SMU, Boston College Rebound in Week 5 ACC Power Rankings

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Over the course of a college football season, nearly every team will experience a loss somewhere on the schedule. An early-season loss in particular can be demoralizing for fans and has the potential to derail a team's season all together. Both SMU (3-1) and Boston College (3-1, 1-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) fell in past weeks in heartbreaking fashion. The Mustangs came up just short in an 18-15 loss to the No. 23 BYU Cougars (4-0) in Week 2, and the Eagles lost 27-21 in a hard-fought road battle against the No. 11 Missouri Tigers (4-0) in Week 3.

In Week 4, both teams found a way to rebound. SMU learned from its offensive incompetence against the Cougars and put up 66 points in a comfortable win over a very respectable TCU Horned Frogs (2-2) team. Boston College played a tightly-contested battle against the Michigan State Spartans (3-1) and emerged with a 23-19 victory thanks to a miraculous late touchdown pass from quarterback Thomas Castellanos with under 2 minutes to play.

Many teams will lose over the course of the season, but the great teams— the true contenders—will find a way to learn from their losses and come back stronger. The College Football Dawgs' staff sorted through the Eagles' and Mustangs' resurgence in addition to all the Week 4 drama to form this week's ACC Power Rankings.

1. Miami Hurricanes (4-0)

Previous Ranking: 1

Looking at the final score in the No. 7 Hurricanes' 50-15 victory over the USF Bulls (2-2), it would appear that not much went wrong for Miami. Quarterback Cam Ward threw for over 400 yards and 3 touchdowns, and the offense compiled nearly 600 yards. Miami punted just once.

But the final score does not tell the full story. Miami was struggling to get off the field on defense in the first half and trailed 15-14 late in the second quarter. Ward's 76-yard TD pass to wide receiver Samuel Brown with under 2 minutes left in the half gave the Hurricanes a touchdown lead at halftime. But that did little to change the narrative of Miami's performance to that point.

It will be important to keep an eye on this Hurricanes' pass defense going forward. They will have a chance to show improvement in this week's Friday night clash against the Virginia Tech Hokies and dangerous dual-threat quarterback Kyron Drones.

Upcoming game: vs. Virginia Tech (2-2)

2. Louisville Cardinals (3-0, 1-0)

Previous Ranking: 2

The No. 15 Cardinals faced their first true test of the season this past week against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (3-2, 1-2). While Louisville came away with a solid 31-19 victory against their talented conference opponent, there were some problems that will have to be addressed with a brutal schedule looming.

Louisville was outgained 410-326 in total yardage by Georgia Tech and gained just 57 yards rushing on the day. Quarterback Tyler Shough's 57-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Ja'Corey Brooks ultimately helped the Cardinals take control of the game late in the third quarter. The Cardinals, however, cannot expect to rely solely on their passing attack if they want to continue their early season success. They possess the talent on defense to give them a chance against any opponent, but the rushing attack will need to step up in a big way with a pivotal road trip to No. 16 Notre Dame coming up this week.

Upcoming game: at No. 16 Notre Dame (3-1)

3. Clemson Tigers (2-1, 1-0)

Previous Ranking: 3

The Week 3 bye could not slow the No. 17 Tigers down. Clemson rolled over a hapless NC State team 59-35 in a game they led 45-7 at halftime. Cade Klubnik continued where he left off against Appalachian State, throwing for 209 yards and 3 touchdowns in limited action and adding a 55-yard rushing score. Head coach Dabo Sweeney continued to give some of the talented freshman meaningful reps, with running back Jay Haynes impressing on a 19-yard rushing score in the first half. If this offense can continue to have this much success, then the Tigers might soon become the favorites to win the ACC.

Upcoming game: vs. Stanford (2-1, 1-0)

4. Boston College Eagles (3-1, 1-0)

Previous Ranking: 4

The Eagles got the rebound they needed in their 23-19 victory over Michigan State, and the win came with some positive and negative takeaways. The Eagles' rushing attack recovered nicely after a dismal showing in their loss to Missouri. Against the Spartans, transfer running back Treshaun Ward lead the way with 14 carries for 102 yards and a 36-yard touchdown run. The defense also showed up in a big way by forcing 4 turnovers, including a game-sealing interception of Spartans' quarterback Aidan Chiles with under a minute to play.

Boston College will need to improve their red zone efficiency going forward. The Eagles had two drives in which they were inside the Spartans' 10-yard line and came away with no points. On a third drive, Boston College recovered a fumbled kickoff to start just 5 yards short of the end zone but had to settle for a field goal after a series of miscues. The Eagles will hope to improve on their red zone woes this week against a dangerous Western Kentucky Hilltoppers team.

Upcoming game: vs. Western Kentucky (3-1)

5. Pitt Panthers (4-0)

Previous Ranking: 7

After two straight weeks of unbelievable last-minute comebacks, Pitt finally played a complete game. Quarterback Eli Holstein especially had struggled with consistency issues throughout the first three weeks of the season. In the Panthers' 73-17 win over Youngstown State, he looked nearly flawless in limited action. Holstein went 16-for-24 passing for 247 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also added 9 carries for 93 yards and 2 rushing touchdowns. He and the rest of the Panthers' offense will hope to continue their newfound efficiency when Pitt returns from their early bye week.

Upcoming game: Bye Week

ACC Power Rankings: Nos. 6-17

6. Duke Blue Devils (4-0)

Previous Ranking: 10

Last game: 45-17 win over Middle Tennessee State (1-3)

Upcoming game: vs. North Carolina (3-1)

7. SMU Mustangs (3-1)

Previous Ranking: 11

Last game: 66-42 win over TCU Horned Frogs

Upcoming game: vs. Florida State (1-3, 1-2)

8. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (3-2, 1-2)

Previous Ranking: 8

Last game: 31-19 loss to No. 15 Louisville

Upcoming game: Bye Week

9. Virginia Cavaliers (3-1, 1-0)

Previous Ranking: 13

Last game: 43-24 win over Coastal Carolina (3-1)

Upcoming game: Bye Week

10. Syracuse Orange (2-1, 1-1)

Previous Ranking: 5

Last game: 26-24 loss to Stanford (2-1)

Upcoming game: vs. Holy Cross (1-3)

11. Cal Golden Bears (3-1, 0-1)

Previous Ranking: 6

Last game: 14-9 loss to Florida State

Upcoming game: Bye Week

12. Stanford Cardinal (2-1, 1-0)

Previous Ranking: 15

Last game: 26-24 win over Syracuse

Upcoming game: at No. 17 Clemson

13. Virginia Tech Hokies (2-2)

Previous Ranking: 12

Last game: 26-23 loss to Rutgers (3-0)

Upcoming game: at No. 7 Miami

14. North Carolina Tarheels (3-1)

Previous Ranking: 9

Last game: 70-50 loss to James Madison (3-0)

Upcoming game: at Duke (4-0)

15. NC State Wolfpack (2-2, 0-1)

Previous Ranking: 14

Last game: 59-35 loss to No. 17 Clemson

Upcoming game: vs. Northern Illinois (2-1)

16. Florida State Seminoles (1-3, 1-2)

Previous Ranking: 16

Last game: 14-9 win over Cal

Upcoming game: at SMU

17. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (1-2, 0-1)

Previous Ranking: 17

Last game: Bye Week

Upcoming game: vs. Louisiana (2-1)