ACC Football Power Rankings: 2024 Week 3

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – We’re only two weeks into the 2024 college football season, and already we’re witnessing chaos in the ACC.

There’s been no change at the very top of the conference, but beyond the top three in the league, there’s been a lot of positional shuffling. Some teams are pushing into the top half of the conference, while others are seeing their status slip. And we haven’t even gotten to the meat of ACC play yet.

So where does the conference stand after two weeks of football? Check out our Week 3 ACC Power Rankings below:

It’s easy to look like a giant against a team like FAMU, but man, Miami looks like a real giant. QB Cam Ward could be an early Heisman Trophy candidate, their running game looks great, and their defense is ferocious. Again, they didn’t play a super-strong defense, but they got the job done.

Speaking of getting the job done, that’s what Louisville has done against inferior competition so far. Jax State had a little momentum in the second quarter, but other than that, the Cardinals have blown away the Gamecocks in every way. If QB Tyler Shough stays healthy, this is a team that has the makings of a conference title contender.

It’s clear that Clemson was venting its anger after Georgia’s loss to poor App State. The Tigers took a 42-0 lead in just *17* minutes on the field, and this offense looked like they were trying to prove something. It’s just App State, but if Clemson can get QB Cade Klubnik and company playing like that consistently, they’ll easily win the ACC

Yes, Boston College played an FCS team. But fresh off a huge top-10 win, the Eagles didn’t rest on their laurels and put their foot down on Duquesne. QB Thomas Castellanos is a big play waiting to happen, and this defense continues to look much better.

Well, Georgia Tech’s time in the AP Top 25 certainly didn’t last long. It was shocking to see their high-powered offense struggle as much as they did, especially on the ground. Even more surprising was the fact that the defense – which had looked improved in the first two weeks of the season – was completely cut up.

Thank goodness for a week off, because Florida State certainly had to do some soul-searching after its 0-2 start. Alarm bells are already going off in Tallahassee, but if the Noles somehow have trouble with Mike Norvell’s old team in Memphis, it really is time to sound the alarm.

I’ll be honest, I really thought SMU would be much better in its first year in the ACC. Their defense is okay, but this offense – especially the offensive line – looks awful to start the year. I’m especially surprised by Preston Stone’s apparent lack of confidence.

On the other hand, new ACC teammate Cal looked much better than I expected. Even with their best player Jayden Ott out, QB Fernando Mendoza and the Golden Bears defense were able to make up for it and pull off an impressive road win over top-25 Auburn. Forcing five turnovers is an incredible feat that deserves recognition.

I didn’t know what to think of Syracuse after their first game with Ohio State (not State). After beating Georgia Tech, one thing is for sure: QB Kyle McCord can THROW, and the rest of this offense looks dangerous. Now if only they could work on their defense and special teams.

God, NC State. I understand that Tennessee has the ingredients to potentially make a push for the College Football Playoff. But there are no words to describe the Wolfpack’s performance – on both sides of the ball – other than bland. QB Grayson McCall doesn’t look ready for P4, and this defense looks sluggish.

UNC just can’t avoid injuries. First QB Max Johnson is out for the season, then RB Omarion Hampton suffers a leg injury against Charlotte. At least new QB Conner Harrell looks solid, and their defense seems okay for now. Time will tell what their ceiling is.

Virginia Tech could win this game, but don’t let the final score fool you. They were neck and neck with Marshall until the final minutes of the third quarter and needed RB Bhaysul Tuten and QB Kyron Drones to flip a switch in the second half to pull away. The Hokies were a hot pick for the ACC dark horse, but at this rate will they finish in the top half of the league?

It definitely wasn’t the prettiest game, but a win is a win. QB Maalik Murphy played a huge role in the Blue Devils finding a way to win, but someone on offense besides WR Jordan Moore will have to step up. Especially if RB Jaquez Moore has to miss time.

As they say, it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish. Just losing by 21 points to *that* Cincinnati team is awful, but kudos to Pitt for finding a way to come back. QB Eli Holstein and RB Desmond Reid seem comfortable running the offense, they just need to get their defense in order if they want to win any games in the ACC.

Virginia is in the same boat as Pitt. They’re probably a team that won’t win much this year, and they might even fire their coach, but they deserve credit for overcoming a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit on the road. QB Anthony Colandrea is an exciting, if flawed, player to watch.

Stanford may not have many wins this season (thanks to both its schedule and its team), so enjoy this one. QB Ashton Daniels and the Cardinal offense as a whole have looked good, but Stanford has received surprising support from its defense and special teams. Which will likely be a rarity.

Wake Forest’s offense? Looks pretty good after QB Hank Bachmeier and RB Demon Claiborne got pretty much everything they wanted. The problem? The Demon Deacons’ defense is stinking and single-handedly gave up a two-point lead in the fourth.

(Photo courtesy of John Reed – Imagn Images)

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