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ACC Football Power Rankings 2017: Florida State falls in Week 5

By Jerran Anderson

CHAPEL HILL, NC - SEPTEMBER 23: Joe Giles-Harris #44 of the Duke Blue Devils celebrates with fans after a win against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Kenan Stadium on September 23, 2017 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Duke won 27-17. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC - SEPTEMBER 23: Joe Giles-Harris #44 of the Duke Blue Devils celebrates with fans after a win against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Kenan Stadium on September 23, 2017 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Duke won 27-17. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images
Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images /

The Duke Blue Devils remain as one of the surprises in the ACC at 4-0. Their 27-17 victory over the North Carolina Tar Heels kept the Victory Bell in Durham for another season.

The Blue Devils got 90 rushing yards from running back Brittain Brown and 56 rushig yards and a touchdown from Shaun Wilson on offense. On defense, cornerback Bryon Fields Jr. pick-six late in the fourth broke the game open for the Blue Devils.

The Duke defense held North Carolina to 3-of-16 on third down conversions and forced the lone turnover of the game. Head coach David Cutcliffe seems to have turned things around this season.

Duke faces 14th-ranked Miami this week which should make for a good game.

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets have been another surprise in the ACC this season after going 4-4 in ACC play in 2016. This season, they’re 1-0 already after an easy 35-17 victory over the Pittsburgh Panthers.

The Yellow Jackets’ Triple Option is still steam-rolling over teams. In Week 4, they ran for 436 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns. Running back KirVonte Benson led the way with 196 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback TaQuon Marshall wa right behind him with 112 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

Paul Johnson’s offense seems to have found its swagger so far, although they’re 2-1. They host North Carolina this week as they look to go 2-0 in conference play.

The 14th-ranked Miami Hurricanes returned to action in Week 4 and got a victory over the Toledo Rockets, 52-30. The Hurricanes led 24-16 entering the fourth quarter before a 28-point outburst gave them the easy victory.

Malik Rosier threw two touchdown passes and ran 23 yards for another in outscoring the Rockets 28-14 in the final quarter. Rosier finished the game with 333 passing yards and three passing touchdowns.

Related Story: Miami Football: 5 players who earned game balls vs. Toledo

Running back Mark Walton paced the ground game with 11 carries for 204 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Wide receiver Braxton Berrios paced the receiving game with five catches for 105 receiving yards and a touchdown.

It was a big week for the Hurricanes offense but their defense allowed 342 passing yards and three passing touchdowns. This week, they face Duke on the road in their ACC opener. They’ll need to limit Duke’s passing game or they could be in trouble.

The 17th-ranked Louisville Cardinals bounced back in their 42-3 victory over the Kent State Golden Flashes. After their heartbreaking home loss, the Cardinals got back to their winning ways in Week 4, but remain steady in the ranks.

The offense bounced back with 539 total yards despite turning the ball over four times in the game. The defense only allowed 150 total yards and three points to the Golden Flashes.

It was a good confidence boost despite two interceptions from quarterback Lamar Jackson. Jackson still threw for 299 passing yards and two touchdowns and ran for another score.

The Cardinals are still 1-1 in ACC play with one more nonconference game against Murray State this week. They shouldn’t face too much resistance here either, so expect another blowout victory.

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