ACC power rankings Week 10: Florida State, Louisville on collision course for ACC Championship Game
With four weeks left in the regular season, all signs are pointing toward a Florida State vs. Louisville showdown in the ACC Championship Game.
The Seminoles are alone atop the league standings, have won 14 straight games dating back to last season and are the first league team to reach six ACC victories this season.
We knew Florida State would be good; Louisville not so much.
Picked for an eighth-place finish in the ACC preseason poll, the Cardinals are perched in second place and reaping the rewards of an accommodating schedule – namely, a slate devoid of Florida State, North Carolina and Clemson.
The Seminoles remain fourth in the latest US LBM Coaches Poll, followed by Louisville at No. 15. North Carolina is the third and final ACC team ranked, hanging on at No. 25.
Here’s how the league’s teams stack up this week:
1. Florida State (8-0, 6-0)
Last week: 1
This week: at Pitt
What to know: Not sure there’s any way of slowing the ’Noles, who have scored 30 or more points in 14 consecutive games.
2. Louisville (7-1, 4-1)
Last week: 2
This week: vs. Virginia Tech
What to know: Jeff Brohm has the Cardinals on the fast track to success, but one question lingers: How did they lose to Pitt by 17?
3. Miami (6-2, 2-2)
Last week: 4
This week: at NC State
What to know: Super Mario? The Hurricanes have scored 20 or more points in every game this season and are 2-0 in overtime contests.
4. North Carolina (6-2, 3-2)
Last week: 3
This week: vs. Campbell
What to know: UNC coach Mack Brown after Saturday’s 46-42 loss at Georgia Tech: “I can’t answer what happened …” Bottom line: Tech has upset a ranked Tar Heels for three consecutive years.
5. Virginia Tech (4-4, 3-1)
Last week: 8
This week: at Louisville
What to know: The Hokies are alone in third place in the ACC but face three of their final four games on the road.
6. NC State (5-3, 2-2)
Last week: 9
This week: vs. Miami
What to know: If the Wolfpack had a more potent offense, they’d be dangerous.
7. Duke (5-3, 2-2)
Last week: 5
This week: vs. Wake Forest
What to know: With a Thursday game up next, it’ll be a short week for the Blue Devils, who managed only three drives of more than five plays in a loss at Louisville last week.
8. Clemson (4-4, 2-4)
Last week: 6
This week: vs. Notre Dame
What to know: The ACC’s preseason favorite continues to stumble along. The Tigers have four losses (and counting) for the first time since 2011.
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9. Georgia Tech (4-4, 2-2)
Last week: 11
This week: at Virginia
What to know: The Yellow Jackets have alternated wins and losses all season, so expect a defeat in Charlottesville.
10. Boston College (5-3, 2-2)
Last week: 7
This week: at Syracuse
What to know: Don’t look now, but the Eagles will carry a four-game winning streak to Syracuse.
11. Wake Forest (4-4, 1-4)
Last week: 10
This week: at Duke
What to know: The Deacs were manhandled by FSU 41-16, and it could have been worse, according to coach Dave Clawson – “There were a lot of bad matchups for us out there.”
12. Virginia (2-6, 1-3)
Last week: 13
This week: vs. Georgia Tech
What to know: Just call ’em the Hard-luck Hoos. Coach Tony Elliott’s team has lost four games by three points or less.
13. Pitt (2-6, 1-3)
Last week: 12
This week: vs. Florida State
What to know: Things turned ugly in a hurry in the Panthers’ 58-7 loss at Notre Dame last week. A similar fate may await Saturday.
14. Syracuse (4-4, 0-4)
Last week: 14
This week: vs. Boston College
What to know: The Orange have been outscored 150-34 in four consecutive defeats, and BC may be their last remaining hope for an ACC win.
Scott Keepfer covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at skeepfer@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @ScottKeepfer
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Florida State, Louisville hold top spots in ACC power rankings
