ACC Power Rankings updated after Week 5 of college football

The latest ACC Power Rankings are here following Week 5 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 4 of the college football season.

1. Miami

Miami avoided a massive upset at the hands of Virginia Tech to stay at the top of the ACC power rankings. A Hail Mary that wasn’t was the difference.

Cam Ward was still impressive, throwing for 343 yards and four touchdowns, despite two interceptions. He also ran for 57 on the ground and another score. Another Heisman-worthy performance carrying the ‘Canes.

2. Clemson (+1)

Is this the revival of Clemson? The Tigers moved up one spot in the ACC rankings, per Massey. Now granted, it was a 40-14 win over Stanford, which is near the bottom.

Still, it’s now three wins in a row for Clemson and Cade Klubnik does look a lot better. The completion percentage wasn’t there, going 15-of-31, but he fired four touchdowns in the win. Winnable games against Florida State and Wake Forest are next and we could very well see a 5-1 team at the halfway point.

3. Louisville (-1)

A tough first loss for Louisvolle this season, dropping a 31-24 game on the road at Notre Dame. With the loss, the Cardinals dropped one spot in the ACC.

Tyler Shough tried to get Louisville out of a 21-7 hole after the first quarter. He had 264 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. In the end, it just wasn’t enough.

4. Pittsburgh

Pitt had a bye week following its 73-14 demolition of Youngstown State. Based on other movement, the Panthers stood pat this week in the ACC.

Next up is a reeling North Carolina team, which didn’t crack the top 10 this week. It’s fair to expect Pat Narduzzi’s crew to be 5-0 after next weekend.

5. SMU (+3)

SMU might have something cooking here, now 4-1 following a 42-16 dominant win over Florida State. Regardless of what you think of the latter, the Mustangs are making a mark in their first year in the ACC.

Kevin Jennings had 254 yards passing and three touchdowns. Brashard Smith led the way on the ground with 129 yards and a score. Oh yeah, the defense forced three interceptions of DJ Uiagalelei.

6. Duke (-1)

Duke moving down one spot in the ACC despite a 5-0 record? That’s what Massey says this week. But still, give credit to the cigar smoking Manny Diaz who has this team rolling.

Beating rival North Carolina is always sweet isn’t it? It’s probably an even sweeter 21-20 win when you pull off a comeback trailing 20-0.

7. California (-1)

Cal dropped a spot in the ACC this week despite being off. But that has more to do with SMU jumping up a few spots following their win.

The Golden Bears resume action this weekend at home against Miami, the conference’s best team. An upset there could severely shake up these rankings.

8. Boston College (-1)

The Eagles just edged out Western Kentucky Saturday, 21-20. It wasn’t pretty, but Boston College got it done, while dropping a spot in the ACC.

Grayson James had to fill in for an injured Thomas Castellanos and went 19-of-32 passing for 168 yards, one touchdown and one interception. BC also erased a 17-7 halftime deficit to improve to 4-1.

9. Georgia Tech

Following a loss to Louisville, the Yellow Jackets fell to 3-2 and had a much needed bye week. Now? GT gets an ACC matchup with undefeated Duke.

Georgia Tech can certainly change things in these rankings with a win. But going on the road is going to be a little tough!

10. Virginia

The Cavaliers also had a bye week following a 43-24 win over Coastal Carolina on September 21st. At 3-1, Virginia can make a statement with a win over Boston College this weekend.

Tony Elliott’s crew will host the Eagles in an intriguing ACC matchup. The winner could very well climb the ladder and garner more attention.

ACC Power Rankings after Week 5

11. North Carolina
12. NC State (+1)
13. Syracuse (+1)
14. Virginia Tech (+1)
15. Florida State (-3)
16. Stanford
17. Wake Forest

North Carolina suffered a bad loss to Duke, but didn’t move up or down this week. Florida State’s latest loss dropped the Seminoles three spots in the ACC as the season has gone from bad to worse.