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ACC football power rankings: Clemson hangs on to top spot again

By Dante Pryor

Sep 11, 2021; Clemson, South Carolina, USA; Clemson Tigers defensive lineman Bryan Bresee (11) runs down the hill prior to the game against the South Carolina State Bulldogs at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hagy-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2021; Clemson, South Carolina, USA; Clemson Tigers defensive lineman Bryan Bresee (11) runs down the hill prior to the game against the South Carolina State Bulldogs at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hagy-USA TODAY Sports /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 24: Bub Means #15 of the Pittsburgh Panthers stiff arms Rocco Cillino #41 of the Rhode Island Rams during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium on September 24, 2022, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 24: Bub Means #15 of the Pittsburgh Panthers stiff arms Rocco Cillino #41 of the Rhode Island Rams during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium on September 24, 2022, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

6. Duke Blue Devils (3-1)

The Duke Blue Devils went to Lawrence and fell to the Kansas Jayhawks 35-27 this past weekend. There are no such things as moral victories; you win or lose games. However, Duke ran into a one-person wrecking crew named Jalon Daniels. Heisman voters need to take note now of Daniels’ skills.

Anytime the Blue Devils got close, Daniels would make a key play. His counterpart, Riley Leonard, played well for Duke. As the Blue Devils go into ACC play, buyer beware.

5. Syracuse Orange (4-0, 2-0)

The Orange have found a way to win for two weeks in a row. Syracuse’s win-luck is the complete opposite of what it was last season. The field goals are falling this season, like in their win against Virginia. If head coach Dino Babers has one concern, it would have to be that defenses have figured out how to contain Sean Tucker.

Garrett Shrader has bailed Syracuse out in two games in a row. Can the Orange rely on Shrader to carry them for an entire season?

4. No. 22 Pittsburgh Panthers (3-1)

The Pitt Panthers were the lone ACC Coastal team to log a win this weekend, a 45-24 win over the Rhode Island Rams. Head coach Pat Narduzzi got to play the type of game he wanted. The Panthers ran the football 41 times for 271 yards, led by running back Israel Abanikanda, who had 177 yards on the ground.

Pitt might be the best team in the coastal once again, playing a completely different style than last season. Pitt has a chance to qualify that claim with winnable games against Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech in the next two weeks.

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