ACC Football Power Rankings: NC State continues to climb in Week 7

The Wake Forest Demon Deacons are another 4-2 team that is 1-2 in ACC play. They fell in Week 6 to the Clemson Tigers, luckily their defense only allowed 28 points in the game.

The Demon Deacons got 203 passing yards, 92 rushing yards and two passing touchdowns from backup quarterback Kendall Hinton. Starter John Wolford missed the game due to an undisclosed injury.

The Wake Forest defense forced two turnovers (1 fumble, 1 interception) against the second-ranked Tigers, but couldn’t quite capitalize on offense. They have a bye week before facing the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on Oct. 21.

The Florida State Seminoles lost their game against the Miami Hurricanes 24-20 on the final play of the game. They’re off to a 1-2 start in ACC play since losing their season opener to No. 1 Alabama, 24-7.

Quarterback James Blackman threw for 203 passing yards and two passing touchdowns but also two interceptions. Running back Cam Akers had his first career 100-yard rushing game, finishing with 20 carries for 121 rushing yards. Jacques Patrick was right behind him with 91 rushing yards on 11 carries.

The Seminoles lost although they outgained the Hurricanes offense 406-337 in total yards. They finished with 203 rushing yards on the ground. This week, Florida State travels to Durham to face the Blue Devils on Oct. 14.

The Syracuse Orange got back in the win column in Week 6, defeating the Pittsburgh Panthers 27-24 in a close battle. It was the Orange’ first victory in ACC play and now they are 1-1.

Quarterback Eric Dungey threw for two passing touchdowns and ran for another to lead the Syracuse offense. He finished with 365 passing yards and 48 rushing yards in the game.

Wide receiver Steve Ishmael finished with five catches for 97 receiving yards and a touchdown. It was Ishmael’s third-straight game with a touchdown reception.

Next up for Syracuse: No. 2 Clemson in the Carrier Dome. It is the first of two games for the Orange against ranked opponents.

The Virginia Cavaliers got their first win in ACC play over Duke and they did it in impressive fashion. They’ve won three-straight games as they look to qualify for their first bowl game since the 2011 season.

Quarterback Kurt Benkert finished with 182 passing yards and three passing touchdowns. Running back Jordan Ellis had 96 rushing yards to carry the ground game. Wide receiver Doni Dowling led the way for the receivers with 52 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns.

The Cavaliers defense stepped up in a big way with two interceptions. Safety Quin Blanding took one of those interceptions 58 yards to the house for a touchdown.

Next up for Virginia is a road trip to North Carolina to face the Tar Heels. They’ll look to keep them winless at home this season with a victory this week.