ACC Football Power Rankings, Week 13: Florida State flirts with bottom

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LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – OCTOBER 24: Jordan Travis #13 of the Florida State Seminoles looks to pass the ball while defended by Russ Yeast #3 of the Louisville Cardinals at Cardinal Stadium on October 24, 2020 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

15. Syracuse Orange (1-8, 1-7)

One thing that is in large supply here at the Power Rankings is cynicism. It is hard not to think the only reason that head coach Dino Babers is still around is the estimated $17 million buyout the former Bowling Green coach has due to the extension signed two years ago.

Granted, the Orange had opt-outs, injuries, not to mention practice restrictions due to COVID-19. However, Syracuse looked bad last season, and their 30-0 loss to a struggling Louisville team did not help matters. Athletic director John Wildhack gave Babers a vote of confidence. Uh oh.

14. Florida State Seminoles (2-6, 1-6)

According to the Seminoles, a player from Clemson tested positive Saturday morning. The medical team from FSU and the medical team from Clemson could not agree about the game, so each party decided to cancel. Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney accused the Florida State administration of ducking the Tigers. He went on to say if they want to play, they’d either have to come to Clemson or pay for the Tigers to return to Tallahassee.

FSU head coach Mike Norvell refuted Swinney’s accusation and would be willing to make Clemson’s financial concessions to return to Tallahassee. That has been the most exciting news from Florida State all season.

13. Duke Blue Devils (2-6, 1-6)

The Blue Devil’s game versus Wake Forest was canceled because of Wake’s COVID-19 concerns. The game will likely be canceled because neither team has much room left in their schedule to make up the game. Each team has games for the next two weeks. Wake has to make up a game against Notre Dame on Dec. 12 that was supposed to be played in November. Both teams could make the game up on Dec. 19 if the Blue Devils wanted to stay on campus during Christmas break.

12. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (2-5, 2-4)

The Yellow Jackets were off this week before the week’s pillow fight against the Duke Blue Devils. The Yellow Jackets look to break a three-game losing streak in which they played three of the top teams in the conference. True freshman quarterback Jeff Sims has not played well, and it will be interesting to see how well he rebounds this week against the Blue Devils.

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