ACC Football Power Rankings, Week 9: Did Notre Dame convince anyone?
By Dante Pryor
10. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (2-4, 2-3)
Flashes. That is the best way to describe year two of the Geoff Collins experience. You see the signs of progress, especially offensively. Jeff Sims can be a quarterback you rebuild a program with. Sims’ development is critical to the progress of the program.
What the Yellow Jackets need to address, however, is the defense. The 73 points against Clemson aside, they’ve given up over 25 points five of six games this season and over 35 in all of their losses. As Collins recruits, the talent depth must improve, especially on defense.
Boston College had its best day running the football of the season, and they have struggled to run the ball most of the season. Keep building coach, it’s still early in the process.
9. Pitt Panthers (3-4, 2-4)
The Panthers are in free fall in the midst of a three-game losing streak without their best offensive player, quarterback Kenny Pickett. After two close losses to Boston College and NC State, the Panthers have been beaten pretty handily by Miami and Notre Dame. Their last two losses have exposed and a confluence of issues.
Offensively, Pitt cannot run the football averaging just 99 yards rushing per game and 2.9 yards per carry. Also, the Panthers have no dynamic playmakers. Leading receiver Jordan Addison averages just 11.8 yards per reception.
Defensively, Pitt is average in their back seven, especially in pass defense. In their last four games, the Panthers have given up 14 of their 16 passing touchdowns this season. Those are also the four best pass offenses they’ve faced this season.
8. North Carolina State Wolfpack (4-2, 4-2)
The Wolfpack were in the midst of a three-game winning streak. Devin Leary stabilized the quarterback position, and the running game was humming like a ’65 Mustang. After a couple of close wins, the Wolfpack seemed to have things in order. Then the injury bug hit hard.
Starting quarterback Devin Leary and second-leading rusher Ricky Pearson were both injured. Their presence was missed in NC State’s loss to interstate rival North Carolina. What makes their injuries even more significant is the defense is bad this season. They needed those weapons to outscore teams.
Leary will be out for at least six weeks with a broken fibula, and Pearson might be back for the Miami game if he passes the concussion protocols.
7. Virginia Tech Hokies (3-2, 3-2)
The Hokies have been held together by smoke and mirrors. ‘Tech has faced a lot of adversity because of COVID-19. Despite not having both players and coaches, the Hokies have been able to win games despite not throwing the ball well. Kansas transfer running back Khalil Herbert has been terrific, putting together a string of 200-yard rushing games.
What the Hokies found out against Wake Forest is you cannot turn the ball over and win football games. Their lack of depth, especially offensively, showed up against Wake Forest. The Hokies get Louisville on Halloween. Let’s hope they get a couple more guys back this week.
6. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (3-2, 2-2 ACC)
After opening the season with two losses and having their game against Notre Dame postponed, the Demon Deacons are hitting their stride, winning three in a row. Ironically, Wake Forest is getting things done with defense. During this three-game win streak, the Deacons have given up just 17 points and 405 yards per game.
The driving force behind the Deacons’ defensive resurgence is turnovers. Wake has generated ten turnovers in the last three games, including three interceptions against Virginia Tech last week. The Deacons get Syracuse on Halloween before a much-needed bye week.