Virginia wasted no time making a statement in the ACC’s first weekend of action, while NC State landed on the other end of the spectrum in a lopsided opening that sent the power rankings tumbling.
The Cavaliers now sit alone at the top after their dismantling of NC State, a performance that stood out as the best showing from any team in the limited week zero slate. Virginia looked every bit like a College Football Playoff team in the way it controlled the game on both sides of the ball, and that kind of proven sample gives the Cavaliers even more weight heading into the rest of the season.
NC State, meanwhile, is stuck at the bottom after looking completely unprepared against Virginia. The Wolfpack’s rough start was bad enough to drag them below several teams that did not even play, and the only thing keeping them from sinking further is the belief that this is still a talented team with bigger goals. Even so, the message from week zero was clear: NC State should bounce back, but it probably will not look as out of sorts again.
Elsewhere, Stanford opened with a 37-27 home win over Hawaii, but the Cardinal did little to answer the biggest concerns surrounding the team. The defense was shaky enough to raise serious questions, and the overall picture suggests Stanford could be headed for the ACC basement this year.
Florida State also left plenty unresolved. The Seminoles led New Mexico State by only 27-17 with five minutes left before pulling away to a 34-17 win at home.
That result came with Florida State favored by more than 30 points, and it did not exactly calm concerns about the quarterback spot or the defense. A win still counts, but the performance was far from convincing.
North Carolina had a better weekend than many expected, grinding out a defensive win over TCU in Ireland. The Tar Heels’ offense still looked stuck in the mud, but the overall team performance suggested real progress. There is hope there, though plenty remains to be proven.
Among the teams that did not play, several moved only because of NC State’s collapse. Wake Forest, Virginia Tech and Duke all benefited from the Wolfpack’s bad showing.
Wake Forest’s next game is Thursday against Akron. Virginia Tech’s next game is Saturday against VMI, and Duke’s next game is Saturday against Tulane.
The rest of the league mostly held steady. No game, no change for Stanford, Florida State, Miami, Syracuse, Clemson, Pittsburgh and Louisville, with Stanford set to face Cincinnati on Saturday, Florida State hosting New Hampshire on Saturday, Miami playing UCLA on Saturday, Syracuse going to Ole Miss in Nashville, Tenn. on Sunday, Clemson hosting Colorado on Thursday, Pittsburgh hosting Miami (OH) on Saturday, and Louisville visiting Florida State on Monday.
Virginia’s rise to first place and NC State’s plunge to last set the tone for a rankings board that already looks volatile after just one weekend.
In Other News...
Florida State Won But One Worry Still Looks Very Real
Week 0 gave Virginia plenty to feel good about, and the Cavaliers made a clean early statement in their 34-8 win over NC State. The offense moved the ball with purpose, the defense kept the Wolfpack from ever finding a rhythm, and the opener had the kind of shape every team wants in late August when everyone is trying to figure out what is real and what is just opening-night noise.
Beau Pribula was a big part of why it looked so comfortable. The transfer quarterback settled in quickly in his Virginia debut, giving the Cavaliers a steady hand at the most important position while also adding another layer to the run game. For a team trying to build on a strong first impression, the performance offered a promising blueprint, even if the real test will come when the schedule starts demanding that Virginia show it can keep that level for longer stretches. [Read more 🡒]
Virginia Just Gave Fans A Reason To Believe Again
Virginias win over NC State had the feel of a checkpoint as much as a celebration, the kind of result that can change the way a season is viewed in Charlottesville. A 34-8 finish, paired with a strong showing on both sides of the ball, gave the Cavaliers their first home victory over the Wolfpack since 2006 and offered a convincing reminder that this team may be more than just a pleasant story early in the year.
Beau Pribula was right in the middle of it, piling up yards with his legs and arm while helping steady an offense that looked in control for much of the night. With the defense matching that energy, Virginia suddenly has something it has been missing in recent seasons: a believable path toward competing in the ACC race, and perhaps even a larger postseason conversation if this level of play holds up. [Read more 🡒]
Charles Huff Gave Memphis Fans A Reason To Believe Early
Week 0 gave Virginia a useful early snapshot of where it stands under Tony Elliott, and the opener against NC State was as encouraging as the Cavaliers could have hoped for. Virginia came out of the gate with authority, looking organized and sharp in a game that quickly separated it from some of the more uneven performances around the country, including close calls and shaky showings elsewhere on the opening weekend.
Elsewhere in the ACC and beyond, the early season also offered a reminder that first impressions can matter a great deal, especially for programs trying to reset their tone. Memphis, with Charles Huff in charge, gave its fans reasons to buy in right away with a promising debut, and Virginia will know that the next step is turning one strong start into something more durable once the season settles in. [Read more 🡒]