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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 /
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Oct 3, 2020; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies running back Khalil Herbert (21) breaks free for a first down run ahead of Duke Blue Devils safety Marquis Waters (0) and Duke Blue Devils cornerback Jeremiah Lewis (39) in the second half at Wallace Wade Stadium. The Virginia Tech Hokies won 38-31. Mandatory Credit: Nell Redmond-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2020; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies running back Khalil Herbert (21) breaks free for a first down run ahead of Duke Blue Devils safety Marquis Waters (0) and Duke Blue Devils cornerback Jeremiah Lewis (39) in the second half at Wallace Wade Stadium. The Virginia Tech Hokies won 38-31. Mandatory Credit: Nell Redmond-USA TODAY Sports /

5. NC State Wolfpack (3-1, 3-1)

After the Virginia Tech Hokies destroyed the Wolfpack, the Dave Doeren hot-seat talk began. The quarterback position was unsettled, the defense did not have its usual bite, and there were no impact skill position players.

Then the streak began. Devin Leary took the lead on the quarterback position; the defense was not great, but it held up, and the one-two punch of Zonovan Knight and Ricky Person have paced the offense.

Unfortunately for the Wolfpack, Devin Leary broke his fibula against Duke. It remains to be seen if Bailey Hockman can keep the offense afloat. The Wolfpack play the Tar Heels this week.

4. Miami (3-1, 2-1)

The Miami Hurricanes grew up this weekend. After a disaster of a game against the Clemson Tigers, the Hurricanes played Pitt last week. Miami has been a disaster in the “sleepy” noon game. Think Georgia Tech and Florida International last season. Instead of folding and playing as if they were uninterested, Miami defeated the Pitt Panthers 31-19.

Miami’s defense was rock solid against the Panthers, and the run game was in full effect. It was a mature program defining performance. That might sound like hyperbole, but beating a team, you should beat after you lose a game the way Miami lost to Clemson shows the culture in Coral Gables is changing.

3. Virginia Tech (2-1, 2-1)

What’s most astounding about what the Hokies have done thus far is they’ve done it extremely short-handed. First, their leading receiver from last season transferred. Now COVID-19 has had an impact on the Hokies’ roster.

Over the last three weeks, the Hokies have missed a combination of 23 players and coaches, including starting quarterback Hendon Hooker and defensive coordinator Justin Hamilton.

Yet, they have persevered. Kansas transfer Khalil Herbert has been a godsend at running back. The defense has been rock solid despite playing short-handed in the secondary. Hendon Hooker’s return has strengthened the run game.

The Hokies play Wake forest next week, and the Deacons’ defense is not very good.

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