ACC Football Power Rankings, Week 7: Pitt making serious noise

The Cavaliers sit atop the ACC Coastal division — for now. Bronco Mendenhall has done a fantastic job building that program. They are athletic, tough, physical and well-prepared. If they make it to Charlotte, and play well against Clemson in the championship game, the Cavaliers better be ready to make Mendenhall an offer he can’t refuse because if they don’t someone else will. They travel to Miami to take on the Hurricanes in primetime. That pass rush is looking to feast on their young offensive line.

Welcome to Narduzzi Cafe, may I take your order please? Yes, I’ll have two Pitt specials, supersized with a diet soda please. For a win? Yes for the win.

If you are a Pitt fan, please make sure you are visiting your doctor regularly, and eat a heart healthy diet because your stress and heart health will be tested watching them play every week. They ran the “Pitt Special” to win against UCF, and conjured up late-game heroics again to defeat the Duke Blue Devils last week. Both games had similar characteristics: Pitt jumps out to big leads, offense stagnates, and they commit silly penalties to let the opposition back in the game. If they could put a complete game together, they might just discontinue the Pitt Special. We’ll see if they can against Syracuse.

While we’re on the subject of teams bad for your heart health, the Demon Deacons have played in their fair share of close games this season as well. Three of their five wins have been by six points or less. Yet, Wake has found ways to win. Their offense has been phenomenal, but it’s been the defense that’s turned heads this season. If they have a big season, hopefully Wake Forest can hold on to Dave Clawson.

This week might be a tight game as well as they get Louisville in Winston-Salem and they, too, are playing well. Another field goal game, anyone?

While I hope the Seminoles give the Tigers all they can handle, Dabo Swinney has had one message for his Tigers during the bye week: “Everyone is counting us out.” Everyone wants to know what’s wrong with the Tigers. Why isn’t Trevor Lawrence playing well? All of these questions the Tigers have to answer. We all knew the Tigers’ toughest opponent would be the mirror. If there’s one unit that’s shown up so far this season it’s the defense. The Tigers are surrendering a paltry 13.3 points per game in conference play.

Watch out Florida State, you might be playing a hungry Tiger at Death Valley East. I hope your spears are sharp because you’re going to need them.