Week 6 is in the books, leaving just two ACC teams still unbeaten and four ranked in the latest AP Poll. Miami looks stronger than ever with its sights on the College Football Playoff, while Georgia Tech looms as a potential spoiler later in the year.
1. Miami (5-0, 1-0)
Miami continues to impress with a dominant win over Florida State, moving up to No. 2 in the AP Poll. The Seminoles closed the gap late, but Miami controlled the game throughout. Carson Beck completed 20 of 27 passes for 241 yards, 4 touchdowns, and no turnovers. On defense, the Hurricanes forced two interceptions and added two sacks on Thomas Castellanos.
2. Georgia Tech (5-0, 2-0)
Idle this week but still climbing. The Jackets moved up four spots to No. 13 and remain one of just two undefeated ACC teams.
3. Virginia (5-1, 3-0)
At 5–1, Virginia has already matched its win total from each of the past two seasons. After upsetting Florida State last week, the Cavs followed with an overtime win over Louisville and are now ranked No. 19.
4. Duke (4-2, 3-0)
The Blue Devils are rolling with three straight wins over ACC opponents, outscoring them 128-57. After opening September 0-2, Duke has blown out NC State, Syracuse, and California.
5. Florida State (3-2, 0-2)
Two straight ACC losses have put the Seminoles in an early conference hole. Their season hinges on whether QB Thomas Castellanos can find consistency and cut down on turnovers.
6. Louisville (4-1, 1-1)
The Cardinals fell for the first time this season in overtime against Virginia. QB Miller Moss threw three touchdowns but also a costly pick-six.
7. California (4-2, 1-1)
Cal blew a 21-7 lead at home versus Duke and gave up 38 unanswered points to fall to 4-2. After starting 3-0, they’ve now lost two of their last three and look more like a middle-tier team than a sleeper.
8. NC State (4-2, 1-2)
The Wolfpack routed FCS Campbell 56-10 behind RB Hollywood Smothers. At 4-2, they’ll need Smothers to be at his best next week in South Bend to pull off the upset.
9. Pittsburgh (3-2, 1-1)
Pitt rolled Boston College 48–7 for its third win. The offense is averaging 41 points per game, but most of that production has come against weak opponents, so it is still tough to know how good Pat Narduzzi’s Panthers really are.
10. SMU (3-2, 1-0)
At 3–2, SMU’s résumé lacks punch. Wins are over Texas A&M Commerce, Missouri State, and a Syracuse team without its starting quarterback. Expectations of being a top-25 threat look premature.
11. Wake Forest (3-2, 1-2)
The Deacons bounced back from a heartbreaking loss to Georgia Tech by edging Virginia Tech 30-23. They sit 3-2 with Oregon State next, then a stretch of four straight ACC games.
12. Clemson (2-3, 1-2)
After a 1-3 start, Clemson got right with a 38-10 rout of UNC. The Tigers can get back to .500 with a win over Boston College next week.
13. Stanford (2-3, 1-1)
The Cardinal were idle this week. Their last outing was a 30-29 win over San Jose State. At 2-3, their lone ACC victory came against Boston College.
14. North Carolina (2-3, 0-1)
Bill Belichick’s tenure has started rough, with two of the ugliest losses of the season. UNC gave up 28 points in the first quarter against Clemson and are now 2-3.
15. Virginia Tech (2-4, 1-1)
The Hokies had won two in a row before falling at Wake. Interim coach Philip Montgomery has them playing harder, and they could be a spoiler down the stretch.
16. Syracuse (3-3, 1-2)
Life without QB Steve Angeli has been brutal. Since his Achilles injury, the Orange have dropped two straight by a combined 69–21. It is hard to see this team finding more than one or two wins the rest of the way.
17. Boston College (1-4, 0-3)
The Eagles sit at 1-4 and were recently hammered by Pitt 48-7. The Eagles turned it over three times, gave up 503 yards, and allowed Pitt to convert on three fourth downs and nine third downs.
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