The ACC power rankings after Week 1 place the Miami Hurricanes at the summit, their victory over Stanford underscoring a strong start to the season and setting the tone for a conference where early momentum can reshape the standings.
Early Season Shifts in the ACC
Pittsburgh Panthers surged to fifth place after a dominant performance against Central Florida, while Duke Blue Devils climbed to twelfth, limiting Tulane to just ten first downs and showcasing a disciplined defensive approach.
SMU Mustangs moved into second position following a road win over UC‑Davis, with a particular focus on improving red‑zone efficiency, and Virginia Cavaliers remained third after a straightforward victory over Norfolk State, preparing for an October showdown with West Virginia.
Louisville Cardinals slipped from fourth after a loss to Villanova, missing an opportunity against Ole Miss, while Virginia Tech Hokies stayed seventh, encouraged by a balanced offensive showing in a win over Old Dominion.
Wake Forest Demon Deacons improved their standing after handling a MAC opponent, though penalties proved problematic against Akron, and North Carolina Tar Heels held thirteenth place after a well‑rested victory over East Tennessee State, having returned from a trip to Ireland.
Clemson Tigers dropped sharply to thirteenth after a loss to Georgia Southern, putting their next game under intense scrutiny, while Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets fell from sixth to fourteenth, highlighting ongoing offensive struggles after a defeat by Tennessee.
California Golden Bears slid from ninth to eleventh after a loss to Syracuse, raising concerns about player protection, and Florida State Seminoles remained stuck at fourteenth after their own setback, now facing a challenging matchup against Alabama next week.
Syracuse Orange improved their ranking after a strong performance against California, aiming for a conference win, while Boston College Eagles dropped from seventeenth after a loss to Rutgers, still working to recover from a 2‑10 season.