With two weeks now on the books, the ACC has finally given us a cleaner look at the league. Every team has played twice, which means the first real sorting can begin. There’s still a long way to go, and plenty can change, but the early picture is starting to take shape.
Miami sits alone at the top after a weekend that featured a ridiculous offensive outburst. It came against an FCS opponent, but the Hurricanes still piled up more than 800 yards, and that kind of production is hard to ignore.
SMU holds the No. 2 spot after taking care of UC Davis 56-10. The Mustangs also got a comfortable win over FCS competition, and they’re about to face one of the more intriguing games on the schedule.
Virginia lands at No. 3 after beating Norfolk State 59-3. Like Miami and SMU, the Cavaliers spent the weekend doing what they were supposed to do against an FCS team, and they did it in convincing fashion.
Louisville checks in at No. 4 after a 59-13 win over Villanova. The Cardinals have answered their opening loss to Ole Miss with a strong rebound, and now they turn right around into a Saturday matchup with SMU.
Virginia Tech comes in at No. 5 after beating Old Dominion 44-21. The Hokies had a couple turnovers and gave up more offense than they probably wanted, but the game never really felt in doubt.
Duke is next at No. 6 after edging Illinois 31-27. The ACC had a solid week against Big Ten teams, and Duke was part of that run, even if the opponent caveat matters. The Blue Devils now move on to Stanford on Saturday.
Wake Forest sits at No. 7 after pulling out a 38-36 overtime win over Purdue. That result gave the ACC another win over the Big Ten.
Pitt follows at No. 8 after a 12-7 win over UCF. At one point, the Panthers were ahead 5-0, which is exactly the kind of scoreline that stands out when you’re talking about a Pitt game.
North Carolina is No. 9 after beating East Tennessee State 35-3. It was a solid win, though the margin could have been even bigger. The Tar Heels now head to Clemson on Saturday.
NC State is at No. 10 after steamrolling Richmond 73-0. The Wolfpack needed a response after the Week 0 loss to Virginia, and that was about as loud a reply as you can ask for.
Florida State sits at No. 11 after a bye. The Seminoles had the week off after playing in Weeks 0 and 1, and now they head to Alabama on Saturday.
Clemson lands at No. 12 after beating Georgia Southern 22-7. The Tigers got the win, but there’s not much in their first two games that makes a strong case for them right now, even if they may still be the pick against UNC this week. That matchup is set for Saturday in Clemson.
Cal comes in at No. 13 after edging Syracuse 21-18. It wasn’t flashy, but it counts in the league standings, and the Bears have a conference win in hand. They’ll host Wagner on Saturday.
Georgia Tech is No. 14 after a 45-24 loss to Tennessee. Both defeats have come against power conference opponents, and there’s a sense they’ll finish much higher than this, but the record is what it is for now.
Boston College checks in at No. 15 after beating Rutgers 28-21. The Eagles were the final ACC team to knock off a Big Ten opponent, and Rutgers may end up being the weakest power conference team around.
Syracuse is No. 16 after falling to Cal 21-18. Three interceptions at home against another team that doesn’t look especially strong is a tough one to absorb.
Stanford rounds out the list at No. 17 after a bye week. The Cardinal didn’t get a chance to move up, but they do have a couple of chances coming soon.
In Other News...
Bill Belichick's Viral UNC Interview Just Added To A Growing Problem
Bill Belichicks arrival in Chapel Hill was always going to bring a national spotlight, and UNC has gotten plenty of it since he took over on a five-year deal. The first season was a rough one, with the Tar Heels finishing 4-8, but the new year has at least opened with some signs of life, including a recent win over East Tennessee State that gave the program a small lift after a difficult debut.
Still, the attention around the program has not been limited to what is happening on the field. UNC is dealing with an internal human resources investigation, and the ripple effects have already been felt in the building, with general manager Michael Lombardi resigning and defensive coordinator Steve Belichick on medical leave. For a program trying to steady itself under a high-profile coach, the off-field backdrop has only made the next steps more complicated. [Read more 🡒]
UNC Football Now Faces A Troubling Availability Question Before Saturday
Four North Carolina football players were involved in a traffic stop in Chapel Hill this week, adding another layer of uncertainty to a Tar Heels program already trying to sort out its availability picture for Saturday. During the stop, one player was arrested on a misdemeanor gun charge and another was cited for speeding, while marijuana was also seized, according to the facts available. The university has said it is cooperating with officials and has not yet announced any disciplinary action.
What matters most for the Tar Heels now is how the situation filters into game day preparation. Two of the players involved are already listed as unavailable for the upcoming game, leaving UNC to manage the on-field ripple effects while the off-field review plays out. For a team trying to keep its focus on the next matchup, the timing is far from ideal, and there is still an open question about whether the availability list will change again before Saturday. [Read more 🡒]
Tar Heels Suddenly Have A Roster Fight That Could Change This Season
A new eligibility fight has put several Tar Heels back in the middle of the NCAAs shifting rules, with Rece Verhoff, Ryleigh Heck, Dani Mendez and Sietske Brning joining an amended complaint in Monroe Circuit Court. The case is centered on the NCAAs new five-for-five age-based model, and the players are asking for a fifth season after arguing that athletes from the high school Class of 2022 who played four straight seasons without redshirting were left out of the extra-year window.
What makes the case worth watching from North Carolinas side is the timing. The court has already taken testimony on a preliminary injunction request, and the ruling is still pending, leaving the Tar Heels in a holding pattern as the season picture comes into focus. For a program trying to sort out its roster and its competitive ceiling, this is the kind of off-court development that can ripple quickly once a decision finally lands. [Read more 🡒]