ACC football power rankings: Have UNC, Bill Belichick figured things out?
Eddie Timanus, USA TODAYTue, October 20, 2026 at 8:51 AM UTC
On a wild Saturday night at Hard Rock Stadium, we were one play away from seeing the ACC season turning upside down. The Miami Hurricanes survived, however, and remain on the top rung of the ACC ladder.
Our power rankings get shuffled a little farther down the standings after some surprising results across the league. But the top three contenders maintain their spots.
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1. Miami (6-0)
Last week: 1.
This week: Pittsburgh.
What to know: For the first time all season, the Hurricanes’ offense looked out of sorts for lengthy stretches against Florida State. Malachi Toney and Co. delivered when they needed to, of course, and if that was Miami’s bad game then that’s bad news for the rest of the league.
2. Wake Forest (6-1)
Last week: 2.
This week: Open date.
What to know: Gio Lopez unlocked another weapon in the passing game in Berkeley as freshman TE Dominick Barry notched a TD hat trick. The Nov. 14 visit to SMU could be for a spot in the ACC championship game.
3. SMU (5-1)
Last week: 3.
This week: California.
What to know: The Mustangs still have a negative turnover margin overall, but Kevin Jennings has done better with ball security of late. The SMU pass defense has been sound, but the Golden Bears could challenge the secondary more this week.
4. Clemson (4-2)
Last week: 6.
This week: Virginia Tech.
What to know: It seemed like a long shot after Week 1, but with a victory against the Hokies the remainder of Clemson’s schedule sets up well to achieve 10 wins. The Tigers finally have a couple of touchdown passes, but much will still be asked of the defense.
5. North Carolina (4-2)
Last week: 7.
This week: Syracuse.
What to know: Unfortunately for the Tar Heels they already have a head-to-head loss to Clemson, with whom they share a similar formula for success as currently constructed. The passing game has shown a bit more flash in recent outings, which will likely continue against the downtrodden Orange.
6. Louisville (4-3)
Last week: 8.
This week: Open date.
What to know: The remaining Cardinals’ ACC slate is manageable, with the possible exception of a trip to UNC, but they’re going to need help to play for the league title. The magic number for the defense seems to be 30; opponents who reach that point total are 3-0 against Louisville, while the Cards are unbeaten against teams that don’t.
7. Virginia Tech (5-2)
Last week: 9.
This week: At Clemson.
What to know: The Hokies got back in the win column against Georgia Tech, but the two-game skid left them behind the proverbial 8-ball in the ACC race. Virginia Tech’s last win against Clemson came in 2007, a “Beamerball” special of a win that featured TDs via interception return, punt return and kickoff return by the Hokies.
8. Pitt (5-2)
Last week: 4.
This week: At Miami.
What to know: As Pitt fans feared, the loss of QB Mason Heintschel to a season-ending knee injury has derailed the team’s early momentum. Miami is not the destination of choice for a get-right game.
9. Duke (4-2)
Last week: 5.
This week: At Virginia.
What to know: The first contest in a Friday night conference doubleheader is certainly the more compelling matchup, with both teams in desperate need of a win. The Blue Devils must hope standout RB Nate Sheppard, who has been playing through a sore ankle, can be at full speed with a short week.
10. Virginia (4-3)
Last week: 12.
This week: Duke
What to know: The Cavaliers’ offense was stuck in neutral at SMU, much as it was in Tallahassee a few weeks earlier. Beau Pribula to his credit has only been intercepted once all season but has had little time to find targets.
11. Florida State (3-4)
Last week: 10.
This week: Open date.
What to know: FSU fans aren’t especially interested in moral victories, but the showing against Miami at least demonstrated there’s still talent on the roster. The coming Halloween home date with Clemson will make or break the remainder of the campaign.
More: Mike Norvell blasts ‘absolute joke’ penalty in FSU’s loss to Miami
12. Boston College (3-3)
Last week: 15.
This week: At Georgia Tech.
What to know: Mason McKenzie still has as many interceptions (seven) as TD passes, but he’s hitting more big plays as his acclamation to Division I ball continues in real time. With Notre Dame and Miami still ahead on the slate, this is a game the Eagles must have to keep bowl hopes alive.
13. NC State (3-3)
Last week: 13.
This week: At Stanford.
What to know: The Wolfpack are at least rested as they embark on this cross-country trip for the Friday nightcap. There are winnable games ahead, but State needs to start with this one to reach bowl eligibility.
More: Former NC State football coach, FSU assistant Chuck Amato dies at 80
14. Cal (3-4)
Last week: 11.
This week: At SMU.
What to know: The Golden Bears can take some solace in the fact that they haven’t been the only ones to be on the business end of a Wake Forest thumping. QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele is cleared to play, but his second-half insertion with the game out of reach was curious.
15. Georgia Tech (2-4)
Last week: 14.
This week: Boston College.
What to know: There are signs of life for the Yellow Jackets, but even with a win here a bowl bid is likely out of reach give a game against Georgia comes in the regular-season finale. Alberto Mendoza has managed a respectable 71.2% completion rate despite being under pressure most of the time.
16. Stanford (3-4)
Last week: 17.
This week: NC State.
What to know: The Cardinal took advantage of a needed tuneup against Elon. Unfortunately, they have only one more home date after this one, so getting to six wins remains an uphill climb.
17. Syracuse (2-4)
Last week: 16.
This week: At North Carolina.
What to know: About the only silver lining for the Orange is they’re still finding ways to move the ball. The well-traveled Malachi Nelson will retain the QB reins, but keeping signal callers healthy has been a major challenge.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: ACC football power rankings: Have UNC, Bill Belichick figured things out?
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