ACC Football Power Rankings: Miami Separates From The Pack

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Oct 4 2025 Louisville Kentucky USA Virginia Cavaliers quarterback Chandler Morris 4 looks to pass against the Louisville Cardinals during the second half at LN Federal Credit Union Stadium Virginia defeated Louisville 30 27 Mandatory Credit Jamie Rhodes Imagn Images

The ACC remains college football’s most volatile conference, with Week 7’s results bringing the championship picture into clearer focus. Miami got a big rivalry win over FSU at Doak Campbell, and the Virginia Cavaliers now own the best conference record, thanks to a second straight overtime victory. Meanwhile, former bottom-feeders, Clemson and Pitt, delivered massive blowout wins to climb out of the basement.

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College Football Viewing Guide, Week 7!

Week 6 ACC Scoreboard Highlights

  • Miami 28, Florida State 22 (Hurricanes win top-20 rivalry showdown)
  • Virginia 30, Louisville 27 (OT) (Cavaliers win third straight ACC game in overtime)
  • Duke 45, California 21 (Blue Devils dominate Cal on the road)
  • Pitt 48, Boston College 7 (Panthers bench QB and explode on offense)
  • Clemson 38, North Carolina 10 (Tigers get a massive bounce-back win while UNC searches for answers)
  • SMU 31, Syracuse 18 (Mustangs secure their first ACC win)
  • Wake Forest 30, Virginia Tech 23 (Deacons get a much-needed victory)
  • NC State 56, Campbell 10 (Wolfpack handle their non-conference FCS tune-up)
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Oct 4 2025 Chapel Hill North Carolina USA North Carolina Tar Heels fan holds up a sign in the second quarter at Kenan Stadium Mandatory Credit Bob Donnan Imagn Images

ACC Power Rankings

  1. Miami Hurricanes (5-0, 1-0 ACC) Miami earned the top spot by going into Tallahassee and defeating rival Florida State 28-22. QB Carson Beck delivered a turnover-free performance, and the defense made key plays late. The Hurricanes are the clear frontrunner now. Next Week: Bye
  2. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (5-0, 2-0 ACC) The Yellow Jackets had a bye week after their 5-0 start. They move up solely because the team below them lost. Georgia Tech is still undefeated and a massive threat in the conference. Next Week: vs. Virginia Tech
  3. Virginia Cavaliers (5-1, 3-0 ACC) The Cavaliers are playing with house money! They pulled off their second straight overtime win, defeating Louisville 30-27. Virginia now owns a 3-0 conference record—the best in the ACC—and is a legitimate dark horse contender. Next Week: Bye
  4. Duke Blue Devils (4-2, 3-0 ACC) Duke is surging, dominating California 45-21 to also move to 3-0 in ACC play. The Blue Devils’ defense shut down Cal after the first quarter, giving them impressive wins over Syracuse and Cal. Next Week: Bye
  5. Louisville Cardinals (4-1, 1-1 ACC) A brutal overtime loss to Virginia, 30-27, hands the Cardinals their first loss of the season. The defense is strong, but losing a home conference game drops them out of the top tier. Next Week: Bye
  6. Florida State Seminoles (3-2, 0-2 ACC) The Seminoles drop to the bottom half of the conference after the 28-22 loss to Miami. Now sitting at 0-2 in ACC play, FSU’s margin for error is gone. Next Week: vs. Pitt
  7. Pittsburgh Panthers (3-2, 1-1 ACC) Pitt made the biggest shakeup outside of the top three. Battering Boston College 48-7 after benching their starting QB shows this team has talent and resolve. With a 1-1 conference record, they’re back in the conversation. Next Week: at #25 Florida State
  8. SMU Mustangs (3-2, 1-0 ACC) SMU earns its first ACC victory, beating Syracuse 31-18. The Mustangs are still a dangerous offensive team and, at 1-0 in league play, they remain a factor. Next Week: vs. Stanford
  9. Clemson Tigers (2-3, 1-2 ACC) The Tigers finally looked like Clemson, crushing North Carolina 38-10 on the road. The win gives them their first conference victory and starts the difficult climb back into the picture. Next Week: at Boston College
  10. NC State Wolfpack (4-2, 1-2 ACC) The Wolfpack got a guaranteed win over Campbell, 56-10, to improve their record. However, their 1-2 conference record keeps them down here. Next Week: at #16 Notre Dame
  11. California Golden Bears (4-2, 1-1 ACC) Cal’s incredible start hit a major snag with a 45-21 home loss to Duke. They showed they aren’t ready for the elite tier yet, but the 4-2 record is still better than most pundits forecasted preseason. Next Week: Bye
  12. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (3-2, 1-2 ACC) The Deacons earn a gutsy 30-23 win over Virginia Tech, giving them a much-needed victory to keep them relevant. Next Week: at Oregon State
  13. Syracuse Orange (3-3, 1-2 ACC) Life without their starting quarterback continues to be brutal. The Orange lost their second straight to a power opponent, falling to SMU 31-18. Next Week: Bye
  14. Virginia Tech Hokies (2-4, 1-1 ACC) The Hokies fall to Wake Forest, 30-23, showing inconsistency just as they seemed to be turning the corner. Their defense has struggled to hold leads. Next Week: at Georgia Tech
  15. Stanford Cardinal (2-3, 1-1 ACC) Stanford had a bye week after their close call win against San Jose State. They need to find a way to compete in the meat of their schedule. Next Week: at SMU
  16. North Carolina Tar Heels (2-3, 0-1 ACC) The bottom continues to fall out for the Tar Heels. A 38-10 home loss to a struggling Clemson team shows how far away they are from being competitive. Next Week: Bye
  17. Boston College Eagles (1-4, 0-3 ACC) The Eagles are in crisis after the 48-7 blowout loss to Pitt. Next Week: at Pitt
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Lee Bushkell