs. NC State (2-1)

4. Boston College Eagles (2-1)

Previous Ranking: 3

The Eagles may have left Columbia, Mo., with a loss but they earned the respect of the country with their performance against the No. 7 Missouri Tigers (3-0). Boston College took a quick 14-3 lead behind a surprisingly explosive passing attack before the Tigers' defense came on strong in an eventual 27-21 victory. Quarterback Thomas Castellanos looked solid throughout, throwing for 249 yards and 3 touchdowns on the day. His 2 untimely interceptions, however, may have ultimately cost the Eagles a chance at the victory.

While the passing attack showed improvement, the rushing attack disappeared. The Eagles averaged just 1.9 yards per carry in a dismal showing on the ground. Against one of the most ferocious run defense in the country, this was to be somewhat expected. Boston College will need to figure out how to avoid a similar showing on the ground going forward, though, to have a chance to compete against the top teams in the ACC.

Upcoming game: vs. Michigan State (3-0)

5. Syracuse Orange (2-0)

Previous Ranking: 5

The Orange were another team that had an opportunity to rest this week during an early bye. Looking ahead at its schedule, Syracuse has to be excited about its chances in the ACC. The Orange avoid playing Clemson and Louisville, and the only ranked team on their schedule is Miami, who they play at home in the last week of the season. Syracuse's defense has been somewhat of a weak link so far, allowing 25 points per game against weaker competition. If that unit can elevate its level, then this Orange team could be a true threat in the ACC.

Upcoming game: vs. Stanford (1-1)

ACC Power Rankings: Nos. 6-17

6. Cal Golden Bears (3-0)

Previous ranking: 7

Last game: 31-10 win over San Diego State (1-2)

Upcoming game: at Florida State (0-3)

7. Pitt Panthers (3-0)

Previous ranking: 9

Last game: 38-34 win over West Virginia (1-2)

Upcoming game: vs. Youngstown State (1-2)

8. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (3-1)

Previous ranking: 6

Last game: 59-7 win over VMI (0-3)

Upcoming game: at No. 19 Louisville (2-0)

9. North Carolina Tar Heels (3-0)

Previous ranking: 8

Last game: 45-10 win over NC Central (1-2)

Upcoming game: vs. James Madison (2-0)

10. Duke Blue Devils (3-0)

Previous ranking: 10

Last game: 26-21 win over UConn (1-2)

Upcoming game: at Middle Tennessee State (1-2)

11. SMU Mustangs (2-1)

Previous ranking: 11

Last game: Bye Week

Upcoming game: vs. TCU (2-1)

12. Virginia Tech Hokies (2-1)

Previous ranking: 13

Last game: 37-17 win over Old Dominion (0-3)

Upcoming game: vs. Rutgers (2-0)

13. Virginia Cavaliers (2-1)

Previous ranking: 14

Last game: 27-13 loss to Maryland (2-1)

Upcoming game: at Coastal Carolina (3-0)

14. NC State Wolfpack (2-1)

Previous ranking: 12

Last game: 30-20 win over Louisiana Tech (1-1)

Upcoming game: at No. 21 Clemson (1-1)

15. Stanford Cardinal (1-1)

Previous ranking: 16

Last game: Bye Week

Upcoming game: at Syracuse (2-0)

16. Florida State Seminoles (0-3)

Previous ranking: 15

Last game: 20-12 loss to Memphis (3-0)

Upcoming game: vs. Cal (3-0)

17. Wake Forest Demon Deacons

Previous ranking: 17

Last game: 40-6 loss to No. 5 Ole Miss (3-0)

Upcoming game: Bye Week

Teams like Clemson and NC State still have plenty of time to get things sorted out before conference play kicks into full gear. But for now, it is exciting to keep track of the new contenders seeking to assert themselves firmly in the conference title race. Only time will tell how many of these teams can turn their hot starts into true title contention.