ACC Football Power Rankings: Clemson rebounds, Miami survives in Week 10
By Dana Becker
After starting the year 5-1 with two wins in the ACC, Virginia hasn’t won a game since October 14, falling this past weekend to Pittsburgh, 31-14.
Virginia’s looked very pedestrian these past two games, as they were also bested by Boston College two weeks ago, 41-10.
Kurt Benkert continues to struggle, as the East Carolina transfer was just 22-of-42 for 212 yards. Jordan Ellis and the ground game were held in-check, rushing for 102 yards on 31 carries.
Next up is a meeting with Georgia Tech on Saturday for the Cavaliers.
The Panthers picked up a much-needed 31-14 home victory over Virginia this past Saturday, improving to 4-5 overall. The win was their second straight and first at home since late in September.
The Pitt offense was balanced, as Ben Dinucci passed for 134 yards on 10-of-18, with Darrin Hall going over 100 yards again as part of a 176-yard attack. He had 111 and a score, with Quadree Ollison adding 47 and a touchdown.
Pittsburgh has played one of of the more challenging schedules in the nation, as they faced Penn State and Oklahoma State out of conference, along with ranked league foe NC State. They still have games with Virginia Tech and Miami on the horizon, but first is North Carolina in two weeks.
Just when it seemed as if things were headed in the right direction at Wake Forest, super-talented freshman wide receiver Greg Dortch was lost for the season following a 42-32 victory over Louisville.
Dortch went out with a bang, catching 10 passes for 167 yards and four touchdowns. Three of those scores game in the first half as the Demon Deacons built a 28-10 lead.
John Wolford passed for 461 yards and Matt Colburn ran for 134.
Needing one more win to become bowl eligible, Wake Forest is at Notre Dame this week before closing with Syracuse, NC State and Duke.
The triple option attack of Paul Johnson and Georgia Tech was once again stymied by Clemson, as the Tigers held them to 198 yards — with 129 of those coming from KirVonte Benson, who had a 65-yard run early in the contest.
Quarterback Taquon Marshall looked lost on the field, going 3-for-13 passing for 32 yards and rushing the ball 15 times for 23.
The Yellow Jackets were not much better on defense, as Clemson racked up over 400 total yards in the game, including 221 on the ground — a number that includes minus-32 team yards.
Just 1-2 over its last three, Georgia Tech tries to rebound at Virginia this weekend.