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ACC Power Rankings: Louisville, Pitt, and Duke win thrillers this weekend

By Dante Pryor

Sep 18, 2021; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Northwestern Wildcats quarterback Hunter Johnson (15) is hit after the release by Duke Blue Devils defensive tackle DeWayne Carter (90) during the first quarter at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Howard-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2021; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Northwestern Wildcats quarterback Hunter Johnson (15) is hit after the release by Duke Blue Devils defensive tackle DeWayne Carter (90) during the first quarter at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Howard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Pittsburgh running back Israel Abanikanda (2) runs the ball during a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Pittsburgh Panthers in Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Saturday, September 10, 2022. The Vols defeated Pitt 34-27 in overtime.
Pittsburgh running back Israel Abanikanda (2) runs the ball during a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Pittsburgh Panthers in Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Saturday, September 10, 2022. The Vols defeated Pitt 34-27 in overtime. /

10. Louisville: (1-1)

Cardinals quarterback Malik Cunningham woke up against UCF in Orlando with 322 total yards. Cunningham sometimes struggled against the Knights but carried Louisville to the 20-14 win. The game was not always pretty, but the Cardinal defense bottled UCF quarterback John Rhys Plumlee, sacking the Mississippi transfer four times and picking him off once.

The Cardinals host a rejuvenated Florida State team this Friday in a game where the Louisville defense sees another dual-threat quarterback in Jordan Travis. The Seminoles also present Cunningham’s stiffest defensive test as well.

9. North Carolina: (3-0)

Quarterback Drake Maye has made Tar Heel fans forget about Sam Howell quickly. The redshirt freshman has been electric in his first three starts of the season, throwing 11 touchdowns this season. What has made Maye’s success so impressive is that he’s done it without Antoine Green and Josh Downs.

The Tar Heels gave up 28 points and over 400 yards to a Group of Five team. Georgia State even led in this game. The Heels must fix the offense before they waste what could be a dynamic offense.

8. #17 Pittsburgh: (1-1)

The Panthers played in another barn burner, falling to the Tennessee Volunteers 34-27 in the Johnny Majors classic. Kedon Slovis left the game with an injury which is cause for concern. Also, the defense has not been as good these first two games as advertised.

The Panthers’ defense allowed 325 passing yards to the Vols. Much of that is the style of offense Tennessee plays, but there is cause for some concern since Pitt returned its entire secondary from last season. The Panthers travel to Kalamazoo to take on Western Michigan next weekend.

7. #18 North Carolina State: (2-0)

After a 21-20 scare against East Carolina, the Wolfpack obliterated the Charleston Southern Buccaneers 55-3. The game was the first of three straight home games for the Wolfpack as they host Texas Tech in what should be an interesting test for the Wolfpack defense.

Red Raiders quarterback Donovan Smith threw the football 58 times in the Raiders’ 33-30 overtime win against Houston. NC State’s pass rush will be vital against Texas Tech next week.

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