Saturday Blitz
Fansided

ACC Football Power Rankings, Week 8: Clemson leaves no doubt as No. 1

By Dante Pryor

Oct 10, 2020; Clemson, South Carolina, USA; at Memorial Stadium. Clemson Tigers quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) and other quarterbacks walk onto the field for warmups before a game against the Miami Hurricanes at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2020; Clemson, South Carolina, USA; at Memorial Stadium. Clemson Tigers quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) and other quarterbacks walk onto the field for warmups before a game against the Miami Hurricanes at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 7
Next
Oct 10, 2020; Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA; Boston College Eagles quarterback Phil Jurkovec (5) drops back to pass during the first half against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2020; Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA; Boston College Eagles quarterback Phil Jurkovec (5) drops back to pass during the first half against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Virginia Cavaliers (1-3, 1-3)

The Virginia Cavaliers have played their two worst games of the season. Losing starting quarterback Brennan Armstrong did not help. Lindell Stone is not the answer, and head coach Bronco Mendenhall wants to use Keayton Thompson as a wide receiver.

It is the defense that has been surprisingly bad during this three-game slide. The Cavaliers are giving up 39 points and over 400 yards of offense in their last three games.

Despite losing some key defenders to the NFL draft, the defense was supposed to be a strong part of this team. It is unknown if the Cavaliers get Armstrong back for the Miami game, but they need to fix the defense before playing the Hurricanes.

8. Pitt Panthers (3-3, 2-3)

The Pitt Panthers are having the most Pitt season Pitt can have. After winning their first three games, the Panthers have proceeded to lose their next three. It seems as if the pass rush gets ho early, then teams figure out how to slow Pitt’s pass rushers to score points. This season specifically, the secondary is not very good.

The Panthers offense seeks to move the ball down the field and avoid turnovers. Their primary issue offensively is the running game. Pitt cannot run the football. That has been their Achilles’ heel all season. Now the Panthers have to deal with the possibility of playing without Kenny Pickett, who injured his ankle against Boston College when they play Notre Dame.

7. Boston College Eagles (3-2, 2-2)

Why could Phil Jurkovec not challenge Ian Book for snaps while at Notre Dame? This is no shade on Ian Book, but Jurkovec has played better with less talent against the stiffer competition this season. Few things can help a turnaround faster than a good quarterback. First-year head coach Jeff Hafley has found his quarterback.

Aside from his performance against Virginia Tech, Jurkovec has acclimated himself nicely to Boston College’s offense. Boston College’s back half includes Notre Dame and Clemson, but the rest of the schedule is manageable. If the Eagles can get the running game together, the Eagles will be a tough out.

6. North Carolina Tar Heels (3-1, 3-1)

Sam Howell has been a bit of a slow starter early in his career. That is what hurt North Carolina in their game against Florida State. The Tar Heels were down 24-0 before Howell finally got hot. One thing we’ve learned about Howell is when he gets hot; there are few quarterbacks better. On the other hand, when Howell is cold, the Tar Heels offense is ineffective.

The Florida State game exposed a mediocre defense that still needs improvement. Howell needs to be more consistent from the first to the fourth quarter. The Tar Heels play their interstate rivals, the NC State Wolfpack this week minus starting quarterback Devin Leary. That, along with their next four games, are winnable.

Home/ACC