#goacc Power Rankings Week 2

1. Clemson (1-0) Last Week 1
Result: (W 38-35 vs. Georgia)
This Week: vs. South Carolina State

The prime time game this week between Clemson and Georgia actually lived up t the hype. We started off by witnessing one of the greatest entrances you will ever see. I watched every down of this game and it was truly a pleasure to watch. Clemson demonstrated a lot of explosion offensively and Sammy Watkins looks to be back to freshman form. Tajh Boyd was nothing short of sensational in this game and made himself an early candidate for the Heisman Trophy. Roderick "B-button" McDowell had a coming out party as he gained 132 yards on 22 carries. This was a huge win for Clemson and the ACC. Clemson is deserving of the number one spot after back-to-back wins over top ten SEC schools.

2. Florida State (1-0) Last Week 2
Result: (W 41-13 at Pittsburgh)
This Week: BYE

Jameis Winston might be better than advertised. I've also heard reports that his name rhymes with famous, but I could be wrong. The ESPN hype machine will make certain that he gets advertised after his brilliant Labor Day performance. I know Pitt was playing soft coverage and that his receivers are superior athletes, but he was still highly impressive. I loved this kid coming out of high school (who didn't?) and he did not disappoint when the lights were on. I already can't wait for their game against Clemson on October 19th. Something tells me Game Day will be making another trip to Death Valley on that day.

3. Miami (1-0) Last Week 3
Result: (W 34-6 vs. Florida Atlantic)
This Week: vs. Florida

Duke. Johnson. I know it's just Florida Atlantic, but the man had 186 rushing yards while averaging nearly 10 yards/carry. They out-gained Florida Atlantic by 250 yards, but the Hurricanes did commit 8 penalties for 67 penalty yards. Miami is going to have to be more disciplined moving forward. Next week they take on the Florida Gators in what promises to be an excellent in-state matchup. Obviously it has no ACC implications, but it will tell us just how close "The U" is to being back.

4. Georgia Tech (1-0) Last Week 5
Result: (W 70-0 vs. Elon)
This Week: BYE

Georgia Tech just scored another touchdown while you were reading this sentence. It looked like Paul Johnson was looking to break his school's record when Georgia Tech beat Cumberland 222-0. Vad Lee was a star as he finished with three total touchdowns on the afternoon. I'm not exactly sure, however, what he was doing in the game up 56-0 in the third quarter. They have a bye next week before a four game stretch of conference games that will go a long way in determining who wins the Coastal. The Yellow Jackets certainly have a shot.

5. North Carolina (0-1) Last Week 4
Result: (L 10-27 at South Carolina)
This Week: vs. Middle Tennessee

Just watch the replay of this clipping of Jadeveon Clowney and tell me what you think. Larry Fedora said he felt that RT Kiaro Holts had no idea who he was clipping after he was "beat bad" on the play and also didn't know the ball had been thrown. This is according to Lauren Brownlow, whom I recommend you all should follow. That's simply a Clowney question, bro. Outside of that play and despite Jadeveon Clowney's apparent "lack of conditioning" the Tar Heels still lost by 17 points, although, they did almost hit the #BACKDOORCOVER in the closing minute of play. Bryn Renner simply must play better to make up for the loss of Gio Bernard.

6. Maryland (1-0) Last Week 9
Result (W 43-10 vs. Florida International)
This Week: vs. Old Dominion

Perhaps more important than Maryland's 40 first half points on Saturday was the fact that C.J. Brown did not get hurt. Maryland put on a show offensively as C.J. Brown had five total touchdowns and nearly 400 yards of total offense. The wide receiver tandem of Stefon Diggs and Deon Long combined for over 208 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Their next three games are against Old Dominion, UConn and West Virginia, respectively. Watch out now, but Maryland could easily be 4-0 headed into their October 5th matchup with Florida State.

7. Wake Forest (1-0) Last Week 6
Result: (W 31-7 vs. Presbyterian)
This Week: at Boston College

The jury is still out on this new offense to say the least. It didn't look like the smoothest operation in the world, but the Deacs were without star slot receiver Michael Campanaro. He should return this Friday when the Deacs take on Boston College, so the it's probably more appropriate to wait until after that game to comment much on the offense. The defense was as good as advertised. If you take out a fluke 66 yard run on Presbyterian's first series, then they did not even manage 90 yards of total offense. The Deacs forced 6 turnovers including a 29-yard touchdown return from Brandon Chubb. This week's game is huge. Not only is #TheRivalry here, but because it will go a long way towards bowl eligibility for the Deacs.

8. Virginia Tech (0-1) Last Week 7
Result: (L 35-10 vs. Alabama)
This Week: vs. Western Carolina

I'm not even sure Logan Thomas deserves a "good job, good effort" this week. I know it's Alabama and Nick Saban, but Thomas had a QBR of 1.9. Not 19. 1.9. He was 5-26 for 59 yards and an interception. I don't care if he was going against the '85 Bears. It was an embarrassing performance to say the least. I know he doesn't have much talent, but come on. Thomas had an accuracy issue last season, and he didn't do anything on Saturday to show that that issue has been corrected. Their defense was actually very solid when you consider that 21 of Bama's 35 points were scored while they were either on special teams or defense. This team is going to have to dramatically improve its offense if they want to contend for a Coastal Division title.

9. Pittsburgh (0-1) Last Week 8
Result: (L 13-41 vs. Florida State)
This Week: BYE

They had a strong opening drive and that's about all you can say. Tom Savage wasn't overly impressive at quarterback and will have to cut down his turnovers. Devin Street continued to show why he has had such a productive career. For his career Street has more than 150 receptions and 2,000 yards. Their schedule is not easy and this team is looking at a ceiling of six wins.

10. North Carolina State (1-0) Last Week 10
Result (W 40-14 vs. Louisiana Tech)
This Week: vs. Richmond

Head Coach Dave Doeren got off to a 1-0 start in his tenure at State as the Wolfpack rolled over the Bulldogs of Louisiana Tech. Unfortunately for the Wolfpack they did not come away completely healthy as they lost quarterback Brandon Mitchell to a foot injury. He's expected to be out for 4-6 weeks. Doeren shouldn't lose too much sleep this week given that they take on Richmond next, but after that Clemson comes to town. Their 26 point margin of victory was definitely a positive sign and I think they could sneak into bowl eligibility.

11. Duke (1-0) Last Week 11
Result: (W 45-0 vs. NC Central)
This Week: at Memphis

It is worth pointing out that NC Central was 201st according to Sagarin last season, but 45-0 was still an impressive performance by the Blue Devils. They out-gained NC Central by 300 yards and only allowed 184 total yards on defense. Anthony Boone is an intriguing dual-threat quarterback who is difficult to prepare for and should frustrate ACC defensive coordinators. This team could easily go 4-0 in their non-conference schedule, but a bowl appearance is still not a given.

12. Virginia (1-0) Last Week 12
Result: (W 19-16 vs. BYU)
This Week: vs. Oregon

It was by no means the prettiest of performances for Virginia this past weekend. In fact, they were the first FBS team this century when punting 13 or more times. A main reason they punted 13 times was that quarterback David Watford had a QBR of 19.2. I'm really not sure how they won to be honest. They had 7 fewer first downs, 140 fewer yards, equivalent penalty yards, and one more turnover. The scoreboard was kind to Virginia, but not much else. Next week Oregon comes to town and that could get very ugly, very quickly. Virginia is going to struggle to become bowl eligible this season.

13. Syracuse (0-1) Last Week 14
Result: (L23-17 vs. Penn State)
This Week: at Northwestern

Syracuse put forth a much better effort against Penn State than I anticipated. Drew Allen, however, is simply going to have to play better. He completed just 43% of his passes with 2 interceptions and had a QBR of just 17.6 (out of 100). Next week only gets harder as the Orange take on the Northwestern Wildcats in a battle between two of the premier journalism programs in the country. It's not looking likely that this team will return to a bowl this season.

14. Boston College (1-0) Last Week 13
Result: (W 24-14 vs. Villanova)
This Week: vs. Wake Forest

First off, if you didn't see this game, then you must check out this play. I felt like I was watching Little Giants when they ran The Annexation of Puerto Rico. This week comes another classic installment of #TheRivalry between Boston College and Wake Forest. I know shots have been fired with my ranking of them this week, but their defense has to get better. They allowed Villanova to get 17 first downs and average 5.5 yards/carry. This upcoming game will be a measuring stick game for both teams.