Updated ACC Rankings
By: Roy Philpott
1. No. 11 BOSTON COLLEGE (4-0, 3-0)
The Eagles have established they have the best quarterback in the league and one of the best in the country in Matt Ryan. Three cupcakes are on the schedule next in Massachusetts, Bowling Green and at Notre Dame before things get interesting. Boston College should be 7-0 traveling to Blacksburg, Va. for a Thursday night game on Oct. 25. This team is clearly worthy of a top 10 ranking as "Jags" has them rolling in Chestnut Hill.
2. No. 13 CLEMSON (4-0, 2-0)
QB Cullen Harper is making believers out of Clemson fans after throwing 12 touchdowns and no interceptions in his first four games as a starter. The competition gets tougher the next two weeks at Georgia Tech and at home against Virginia Tech. The Tigers and Eagles appear to be headed towards an Atlantic Division showdown in Death Valley on Nov. 17 but much work needs to be done on both teams before that talk becomes legitimate ... and don't sleep on Wake Forest.
3. No. 14 VIRGINIA TECH (3-1, 0-0)
The Hokies finally emerged from their earlier season slump in jumping out to a 44-3 halftime lead over William & Mary. The question remains: how good is QB Tyrod Taylor? He'll need to be good in a hurry on Oct. 6 if Tech plans on beating Clemson. This is still a team that could win the ACC and finish among the top 10 teams in America this year. Yes, LSU is that good.
4. MIAMI (3-1, 0-0)
The Hurricanes jump up our rankings after an impressive spanking of Texas A&M last Thursday night. For the first time in his college career, QB Kyle Wright looked like the five-star prospect he was coming out of high school. While there are still holes, this is starting to look like an eight win team that could be worthy of top 25 consideration. The next two weeks will help build confidence as the 'Canes face off with cellar-dwellars Duke and North Carolina.
5. FLORIDA STATE (2-1, 0-1)
After a close loss to Clemson, the 'Noles have figured out a way to win their next two games. A semi-home game this weekend in Jacksonville against Alabama will tell us a lot about this team and its direction for the year. The bad news is LB Geno Hayes and FB Joe Surratt have been suspended after a bar room fight this weekend and the upcoming schedule is extremely difficult the second half of the season: at Wake, at B.C., at Virginia Tech and at Florida- ouch.
6. VIRGINIA (3-1, 3-0)
After getting romped on the road by Wyoming in their season opener, the Cavs find themselves in the driver's seat of the Coastal Division with a 3-0 league record. QB Jameel Sewell still appears shaky, but he is coming off his best game after completing 16-of-25 passes for 177 yards and the game-winning touchdown. Still, this team will have to depend on end Chris Long and the defense to keep it up. A friendly schedule the next three weeks could help pad the record (Pitt, at Middle Tenn. State, Connecticut).
7. WAKE FOREST (2-2, 1-1)
Don't sleep on the Deacs. After a miracle win against Maryland, the schedule sets up nicely with a road game at Duke, Florida State at home followed by at Navy, North Carolina and at Virginia. Don't be surprised to see Jim Grobe and company 7-2 coming to Clemson in mid-November. Riley Skinner gives this team a chance, regardless of the game or deficit - just look at what happened Saturday at Groves Stadium. Admit it, you still don't believe in this program do you?
8. GEORGIA TECH (2-2, 0-2)
After roaring out of the gates to a 2-0 start, the Yellow Jackets have come crashing back down to earth with losses to Boston College and Virginia. Injuries to Tashard Choice, James Johnson and Djay Jones have hurt but QB Taylor Bennett has also struggled putting together big plays in the passing game. An upset over Clemson Saturday would put the Jackets back on track.
9. MARYLAND (2-2, 1-1)
After Saturday's demise in Winston-Salem, the Terps are well on their way to the bottom of the Atlantic Division where they belong. This team has no offense and will continue to be exposed throughout the 2007 season. The next three games against Rutgers (away), Georgia Tech (home) and Virginia (home) will all be losses. Too bad old Ralph can't schedule Florida International and Villanova every week.
10. N.C. STATE (1-3, 0-2)
The transition from Chuck Amato to Tom O'Brien will have more bumps on the road than previously thought. If the Wolfpack had a decent quarterback on its roster, that would quickly change. N.C. State is looking 4-8 squarely in the face.
11. DUKE (1-3, 0-1)
The Blue Devils beat Northwestern on the road and should have beaten Navy this past weekend to break the nation's longest losing streak at 22 games. We'll give the Blue Devils the edge over North Carolina ... but just barely.
12. NORTH CAROLINA (1-3, 0-1)
Face it Butch, your team isn't very good. The offense has flair, but the defense couldn't stop 0-4 Notre Dame from putting up 45.
1. No. 11 BOSTON COLLEGE (4-0, 3-0)
The Eagles have established they have the best quarterback in the league and one of the best in the country in Matt Ryan. Three cupcakes are on the schedule next in Massachusetts, Bowling Green and at Notre Dame before things get interesting. Boston College should be 7-0 traveling to Blacksburg, Va. for a Thursday night game on Oct. 25. This team is clearly worthy of a top 10 ranking as "Jags" has them rolling in Chestnut Hill.
2. No. 13 CLEMSON (4-0, 2-0)
QB Cullen Harper is making believers out of Clemson fans after throwing 12 touchdowns and no interceptions in his first four games as a starter. The competition gets tougher the next two weeks at Georgia Tech and at home against Virginia Tech. The Tigers and Eagles appear to be headed towards an Atlantic Division showdown in Death Valley on Nov. 17 but much work needs to be done on both teams before that talk becomes legitimate ... and don't sleep on Wake Forest.
3. No. 14 VIRGINIA TECH (3-1, 0-0)
The Hokies finally emerged from their earlier season slump in jumping out to a 44-3 halftime lead over William & Mary. The question remains: how good is QB Tyrod Taylor? He'll need to be good in a hurry on Oct. 6 if Tech plans on beating Clemson. This is still a team that could win the ACC and finish among the top 10 teams in America this year. Yes, LSU is that good.
4. MIAMI (3-1, 0-0)
The Hurricanes jump up our rankings after an impressive spanking of Texas A&M last Thursday night. For the first time in his college career, QB Kyle Wright looked like the five-star prospect he was coming out of high school. While there are still holes, this is starting to look like an eight win team that could be worthy of top 25 consideration. The next two weeks will help build confidence as the 'Canes face off with cellar-dwellars Duke and North Carolina.
5. FLORIDA STATE (2-1, 0-1)
After a close loss to Clemson, the 'Noles have figured out a way to win their next two games. A semi-home game this weekend in Jacksonville against Alabama will tell us a lot about this team and its direction for the year. The bad news is LB Geno Hayes and FB Joe Surratt have been suspended after a bar room fight this weekend and the upcoming schedule is extremely difficult the second half of the season: at Wake, at B.C., at Virginia Tech and at Florida- ouch.
6. VIRGINIA (3-1, 3-0)
After getting romped on the road by Wyoming in their season opener, the Cavs find themselves in the driver's seat of the Coastal Division with a 3-0 league record. QB Jameel Sewell still appears shaky, but he is coming off his best game after completing 16-of-25 passes for 177 yards and the game-winning touchdown. Still, this team will have to depend on end Chris Long and the defense to keep it up. A friendly schedule the next three weeks could help pad the record (Pitt, at Middle Tenn. State, Connecticut).
7. WAKE FOREST (2-2, 1-1)
Don't sleep on the Deacs. After a miracle win against Maryland, the schedule sets up nicely with a road game at Duke, Florida State at home followed by at Navy, North Carolina and at Virginia. Don't be surprised to see Jim Grobe and company 7-2 coming to Clemson in mid-November. Riley Skinner gives this team a chance, regardless of the game or deficit - just look at what happened Saturday at Groves Stadium. Admit it, you still don't believe in this program do you?
8. GEORGIA TECH (2-2, 0-2)
After roaring out of the gates to a 2-0 start, the Yellow Jackets have come crashing back down to earth with losses to Boston College and Virginia. Injuries to Tashard Choice, James Johnson and Djay Jones have hurt but QB Taylor Bennett has also struggled putting together big plays in the passing game. An upset over Clemson Saturday would put the Jackets back on track.
9. MARYLAND (2-2, 1-1)
After Saturday's demise in Winston-Salem, the Terps are well on their way to the bottom of the Atlantic Division where they belong. This team has no offense and will continue to be exposed throughout the 2007 season. The next three games against Rutgers (away), Georgia Tech (home) and Virginia (home) will all be losses. Too bad old Ralph can't schedule Florida International and Villanova every week.
10. N.C. STATE (1-3, 0-2)
The transition from Chuck Amato to Tom O'Brien will have more bumps on the road than previously thought. If the Wolfpack had a decent quarterback on its roster, that would quickly change. N.C. State is looking 4-8 squarely in the face.
11. DUKE (1-3, 0-1)
The Blue Devils beat Northwestern on the road and should have beaten Navy this past weekend to break the nation's longest losing streak at 22 games. We'll give the Blue Devils the edge over North Carolina ... but just barely.
12. NORTH CAROLINA (1-3, 0-1)
Face it Butch, your team isn't very good. The offense has flair, but the defense couldn't stop 0-4 Notre Dame from putting up 45.
posted by Roy Philpott @ 11:02 AM
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