ACC Football Power Rankings, Week 9: Did Notre Dame convince anyone?

Both Clemson and Notre Dame won in convincing fashion last weekend. Did the Irish convince anyone? Let’s take a look at the ACC football power rankings.

Almost made you love me
Almost made you cry
Almost made you happy, baby
Didn’t I didn’t I
You almost had me thinking
You were turned around
But everybody knows
Almost doesn’t count ~Almost Doesn’t Count (Brandy)

When Notre Dame joined the ACC, it was a momentous occasion. Here at headquarters, it was mint juleps for everyone. Maybe this season, Clemson would have a contender to the throne. Then, 12-7 was juxtaposed with 73-7. This week 45-3 was juxtaposed with 47-21. Clemson made some mental mistakes, and Notre Dame trounced Pitt.

However, the Irish generated no big plays from their wide receivers — Ben Skowronek is an H-back/tight end playing receiver — and the run game was shut down by the best defense Notre Dame has played so far. Ian Book threw for 312 yards but completed only 53.3 percent of his passes. In fact, Book’s 59.7 completion percentage this year is the lowest of his career.

Clemson was far from perfect against Syracuse, but everyone knows the Tigers when they are on their game. We don’t know what Notre Dame is when it’s are on its game. It’s not hard to think Clemson’s A-game beats Notre Dame’s A-game based on the sample size. Notre Dame is almost there but almost doesn’t count.

Here’s to big games in the ACC and your power rankings going into Week 9.