ACC Football: Week 1 Power Rankings after Clemson, UNC lose

3. North Carolina State: It is difficult to know what to make of the Wolfpack’s 45-0 blowout win against the South Florida Bulls in Raleigh. North Carolina State showed the ACC how they want to play. Both running backs, Zonovan Knight and Ricky Pearson, Jr., ran for over 100 yards, and Devin Leary threw for 232 yards and two touchdowns.

The run game was explosive, with two runs over 30 yards and a 7.3 yards per carry average. The ‘Pack limited the Bulls’ offense all night long, allowing just 271 total yards. If there is one critique of the Wolfpack defense, they were unable to get a sack.

This dominant performance makes their game against Clemson on September 25th significantly more interesting.

2. Miami: What the Alabama Crimson Tide did to the Miami Hurricanes Saturday afternoon is no different from what Alabama will do to many opponents this season. At the same time, Miami did not even cover.

The game showed just how far the Miami Hurricanes are from being among the elite in college football. The Hurricanes had neither the X’s and O’s nor the Jimmys and Joes. So, why are they ranked 2nd in the power rankings?

The schedule will show what the Hurricanes are or are not. They should defeat Appalachian State next weekend; a visit by Michigan State will tell us about who the Hurricanes really are.