Power Ranking ACC Teams After Week 8: A New Top Team, Miami Stumbles, and Florida State Freefalls

Miami looked like it had the ACC locked up, but now it’s wide open. Georgia Tech is the last undefeated team and has a favorable schedule to run the table. Florida State continues to slide, having gone a full calendar year without a conference win.

1. Georgia Tech (7-0, 4-0)

Haynes King has the Yellow Jackets rolling as the ACC’s highest-ranked team at No. 7 and the only unbeaten left. Their game against Duke was tied 10-10 entering the fourth quarter before Georgia Tech pulled away with 17 straight points.

2. Miami (5-1, 1-1)

Miami looked like a national-title contender all year until Friday night. Carson Beck had the worst game of his career, throwing four interceptions, including one with under a minute left. Freshman WR Malachi Toney was a bright spot with 9 catches for 135 yards. Despite the loss, Miami remains talented enough to compete for both the ACC crown and a CFP berth.

3. Louisville (5-1, 2-1)

The Cardinals pulled off one of the year’s biggest upsets, knocking off Miami. WR Chris Bell may have cemented himself as a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Their defense was outstanding, holding Miami to just 63 rushing yards and forcing four turnovers.

4. Virginia (6-1, 3-0)

Tony Elliott’s Cavaliers have been one of the best stories in college football. After years of struggle, they’re now 6-1 and playing with real confidence. They fought off Washington State with a 12-point fourth quarter to seal the win.

5. SMU (5-2, 3-0)

Rhett Lashlee’s squad was 2-2 entering October but has now won three straight ACC games and looks like a completely different team. QB Kevin Jennings finally found his rhythm, piling up over 300 yards of offense in a 35-24 win at Clemson.

6. Pittsburgh (5-2, 3-1)

The Panthers handled Syracuse 30-13 and have now won three straight after early losses to West Virginia and Louisville. 

7. California (5-2, 2-1)

Cal narrowly edged North Carolina to grab its fifth win. WR Jacob De Jesus hauled in 13 passes for 105 yards and a touchdown. Next up is Virginia Tech, which is allowing only 207 passing yards per game.

8. Duke (4-3, 3-1)

Duke stayed close with Georgia Tech but gave up 17 unanswered in the fourth quarter for its first conference loss. Before that, the Blue Devils had won three straight while averaging 42 points per game.

9. NC State (4-3, 1-2)

The Wolfpack had a bye after a rough outing against Notre Dame, where they allowed nearly 500 yards and turned it over three times. RB Hollywood Smothers managed only 46 yards.

10. Wake Forest (4-2, 1-2)

Wake Forest was also off this week but dominated Oregon State last time out. The Deacons have won two straight and now host SMU in Winston-Salem.

11. Stanford (3-4, 2-2)

The Cardinal edged Florida State on a late goal-line stop. RB Cole Tabb rushed for 107 yards and was one of the few offensive bright spots. Two quarterbacks combined to go 12-of-25 for 161 yards and one interception.

12. Clemson (3-4, 2-3)

With Cade Klubnik sidelined by an ankle injury, Chris Vizzina stepped in and played well despite the loss to SMU. He threw for 317 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions.

13. Syracuse (3-4, 1-3)

The Orange were rolling until QB Steve Angeli suffered a season-ending injury. Since then, the offense has stalled and the team has not found a way to win.

14. Virginia Tech (2-5, 1-2)

The Hokies were idle after falling to Georgia Tech. QB Kyron Drones continues to flash dual-threat ability with over 250 total yards in that defeat.

15. North Carolina (2-4, 0-2)

UNC entered ACC play 2-2 but dropped both conference games to Clemson and Cal. The hoped-for Belichick magic has not materialized, and the team looks flat.

16. Florida State (3-4, 0-4)

Florida State opened the season with an upset of Alabama but has not won an ACC game in 13 months. QB Thomas Castellanos took a big hit late in the Stanford loss and could miss significant time.

17. Boston College (1-6, 0-4)

The Eagles are winless in the ACC, with their only victory coming over Fordham in Week 1. They fell to UConn by 15 and face Louisville and Notre Dame next, both likely tough losses.

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