ACC Power Rankings updated after Week 3 of college football
The latest ACC Power Rankings are here following Week 3 of college football and a full slate of action, courtesy of the On3 Massey Ratings.
The On3 Massey Ratings – which were officially used during the BCS era and have generated high school sports team rankings since 1995 – rank sports teams by analyzing game outcomes, strength of schedule, and margin of victory.
Let’s dive into the ACC Power Rankings following Week 3 of the college football season.
1. Miami (+2)
It was a dominating display for the Hurricanes on Saturday, beating Ball State 62-0. The Massey ratings put Miami back to the top of the ACC rankings afterwards.
Cam Ward maintained his Heisman level, throwing for five touchdowns on the day. In the first quarter of the season, Miami clearly looks like one of the best teams in the country.
2. Clemson (-1)
Clemson had a week off so the Tigers dropped one spot this week. They bounced back in a big way last week, dominating App State.
Now, can the Tigers keep it rolling in ACC play when they host NC State? This matchup is a little more intriguing than it would’ve been a couple of weeks ago.
3. Louisville (-1)
The Cardinals also had a bye week and dropped a spot like their ACC foes above them. Louisville starts conference play this coming weekend when they play host to Georgia Tech.
Overall, this is one of the best teams in the conference through the first quarter of the season. Now, can Jeff Brohm’s crew keep it rolling?
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4. California
How about the Golden Bears? Now at 3-0, the ACC looks good on the former Pac-12 member. Although could they go back to that conference?
Anyway, in the win, Fernando Mendoza was 21-of-29 passing for 198 yards, two touchdowns and one pick. They built a 21-3 lead going into the fourth quarter and cruised.
5. Pittsburgh (+3)
A thriller for Pitt this weekend as the Panthers beat their rivals, West Virginia, 38-34. Eli Holstein tossed for 301 yards and three touchdowns in the win.
With that type of victory, Pitt vaulted up the ACC rankings, per the Massey Ratings. Coming up next is Youngstown State before a bye week and the conference play vs. UNC in October.
6. North Carolina (-1)
Speaking of North Carolina, the Tar Heels improved to 3-0. It looked like a washed season when they lost Max Johnson opening night.
James Madison comes to town this weekend and then they’ll open ACC play at Duke on September 28. In the win over NC Central, Jacolby Criswelll had 161 yards and a touchdown. But it’s Omarion Hampton carrying the offense with 25 carries for 210 yards and three touchdowns.
7. Duke (-1)
The Blue Devils are 3-0 as well, and that could make the classic ACC matchup with UNC so intriguing next week. First things first, Manny Diaz and company have to take on Middle Tennessee.
But the win over UConn, 26-21 by the way, was a wild one. Trailing 21-17 going into the fourth, Duke put up nine points to escape with a win at home. Maalik Murphy tossed 267 yards and three touchdowns.
8. Boston College (-1)
The Eagles were everyone’s darlings going into Week 3 as a ranked team. But Missouri put a stop to the hype train, at least for now.
In the 27-21 loss, Thomas Castellanos had 249 yards, three touchdowns, but two interceptions. Boston College takes on Michigan State and Western Kentucky before resuming ACC play against Virginia in October.
9. Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech beat VMI 59-7 over the weekend, so it was really no contest. This team is now 3-1, but the win didn’t propel them in the ACC rankings.
Coming up next is a big one at Louisville at 3:30 p.m. ET. If the Yellow Jackets win this one, it might be time to vault them up the rankings.
10. Syracuse
Syracuse had a bye week following an epic win over Georgia Tech. The bye week was nice as the Orange will welcome new ACC member Stanford this Friday.
The star of Fran Brown’s first year is easily Kyle McCord. Is it possible that he is better now than he was at Ohio State?
ACC Power Rankings after Week 3
11. NC State (+1)
12. SMU (+1)
13. Virginia Tech (+2)
14. Virginia (-3)
15. Florida State (-1)
16. Wake Forest
17. Stanford
The ACC power rankings after Week 3 are in the books. Week 4 will have some intriguing matchups, including conference games. Then we can really get silly.